Treatment and diagnostics for abroad

Anaplastic cancer is very rare: less than 2% of patients with thyroid cancer. People who are diagnosed with this disease are usually over 60 years old. Although the overall life expectancy statistics are very low (on average, people with this cancer live no longer than 6-12 months), it is important to note that there are patients who have lived for more than 5 years. Advanced treatment of anaplastic cancer abroad using new targeted drugs has improved the overall picture of survival.

Examination before treatment of anaplastic cancer abroad

A biopsy is performed to diagnose anaplastic cancer. A tissue sample is taken using a thin or thick needle (depending on the required amount of tissue for analysis). After confirming the diagnosis, the patient undergoes additional imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, CT, PET-CT) to determine the tumor parameters and the presence of metastases.

Treatment of anaplastic cancer abroad

Due to the high risk of anaplastic cancer spreading to neighboring tissues, this disease is often considered inoperable. Therefore, patients are prescribed chemical, radiation, or combined chemoradiotherapy as their primary treatment.

In clinics abroad, when diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer, doctors prescribe new drugs, for example, Bortezomib. The apoptosis-inducing ligand TRAIL (refers to factors that provoke tumor necrosis) is available to patients in clinical trials, as it is still in the research process. Fosbretabulin has also shown good results in clinical trials. This drug selectively destroys tumor blood vessels.

Treatment of operable anaplastic cancer abroad

If the cancer has not spread beyond the neck, surgical removal of the tumor followed by radiation therapy is prescribed. If possible, the operation is performed minimally invasively, using a laparoscope or a robotic system. Irradiation is also carried out by modern methods (three-dimensional conformal, intensively modulated therapy, proton therapy), which direct radiation to cancer cells with high accuracy.

Chemotherapeutic drugs used for anaplastic thyroid cancer include taxanes, anthracyclines, and Cisplatin or Carboplatin. In some cases, procedures are prescribed to reduce the symptoms and side effects of therapy. Such methods include cleaning the respiratory tract through tracheostomy or prescribing painkillers.