[Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid gland]

Between 1969-1984 (16 years) 17 patients with "malignant haemangioendothelioma" of the thyroid were admitted to our services. This type of cancer is usually found in patients with a long history of goiter and is a very aggressive tumor. Infiltration of surrounding tissues is mostly responsible for death by asphyxia or uncontrollable bleeding. Some patients die also from metastases, which were seen frequently in the lungs. A precise preoperative diagnosis of the disease can be achieved rarely, histological classification has improved using immunohistochemical assays of Factor-VIII antigen in tumor tissue. No "prescription" for therapy can be given: results of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy do not show significant differences (also in a variety of combinations). If the diagnosis is properly established, palliation will be the only therapeutic goal.