The role of external beam radiation therapy in well-differentiated thyroid cancer

ABSTRACT

Introduction: This review article explores the use of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in well differentiated thyroid cancer.

Areas covered: The published literature on EBRT for advanced pT4 disease and macroscopic unresectable disease to improve locoregional control is reviewed. EBRT techniques, volumes and doses are discussed in detail. The potential acute and late toxicities of EBRT are discussed in the context of the published literature. The use of EBRT for patients with metastatic disease is also described.

Expert commentary: There is good retrospective evidence for EBRT in the setting of unresectable gross residual well-differentiated thyroid cancer as this can result in long-term local control. However, the benefit of EBRT in patients with locally advanced disease that is completely resected is less clear. The use of EBRT for these patients requires careful consideration of age, pathologic factors, comorbidities and patient preference, preferably by a multi-disciplinary team.

KEYWORDS:

• Radiotherapy
• external beam radiation
• thyroid cancer
• papillary thyroid carcinoma
• head and neck cancer

Declaration of interest

E Berthelet and J Wu have both received support in the form of research grants from Sanofi/Genzyme for their continuing medical education. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript has not been funded.