GREAT CERVICAL VEIN INVASION OF THYROID-CARCINOMA

Intraluminal tumor thrombus in great cervical veins as a result of thy roid carcinoma is extremely rare. Three patients (2 Hurthle cell, 1 pa pillary carcinoma) were surgically treated for thyroid carcinoma assoc iated with tumor thrombus in the great cervical veins. Tumor thrombus in the internal jugular vein due to extension of thyroid carcinoma was found in these 3 patients. Segmental resection of the internal jugula r vein was performed in all cases and a tumor thrombectomy from subcla vian vein was accomplished in 1 patient. Histological examination veri fied intraluminal tumor thrombus resulting from invasion of thyroid ca rcinoma in all patients. The postoperative follow-up period ranged fro m 1 to 2 years. Of 2 patients undergoing completion thyroidectomy, 1 d ied of distant metastasis, the other underwent reoperation for local r ecurrence. The patient who had a definitive primary surgical procedure is free of recurrence. Appropriate initial surgical procedure in rare cases of thyroid carcinoma associated with intraluminal tumor thrombu s in great cervical veins seems to improve the clinical outcome of the disease.