Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a clinician's perspective. Issue 2 (24th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tong, Junyu; Ruan, Maomei; Jin, Yuchen; Fu, Hao; Cheng, Lin; Luo, Qiong; Liu, Zhiyan; Lv, Zhongwei; Chen, Libo
• Is Part Of: European thyroid journal. Volume 11:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03-24
• Subjects: poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma -- PDTC; Thyroid gland -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thyroid Diseases -- Periodicals; 612.44
• DOI: 10.1530/ETJ-22-0021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2235-0640

Abstract

Abstract : Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a rare thyroid carcinoma originating from follicular epithelial cells. No explicit consensus can be achieved to date due to sparse clinical data, potentially compromising the outcomes of patients. In this comprehensive review from a clinician's perspective, the epidemiology and prognosis are described, diagnosis based on manifestations, pathology, and medical imaging are discussed, and both traditional and emerging therapeutics are addressed as well. Turin consensus remains the mainstay diagnostic criteria for PDTC, and individualized assessments are decisive for treatment option. The prognosis is optimal if complete resection is performed at early stage but dismal in nearly half of patients with locally advanced and/or distant metastatic diseases, in which adjuvant therapies such as 131 I therapy, external beam radiation therapy, and chemotherapy should be incorporated. Emerging therapeutics including molecular targeted therapy, differentiation therapy, and immunotherapy deserve further investigations to improve the prognosis of PDTC patients with advanced disease.