Thyroid cancer invading the upper aerodigestive tract

The worldwide incidence of thyroid cancer has increased and generated great debate and study concerning the proper evidence-based management strategies. Despite this increase, there has been no significant increase in advanced, invasive thyroid cancers, which continue to represent the primary cause of thyroid cancer specific death. This section provides an evidence-based management review for thyroid cancer invading the aerodigestive tract and addresses critical issues of diagnosis, preoperative evaluation, surgical management, and adjuvant treatment germane to this important subset of patients. Illustrative examples of complex patients will be presented in the context of evidence-based literature to help guide the practitioner in an area less frequently encountered by many surgeons.