Thyroidectomy and hypoparathyroidism in patients with pharyngoesophageal tumors

Abstract

Background: Total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy and gastric transposition (TPLEGT) for pharyngoesophageal (PE) tumors may require thyroidectomy (with or without removal of the parathyroid glands) to obtain adequate margins around the tumor. As a result, a considerable number of patients may have hypoparathyroidism (HP) develop. The objective of this article is to report our experience with different types of thyroidectomy and to describe the relationship of thyroidectomy to HP in TPLETG. These results are compared with data in the literature.

Methods: From 1985 to 2001, 40 patients underwent TPLEGT, with main index tumors in the esophagus (n = 17), hypopharynx (n = 17), and larynx (n = 6). All patients had advanced cTNM or pTNM stages (III or IV). Postoperative HP was diagnosed based primarily on the symptoms and calcium and phosphorus analysis but not on parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.

Results: Total thyroidectomy (TT) was done in 12 (30%) patients and 11 (91.6%) had permanent HP develop. In none of these patients was the parathyroid separated and implanted (fear of a tumor implant). Partial thyroidectomy (PT) (lobectomy and isthmus) was done in 25 (62.5%) patients, and permanent HP occurred in 11 (44%) patients. The thyroid was preserved in three patients, and none had HP develop. Of the 40 patients, 13 (32.5%) had no HP, five (12.5%) had temporary HP, and 22 (55%) had permanent HP. There was a correlation between the type of thyroidectomy, location of primary tumors, and development of HP. Only seven reports in the past 30 years have dealt with TPLEGT, thyroidectomy, and HP. HP occurred in 32.5% of the cases of TT and in 19.5% of the cases of PT.

Conclusions: Permanent HP was very frequent (55%) in our series. In patients who underwent TPLEGT, HP was almost certain when TT was done (91.6%). PT was no guarantee that HP would not occur (44% permanent HP). The frequency of permanent HP based on primary index tumors was 47%, 59%, and 66.6% for esophageal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer, respectively.