Anlotinib combined with Sintilimab is win-win cooperation for primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (PSCCT) is a rare malignant tumor. The incidence rate of PSCCT is less than 1%. However, the diagnosis and treatment of PSCCT are limited. Surgical resection is considered to be one of the few effective intervention methods. In this article, we reported a case of taking tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for PSCCT. CASE SUMMARY: An 80-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea, cough, wheezing, and hoarseness for a giant thyroid mass. He underwent bronchoscopy and tracheal stent implantation to alleviate the respiratory obstruction. Then he accepted right partial thyroid and right lymph node biopsy. Postoperative pathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Subsequently, he underwent an endoscopy to exclude upper gastrointestinal squamous cell carcinoma. Finally, he was diagnosed with PSCCT. The patient was tentatively treated with a combination of Anlotinib and Sintilimab. After two courses, the tumor volume significantly reduced in MRI images and shrank further after five courses of combined treatment. Unfortunately, the patient died of fulminant liver failure and autoimmune liver disease after 5-month-treatment. CONCLUSION: TKIs combined with ICIs may be an effective and novel way for PSCCT treatment, but immune-related complications, especially liver damage, should be cared.