The association between thyroid carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis: the ultrasonographic and histopathologic characteristics of malignant nodules

Coexistence of papillary thyroid cancer and Hashimoto thyroiditis in children: report of 3 cases

This report documents 3 pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma cases with associated Hashimoto thyroiditis. In all 3 cases, hypoechoic nodules accompanied by multiple echogenic spots were noted on sonography of the thyroid. Hashimoto thyroiditis was suspected on the basis of positive thyroid autoantibody test results and pathologic examinations of thyroidectomy specimens, which revealed chronic thyroiditis with lymphocytic infiltration as the background of papillary thyroid carcinoma development. The potential for papillary carcinoma development warrants close follow-up, and meticulous sonographic examinations must be performed in children with Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Heterogeneous echogenicity of the thyroid parenchyma does not influence the detection of multi-focality in papillary thyroid carcinoma on preoperative ultrasound staging

Heterogeneous echogenicity and micro-nodulations of diffuse thyroid disease on ultrasonography (US) might influence the diagnostic performance of pre-operative US staging, especially the detection of multi-focality. This study was designed to determine whether heterogeneous echogenicity of the thyroid parenchyma influences the diagnostic performance of US in the detection of multi-focality in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Between December 2010 and April 2011, 811 patients underwent pre-operative staging US for papillary thyroid carcinoma and surgery. Twelve radiologists performed the pre-operative US for T and N staging. Underlying parenchymal echogenicity and unilateral and bilateral multi-focality of the thyroid nodules were also evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the underlying echogenicity of the thyroid gland. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of US with respect to underlying echogenicity, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were calculated and compared between the two groups. Among the 811 patients included, US revealed underlying heterogeneous echogenicity of the thyroid parenchyma in 204 (25.2%) and underlying homogeneous echogenicity of the thyroid parenchyma in 607 (74.8%). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the diagnostic performance of pre-operative staging US in predicting unilateral multi-focality and bilaterality. Underlying heterogeneous echogenicity in a thyroid gland with Hashimoto's thyroiditis does not significantly influence the detection of multi-focality in papillary thyroid cancer on pre-operative US staging.

Repeat FNA Significantly Lowers Number of False Negative Results in Patients with Benign Nodular Thyroid Disease and Features of Chronic Thyroiditis

Purpose. The aim of the study was to compare the risk of thyroid malignancy and efficacy of repeat FNA in patients with thyroid nodules diagnosed cytologically as benign lesion (BL) with features of chronic thyroiditis (BL-CT) and BL without CT features (BL-nCT). Methods. The analysis included 917 patients with BL-CT and 7046 with BL-nCT in the first FNA. Repeat biopsy was carried out in 787 patients of BL-CT and 5147 of BL-nCT; 218 patients of BL-CT and 2462 of BL-nCT were operated; in 88 cases of BL-CT and 563 of BL-nCT both ways of follow-up were available. Results. Outcome of repeat cytology implied surgery more frequently in patients with BL-CT than with BL-nCT-3.2% versus 1.9%, P < 0.05. Incidence of cancer (including incidentalomas) was higher in patients with BL-CT operated after one benign cytology than in patients with two benign FNA outcomes: 10.8% versus 1.6%, P < 0.05. In patients with BL-nCT that difference was not significant: 3.2% versus 2.6%. Conclusions. Patients with thyroid nodules diagnosed as BL with CT features have higher risk of malignancy than patients with BL without CT features. Repeat biopsy significantly lowers percentage of FN results in patients with BL-CT in the first FNA.

Comparison of elastographic strain index and thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology in 631 thyroid nodules

CONTEXT

Ultrasound (US) elastography (USE) was recently been reported as a sensitive, noninvasive tool for identifying thyroid cancer. However, the accuracy of this technique is hampered by the intra- and interoperator variability, some US features of the nodule, and the coexistence of autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD).

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this article was to assess the accuracy of USE findings in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules compared with other US features to evaluate its feasibility in the presence of ATDs and identify the strain index (SI) cutoff with the highest diagnostic performance.

