Abstract:

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is the most aggressive thyroid tumor, with lower morbidity and higher mortality rates. Radical surgery could improve local control and survival rates. Conformal radiotherapy is superior to conventional radiotherapy, which could improve the patients’ quality of life. There are a few chemotherapeutic drugs against ATC, and the outcome of chemotherapy alone is modest. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy can prolong the survival. Targeted therapy brings new hope for refractory patients. Many cancer centers are exploring surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and other biological treatment of comprehensive application, in order to enhance the curative effect. This article reviewed the foregoing treatments for ATC.

Key words: Anaplastic thyroid cancer, Surgery, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Targeted therapy