Anaplastic transformation of thyroid cancer: review of clinical, pathologic, and molecular evidence provides new insights into disease biology and future therapy
SM Wiseman, TR Loree, NR Rigual… - Head & Neck …, 2003 - Wiley Online Library
SM Wiseman, TR Loree, NR Rigual, WL Hicks Jr, WG Douglas, GR Anderson, DL Stoler
Head & Neck: Journal for the Sciences and Specialties of the Head …, 2003•Wiley Online LibraryBackground. Anaplastic thyroid cancer ranks among the most lethal of all human
malignancies. Its rarity and rapidly fatal course have made it a difficult cancer to both study
and treat. Unfortunately, there has been little progress in the management and control of this
malignancy. Anaplastic transformation, or the intratumoral evolution of anaplastic carcinoma
from pre‐existing differentiated thyroid cancer, has become a well‐accepted process,
despite a limited understanding of its underlying mechanisms. Methods. It is through review …
malignancies. Its rarity and rapidly fatal course have made it a difficult cancer to both study
and treat. Unfortunately, there has been little progress in the management and control of this
malignancy. Anaplastic transformation, or the intratumoral evolution of anaplastic carcinoma
from pre‐existing differentiated thyroid cancer, has become a well‐accepted process,
despite a limited understanding of its underlying mechanisms. Methods. It is through review …
Background
Anaplastic thyroid cancer ranks among the most lethal of all human malignancies. Its rarity and rapidly fatal course have made it a difficult cancer to both study and treat. Unfortunately, there has been little progress in the management and control of this malignancy. Anaplastic transformation, or the intratumoral evolution of anaplastic carcinoma from pre‐existing differentiated thyroid cancer, has become a well‐accepted process, despite a limited understanding of its underlying mechanisms.
Methods
It is through review of the literature that an understanding of the aggressive disease biology can be developed. The aim of this review is to evaluate the relevant clinical, pathologic, and molecular studies to develop an insight into the mechanisms that underlie the intratumoral molecular evolution of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
Results/Conclusion
It is based on an understanding of this process that effective treatments for this aggressive malignancy are currently being developed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 662–670, 2003
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