[Combined and extended operations in neglected cancer of the thyroid gland]

Under analysis were results of combined and extended operations undertaken in 40 of 520 patients with carcinoma of the thyroid. Such operations were found to be necessary due to the involvement of cervical and mediastinal organs. Wide cervical and cervico-sternal accesses were used. Organs of the cervix and mediastinum were resected in 23 patients, in 22 patients the cervical and retrosternal fatty tissues with metastases of the tumour were dissected bilaterally. The patients could endure such traumatic operations of large volume better if the operations were divided into two steps. Radical combined and extended operations resulted in survival longer than 10 years in 20 of 24 patients with neglected differentiated carcinoma.