DESIGN

We evaluated 528 consecutive patients for a total of 661 thyroid nodules. All nodules underwent fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and USE evaluation. The SI was calculated as a ratio of the nodule strain divided by the strain of the softest part of the surrounding normal tissue.

RESULTS

The median SI value was significantly higher in THY4 and THY5 than in THY2 nodules in ATD-positive, ATD-negative, and ATD-unknown patients. The cutoff of SI for malignancy was estimated to be 2.905 by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in a screening set (379 FNAC results), and then tested in a replication set (252 FNAC results). In all cases, a SI value of ≥ 2.905 conferred to the nodule a significantly greater probability of being malignant. This SI cutoff had the greatest area under the curve, sensitivity, and negative predictive value, compared with the conventional US features of malignancy.

CONCLUSION

The elastographic SI has a high sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value for the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy both in the presence and in the absence of ATD. If our data on USE are also confirmed in THY3 nodules, FNAC could be avoided in a number of thyroid nodules with certain features.

Changes in the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of thyroid cancer in Korea over the past four decades

BACKGROUND

Thyroid cancer has increased globally, with a prominent increase in small, papillary thyroid cancers (PTC). The Korean population has a high iodine intake, high prevalence of BRAF V600E mutations, and family histories of thyroid cancer. We examined the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of thyroid cancers in Korean patients over four decades.

METHODS

The medical records of 4500 thyroid cancer patients, between 1962 and 2009 at a single center, including 3147 PTC patients, were reviewed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 46.8±13.2 years; women accounted for 82.9% of the patients, and the median follow-up duration was 4.8 years (mean 7.0±5.8 years, range 1-43 years). The number of patients visiting the clinic increased from 411 during 1962-1990 to 2900 during 2000-2009. Age at diagnosis increased from 39.6±12.9 to 48.6±12.4 years. The male to female ratio increased from 1:6 to 1:4.5. The proportion of small (<1 cm) tumors increased from 6.1% to 43.1%, and the proportion of cancers with lymph node (LN) involvement or extrathyroidal extension (ETE) decreased from 76.4% to 44.4% and from 65.5% to 54.8% respectively. Although there were decreases in the proportion of LN involvement and ETE, these decreasing rates were not proportional to the expected rates based on the decreased proportion of large tumors. The overall recurrence and mortality rates were 13.3% and 1.4%. The five-year recurrence rate significantly decreased (from 11% to 5.9%), and the five-year mortality also improved (from 1.5% to 0.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of thyroid cancer has rapidly increased, with a decrease in tumors of large size, LN involvement, and ETE, although the decreasing rates of LN involvement and ETE were not as prominent as decreasing rates of large size tumors. The mortality and recurrence rates have also decreased. Future long-term follow-up of patients diagnosed in the most recent decade is needed to confirm the prognostic characteristics of Korean PTC patients.

Risk factors associated with benign and malignant thyroid nodules in autoimmune thyroid diseases

Objectives. Assess the prevalence of thyroid nodules and predictors of malignant origin in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases. Patients and Methods. Retrospective study including 275 patients, 198 with Graves' disease and 77 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Clinical and demographical data, ultrasonographical nodule characteristics, total thyroid volume and histological characteristics were recorded. Results. Graves' disease: the prevalence of thyroid nodules and thyroid carcinoma were 27.78% and 5.05%, respectively. Older age (OR = 1.054; 95% CI = 1.029–1.080) and larger thyroid volumes (OR = 1.013; 95% CI = 1.003–1.022) increased the chance of nodules. Younger age (OR = 1.073; 95% CI = 1.020–1.128) and larger thyroid volume (OR = 1.018; 95% CI = 1.005–1.030) predicted thyroid carcinoma. Hashimoto's thyroiditis: the prevalence of thyroid nodules and carcinomas were 50.7% and 7.8%, respectively. Nodules were predicted by thyroid volume (OR = 1.030; 95% CI = 1.001–1.062). We found higher number of nodules in patients with thyroid carcinoma than in those with benign nodules (3 versus 2; P = 0.03). Patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis presented nodules more frequently than patients with Graves' disease (50.65% versus 27.28%; P < 0.001), while the prevalence of carcinoma was similar (P = 0.751). Conclusions. Larger goiter was associated with carcinoma in Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Younger patients presented higher risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma in Graves' disease. The prevalence of carcinoma was similar in both conditions.

