Anaplastic giant-cell carcinoma of the thyroid. A study of treatment and prognosis

In 79 cases of histologically verified anaplastic giant-cell carcinoma, symptoms, treatment, and prognosis were documented. Seventy-eight patients are dead, the mean survival time being 2.5 months. One patient is cured. It was concluded that surgery and/or radiotherapy alone are not sufficient. The results from an additional 8 patients also treated with methotrexate indicate a positive therapeutic effect, the mean survival time being 9.4 months. Disappearance of recurrent tumor or pulmonary metastases was noted in 2 patients.