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Challenges in the Management of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinomas: A Report of Three Cases
Medical Oncology Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Radiotherapy Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Radiotherapy Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Radiotherapy Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Radiotherapy Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Radiotherapy Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Medical Oncology Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Faculty of Medicine Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- 1 Medical Oncology Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- 2 Radiotherapy Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- 3 Radiotherapy Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- 4 Radiotherapy Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- 5 Radiotherapy Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- 6 Radiotherapy Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- 7 Medical Oncology Department, Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- 8 Faculty of Medicine Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Journal of Cancer Therapy·Volume 16 (2025)·Pages 117–124·Published 21 April 2025·DOI10.4236/jct.2025.164010
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Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATCs) represent the final dedifferentiated stage of thyroid tumors. This is a severe and potentially lethal malignancy in humans. The clinical presentation is often striking, characterized by a rapidly enlarging, invasive, and compressive cervical mass. The therapeutic strategy involves a multimodal approach that improves local control and survival. We present three cases of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: two men, aged 71 and 35, and one woman, aged 64, who were treated at the Cobalt Radiotherapy Unit. All three were referred after undergoing thyroidectomy and experienced rapid locoregional progression in the perioperative period. Their subsequent treatment included radiochemotherapy. Our objective is to illustrate the highly invasive nature and poor prognosis of this cancer.
KeywordsAnaplastic Thyroid CarcinomaMultimodal TreatmentChemoresistanceRadiotherapyMadagascar
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