Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid

Aims: To investigate the clinical features and treatment protocol of squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (SCCT). Method: Clinical records of four SCCT patients treated during 1985–99 were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated. Results: Two patients who underwent surgical excision plus radiotherapy died of local tumour recurrence, 6 and 13 months, respectively, post-operatively. One who accepted surgery only died 4 months later of respiratory distress. The fourth patient who had radical surgery coupled with radiotherapy and chemotherapy was disease-free at 26-month follow-up. Conclusion: SCCT is a very rare but highly malignant carcinoma. Early diagnosis and an aggressive radical surgery portend a better prognosis. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are secondary applicable methods for the patients with certain condition.