Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid

To investigate the clinical features and treatment protocol of squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (SCCT).

Clinical records of four SCCT patients treated during 1985--99 were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated.

Two patients who underwent surgical excision plus radiotherapy died of local tumour recurrence, 6 and 13 months, respectively, post-operatively. One who accepted surgery only died 4 months later of respiratory distress. The fourth patient who had radical surgery coupled with radiotherapy and chemotherapy was disease-free at 26-month follow-up.

SCCT is a very rare but highly malignant carcinoma. Early diagnosis and an aggressive radical surgery portend a better prognosis. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are secondary applicable methods for the patients with certain condition.