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Horm Metab Res 2010; 42(1): 61-64
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1238294
Humans, Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Chemotherapy with Paclitaxel and Gemcitabine in Progressive Medullary and Thyroid Carcinoma of the Follicular Epithelium

A. Matuszczyk1 , S. Petersenn1 , W. Voigt2 , T. Kegel2 , H. Dralle3 , H-J. Schmoll2 , A. Bockisch4 , K. Mann1
  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Division of Laboratory Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, University Martin-Luther Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
  • 3Department of Surgery, University Martin-Luther Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
  • 4Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Publication History

received 21.05.2009

accepted 14.08.2009

Publication Date:
04 September 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Nine patients (mean age 53) with metastasizing, progressive, medullary (MTC), thyroid carcinoma and progressive, nonradioiodine accumulating thyroid carcinoma of the follicular epithelium (follicular carcinoma, FTC and papillary carcinoma, PTC) were treated with a combination of paclitaxel and gemcitabine between 2004 and 2006. Tumors were histologically classified as follicular in 5 patients (56%), as papillary in 2 patients (22%), and medullary in 2 patients (22%). Paclitaxel (90–100 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (1 000 mg/m2) were applied for two, three, or 6 cycles every three weeks, depending on response and side effects. The effect of therapy was evaluated by radiographic imaging (CT images) and [18F]FDG-PET. All patients with papillary, follicular, or medullary thyroid carcinoma had continuous progression during restaging 14.8±8.8 weeks after initiation of chemotherapy, including one patient with stable disease after 3 cycles, but continuous progression after 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Paclitaxel and gemcitabine are not a valid chemotherapy option, in particular in patients with progressive, nonradioiodine-accumulating follicular thyroid carcinoma, who were already treated by other chemotherapeutic agents.

Key words

neoplasm - effect of therapy - malignant disease - endocrine tumor

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Correspondence

Dr. A. Matuszczyk

Hufelandstraße 55

45122 Essen

Phone: +49/201/723 32 35

Fax: +49/201/723 59 72

Email: Anna.Matuszczyk@gmx.de