Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid: Report of Three Cases

• Published in: ENDOCRINE JOURNAL Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 359 - 364
• Main Authors: MAKAY, Ozer, KAYA, Tayfun, ERTAN, Yesim, ICOZ, Gokhan, AKYILDIZ, Mahir, YILMAZ, Mustafa, TUNCYUREK, Muge, YETKIN, Enis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japan The Japan Endocrine Society 2008
• Subjects: Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - therapy; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; Squamous cell carcinoma; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid Neoplasms - diagnosis; Thyroid Neoplasms - therapy; Thyroidectomy
• ISSN: 0918-8959; 1348-4540
• DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.K07E-102

We report three cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid, which is an unusual malignant tumor that needs to be distinguished from other thyroid pathologies due to its aggressive behaviour. Three men, with an average of 63 years old, presented with progressive enlargement in the neck, hoarse voice or weight loss. Physical and radiological examinations revealed clues where malignancy was suspected and surgical resections were performed. Histopathological examination of the specimens was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. Proper workup excluded the possibility of any primary site of SCC other than the thyroid. All patients died within 5 months. Adjuvant therapy evaluation is still inconclusive. Complete surgical resection still remains the primary choice for cure. We believe that radical resection with clear surgical margins followed by adjuvant chemo-radiation therapy is a curative strategy for achieving any chance of long-term survival.