Invasive papillary thyroid carcinoma

Papillary carcinoma, the most common malignant tumor of the thyroid, infrequently invades the upper aerodigestive tract (larynx, pharynx, trachea and esophagus). However, when invasion does occur, it is a source of significant morbidity and excess mortality; the method of treatment is controversial. In our opinion surgery is the primary treatment modality. Local invasion of the aerodigestive tract by this tumor can be successfully treated by total or subtotal thyroidectomy, excising malignant tissue while preserving function of aerodigestive tract structures. Adjuvant therapy using radioiodine or external beam radiotherapy should be considered integral to any treatment plan. We present our experience with 4 patients with invasive thyroid papillary carcinoma to the larynx, trachea and esophagus.