Tracheal invasion by thyroid carcinoma

Tracheal invasion may occur by direct extension of thyroid carcinoma. Follicular, papillary, mixed follicular and papillary, and poorly differentiated cell types have all been found to cause tracheal invasion [1,2]. Two cases of tracheal invasion by thyroid carcinomas prompted us to review the literature, although our review revealed little current data on tracheal invasion. We reviewed the records of all patients surgically treated for thyroid carcinoma at the University of Nebraska Medical Center from 1976 through 1987. The results of this review and our review of the literature on tracheal invasion are reported here. We conclude that thyroid carcinomas behave most aggressively in men and older patients. The more poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinomas have also been found to behave aggressively. Our findings show that en bloc resections are indicated in certain patients with tracheal invasion.