Results achieved in the treatment of carcinomas of the thyroid gland. Case reports collected between 1951 and 1982 at the Radiological Institute of Tuebingen

After statistical analysis of the results of treatment (drawn from case reports and data collected over 31 years, which were investigated for histological findings, five-year survival rates, sex and age distributions, formation of metastases), the author came to the following conclusions: 1) Total strumectomy was the most succesful method of treatment. 2) In papillary tumours, 131-radioiodine led to the best results that were quite independent of the patient's age. It is of particular note that no further metastases appeared in those cases where metastatisation could be kept under control for the first two years. 3) Controversial findings were revealed as to the therapeutic success in follicular carcinomas. 4) Huethle's oncocytoma rather appears to be of a benign nature, major therapeutic problems are posed by anaplastic tumours. Further surgical measures are recommended to be taken especially in tumours showing structural differentiation. (TRV)