USE OF A REMOTE-CONTROLLED RADIOTHERAPY AFTERLOADING SYSTEM TO MANAGEUNRESECTABLE, METASTATIC THYROID-CANCER IN THE TRACHEA

We treated a 66-year-old Japanese woman with metastasis from thyroid p apillary adenocarcinoma to mediastinal lymph nodes that obstructed the airway by its extensions towards the tracheal carina. Since the patie nt suffered from severe dyspnea, an endotracheal intubation was insert ed and edotracheal radiotherapy was done using a remote controlled aft erloading system. The obstruction mass in the trachea almost disappear ed and there has been no evidence of regrowth during a follow-up perio d of more than 3 years. The patient's management is now detailed.