Improved results of cervical reoperation for medullary thyroid carcinoma

The purpose of the study is to determine whether reoperation for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), performed with low morbidity in carefully selected patients, consistently results in improvement as determined by lowering of stimulated calcitonin levels.

Persistent or recurrent elevation of stimulated plasma calcitonin levels occurs in > 50% of patients after primary operation for MTC. Success of reoperation with clearance of metastatic cervical nodal disease has been hampered by failure to identify patients with distant metastases and by inadequate removal of involved nodal groups.

Since 1992, the authors have evaluated 115 patients with recurrent or residual MTC. Fifty-three patients have not undergone operation because of extent of disease, previous extensive treatment, medical condition, or patient choice. Sixty-two patients underwent surgery. Ten patients had laparoscopic or open examination of the liver, the results of which showed liver metastases. Seven patients had palliative debulking of cervical tumor. In 45 patients without evidence of distant metastases, cervical operation was carried out with curative intent. Removal of central, upper mediastinal, and lateral nodes (levels II, III, IV, VI, and VII) was done.

Seven of eight patients who had palliative resections are alive without symptoms. In patients who underwent curative resections, postoperative stimulated calcitonin levels were in the normal range in 17 patients (38%) and were not significantly lowered in 6 patients (13%). There were no deaths, and no transfusions were used.

These results are a significant improvement over the authors' previous series and reflect better preoperative identification of patients with disease confined to the neck and improved operative strategy based on knowledge of the pattern of nodal spread of MTC.