Higher TSH level is a risk factor for differentiated thyroid cancer

OBJECTIVES

Higher thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are associated with differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC). To validate this association, we compared TSH levels obtained from euthyroid patients with DTC with TSH levels from controls in the general population.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

The case group included 1759 patients with DTC, who underwent thyroid surgery at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital. The control group (n = 1548), who had participated in the Thyroid Disease Prevalence Study were used as a healthy control group. The subjects were divided into four groups of similar size according to their TSH levels, with the first quartile used as a reference group.

RESULTS

The mean TSH level of the case group was significantly higher than the mean TSH level of the control group (1.95 ± 0.9 mIU/l vs 1.62 ± 0.8 mIU/l, P < 0.001), and was associated with DTC risk. Multiple logistic regression, after controlling for age, gender and the presence of a family history of thyroid cancer, showed that the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the second, third and fourth quartiles of TSH levels were 1.27 (1.03-1.57), 1.55 (1.25-1.92) and 2.21 (1.78-2.74) respectively. No significant differences were observed in mean TSH levels in patients with different tumour stages and tumour sizes.

CONCLUSION

Having a high TSH level within the normal range is an independent risk factor for DTC, and may contribute to the initiation of thyroid carcinogenesis. TSH levels in patients with thyroid nodules may be used as diagnostic adjuncts for the identification of high-risk patients, who require further investigation and/or surgical intervention.

The association between papillary thyroid carcinoma and histologically proven Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

No consensus exists on the association between papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). To resolve this controversy, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the two conditions using a meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched relevant published studies using citation databases including PubMed, Embase, and ISI Web of Science. The effect sizes of clinicopathologic parameters were calculated by odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference, or hazard ratio (HR). The effect sizes were combined using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight eligible studies including 10 648 PTC cases were selected. Histologically proven HT was identified in 2471 (23.2%) PTCs. HT was more frequently observed in PTCs than in benign thyroid diseases and other carcinomas (OR=2.8 and 2.4; P<0.001). PTCs with coexisting HT were significantly related to female patients (OR=2.7; P<0.001), multifocal involvement (OR=1.5; P=0.010), no extrathyroidal extension (OR=1.3; P=0.002), and no lymph node metastasis (OR=1.3; P=0.041). Moreover, PTCs with HT were significantly associated with long recurrence-free survival (HR=0.6; P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis showed that PTC is significantly associated with pathologically confirmed HT. PTC patients with HT have favorable clinicopathologic characteristics compared with PTCs without HT. However, patients with HT need to be carefully monitored for the development of PTC.

Influence of the measurement method of features in ultrasound images of the thyroid in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease

INTRODUCTION

This paper shows the influence of a measurement method of features in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease. Sensitivity of the algorithm to changes in the parameters of the ROI, namely shift, resizing and rotation, has been presented. The obtained results were also compared to the methods known from the literature in which decision trees or average gray level thresholding are used.

MATERIAL

In the study, 288 images obtained from patients with Hashimoto's disease and 236 images from healthy subjects have been analyzed. For each person, an ultrasound examination of the left and right thyroid lobe in transverse and longitudinal sections has been performed.

METHOD

With the use of the developed algorithm, a discriminant analysis has been conducted for the following five options: linear, diaglinear, quadratic, diagquadratic and mahalanobis. The left and right thyroid lobes have been analyzed both together and separately in transverse and longitudinal sections. In addition, the algorithm enabled to analyze specificity and sensitivity as well as the impact of sensitivity of ROI shift, repositioning and rotation on the measured features.

RESULTS AND SUMMARY

The analysis has shown that the highest accuracy was obtained for the longitudinal section (LD) with the method of linear, yielding sensitivity = 76%, specificity = 95% and accuracy ACC = 84%. The conducted sensitivity assessment confirms that changes in the position and size of the ROI have little effect on sensitivity and specificity. The analysis of all cases, that is, images of the left and right thyroid lobes in transverse and longitudinal sections, has shown specificity ranging from 60% to 95% and sensitivity from 62% to 89%. Additionally, it was shown that the value of ACC for the method using decision trees as a classifier is equal to 84% for the analyzed data. Thresholding of average brightness of the ROI gave ACC equal to 76%.

Shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules: feasibility in the case of coexistent chronic autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis

OBJECTIVE

ShearWave™ Elastography (SWE) is real-time, quantitative and user-independent technique, recently introduced in the diagnostic work-up of thyroid nodules. Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), characterized by variable degrees of lymphocytic infiltration and fibrosis, might affect shear wave propagation. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of SWE in cytologically benign thyroid nodules within both Hashimoto's and nonautoimmune thyroid glands. The effect of autoimmunity on the gland stiffness was also evaluated.

DESIGN

longitudinal study in a single centre.

PATIENTS

SWE was performed in 75 patients with a benign thyroid nodule at cytology: 33 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT group) and 42 with uni- or multi-nodular goitre, negative for thyroid autoimmunity (non-HT group).

RESULTS

The elasticity index (EI) of the extra-nodular tissue was greater, though not statistically significant, in the HT than in the non-HT group (24·0 ± 10·5 kPa vs 20·8 ± 10·4 kPa; P = 0·206). However, the EI of extra-nodular tissue was related to the TPOAb titre in the HT group (P = 0·02) and was significantly higher in patients with HT receiving L-thyroxine than in the euthyroid subjects (P = 0·02). The EI of thyroid nodules was similar in HT and non-HT groups. In both groups, the stiffness of nodules was significantly higher than that of the embedding tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that SWE correctly defines the elasticity of thyroid nodules independently from the coexistence of autoimmune thyroiditis, always being able to differentiate nodular tissue from the surrounding parenchyma. In HT, the stiffness of extra-nodular tissue increases in relation to both the thyroid antibody titre and the degree of impairment of thyroid function.

Classical and follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma: comparison of clinical, ultrasonographical, cytological, and histopathological features in 444 patients

Follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is the most common variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) after classical PTC (CPTC). In this study, we aimed to compare functional status, ultrasonographical features, cytological results, and histopathological characteristics of patients with CPTC and FVPTC. Preoperative thyroid functions, thyroid autoantibodies, ultrasonographical features, cytology, and histopathology results of 354 (79.9%) CPTC and 90 (20.3%) FVPTC patients were reviewed retrospectively. Sex distribution, mean age, thyroid autoantibody positivity, and thyroid dysfunctions were similar in two groups. Among 320 patients with preoperative ultrasonography (US) findings, a hypoechoic halo was observed more frequently (p=0.003), and marginal irregularity was observed less commonly (p=0.024) in FVPTC lesions. In CPTC, rate of malignant cytology (p=0.001), and in FVPTC, rate of suspicious cytology (p<0.001) were significantly higher. Histopathologically, mean tumor diameter was markedly higher in FVPTC compared to CPTC (16.89 ± 13.86 vs 10.64 ± 9.70 mm, p<0.001), while capsular invasion and extrathyroidal spread were significantly lower in patients with FVPTC (p=0.018 and p=0.039, respectively). FVPTC tend to have more benign features in US and less malignant results in cytology. Higher tumor size in FVPTC might be explained by the recognition of clinical importance of these lesions after reaching particular sizes due to benign US features.

Clinical and pathological implications of concurrent autoimmune thyroid disorders and papillary thyroid cancer

Cooccurrences of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) and thyroid cancer (DTC) have been repeatedly reported. Both CLT and DTC, mainly papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), share some epidemiological and molecular features. In fact, thyroid lymphocytic inflammatory reaction has been observed in association with PTC at variable frequency, although the precise relationship between the two diseases is still debated. It also remains a matter of debate whether the association with a CLT or even an autoimmune disorder could influence the prognosis of PTC. A better understanding about clinical implications of autoimmunity in concurrent thyroid cancer could raise new insights of thyroid cancer immunotherapy. In addition, elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in autoimmune disease and concurrent cancer allowed us to identify new therapeutic strategies against thyroid cancer. The objective of this article was to review recent literature on the association of these disorders and its potential significance.