Argon-helium cryoablation treatment of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the thyroid: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma is an extremely rare malignant thyroid tumor. Thyroid sarcoma differs from common malignant thyroid tumors, such as thyroid follicular cell carcinoma. It is usually highly malignant, progresses rapidly, and is prone to remote metastasis. Currently, there is no standard protocol for the treatment of thyroid sarcomas, and most treatment effects are unsatisfactory. Argon-helium cryoablation is an important method of local treatment that is widely used in patients with unresectable advanced tumors. However, owing to the low incidence of thyroid sarcomas, there are no relevant literature reports on the treatment of thyroid sarcomas using cryoablation in China. This study reports the case of a patient with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the thyroid gland who was treated with argon-helium cryoablation, and the immediate outcome was good. Based on a review of relevant literature, we discussed the effectiveness and safety of argon-helium cryoablation treatment to provide clinical guidance and references for the treatment of patients with thyroid sarcoma.