Survival in anaplastic thyroid cancer in relation to pre-existing goiter: a population-based study

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether pre-existent goiter and well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) are associated with survival in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC).

METHODS: We analyzed medical records from 94 ATC patients, drawn from the Netherlands Cancer Registry, diagnosed in 17 hospitals between 1989 and 2009.

RESULTS: The 29 patients (31%) with pre-existent goiter, including 8 with WDTC, were younger than those without (median, 69 vs. 76 years; P = .02). One-year overall survival was 9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3% to 14%) with no difference between pre-existent goiter or not (overall survival, 14%; 95% CI, 1% to 26% vs overall survival, 6%; 95% CI, 0% to 13%]). Higher age was associated with a worse survival (hazard rate, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.06]), whereas the hazard to die was lower after surgery and/or radiotherapy (hazard rate, .37; 95% CI, .21 to .67 and hazard rate, .22; 95% CI, .12 to .41, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: ATC patients with pre-existent goiter were younger, yet survival was not significantly different between those with or without pre-existent goiter or WDTC.