Current status of chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the thyroid gland.

An extensive review of the literature was undertaken to identify single agents and chemotherapeutic combinations active against advanced thyroid carcinoma. The two most intensively studied agents were Adriamycin and bleomycin, both of which appear to have definite activity against advanced disease. Studies of 25 other single agents and 17 drug combinations were also reviewed but most of the studies suffered from extremely poor patient accrual, thus precluding statistical analysis. Two cooperative group protocols are in progress which will hopefully accrue enough patients for meaningful interpretation. Physicians treating advanced thyroid carcinoma patients are urged to participate in these studies.