Papillary thyroid carcinoma: modified radical neck dissection improves prognosis

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound for the Evaluation of Lateral Compartment Lymph Nodes in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

AIMS

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound (US) assessing the lateral compartment lymph node metastasis in patients with primary papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and to demonstrate the incidence and patterns of the lateral lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 198 patients with primary PTC who underwent thyroidectomy in addition to modified lateral neck dissections (MLND) involving level II to level V due to clinically positive lateral neck disease. A skilled and experienced single operator performed all US examinations. Surgical pathology results were accepted as the reference method and sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of US in detecting metastatic lymph nodes established using level-by-level analysis.

RESULTS

In the study cohort, 10.1% of the patients had lateral compartment lymph node metastases without any central compartment involvement. For the lateral compartment, 48.5% had level II, 74.7% had level III, 64.6% had level IV, and 29.3% of the patients had level V metastasis. None of the patients had isolated level V metastasis. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of US in identifying lateral lymph compartment metastasis ranged from 87% to 91.4%, 92% to 98.6% 92.4% to 96%, respectively. However, the sensitivity (74.7%) and diagnostic accuracy (76.2%) of US significantly decreased for the central compartment while specificity (90%) remained similar.

CONCLUSION

US performed by a skilled operator has an excellent diagnostic accuracy for the evaluation of lateral cervical lymph nodes in primary PTC; thus, might enable precise tailoring of the management strategies. Moreover, the high incidence of level V involvement favors MLND over selective approaches.

Relevance of level IIb neck dissection in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cervical nodal metastasis is a key prognostic factor in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. The role of lymph nodes in papillary thyroid carcinoma management and prognosis remains controversial.

METHODS

Level IIb lymph nodes obtained from 44 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were histopathologically examined retrospectively. Specimens were classified as ipsilateral or contralateral. The number of dissected nodes and prevalence of level IIb metastasis were compared according to pre-operative clinical nodal stage.

RESULTS

In the node-negative neck, the prevalence of contralateral and ipsilateral IIb nodes was 0 out of 20 and 0 out of 3, respectively. In the node-positive neck, the prevalence of contralateral and ipsilateral IIb nodes was 1 out of 13 (7.70 per cent) and 3 out of 41 (7.32 per cent), respectively. Clinically determined and pathologically confirmed level IIb node negativity were significantly associated. Thirty-four patients (77.3 per cent) developed accessory nerve complications from level IIb dissection.

CONCLUSION

Level IIb neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma may be required if pre-operative examination reveals multilevel, level IIa or suspicious level IIb metastasis.

Risk factors of suprasternal lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma with clinical lateral cervical lymph node metastasis

Background

Metastatic lymph nodes are occasionally found in suprasternal lymph nodes in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). However, limited studies have examined these lymph nodes thus far. Therefore, we investigated the frequency and risk factors of suprasternal lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis.

Methods

A total of 85 patients with cN1b PTC underwent total thyroidectomy, central neck dissection, and ipsilateral selective neck dissection including suprasternal lymph node dissection. We analyzed the correlation between suprasternal lymph node metastasis and sex, age, tumor characteristics, and cervical lymph node metastasis status.

Results

Eleven (12.9%) patients had pathological suprasternal lymph node metastasis. Suprasternal lymph node metastasis was associated with tumors located in the inferior pole of the thyroid gland and level IV lymph node metastasis (P=0.005 and 0.014, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that two or more level IV metastatic lymph nodes had the best predictive value for suprasternal lymph node metastasis (P<0.001).

Conclusions

In patients with cN1b PTC, especially those with tumors in the inferior pole of the thyroid gland or level IV lymph node metastasis, greater attention should be paid to the suprasternal lymph nodes and suprasternal lymph node dissection should be routinely included as part of selective neck dissection.

Comparison of ultrasonography and CT for preoperative nodal assessment of patients with papillary thyroid cancer: diagnostic performance according to primary tumor size

Background

Indications for computed tomography (CT) in preoperative patients with thyroid cancer are still controversial.

Purpose

To determine the value of CT and ultrasonography (US) in preoperative lymph node assessment of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) according to primary tumor size.

Material and Methods

A total 453 patients with surgically proven PTC who underwent US and CT for preoperative evaluation in 2010 at our tertiary referral center were included. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of US, CT, and the combination of US and CT (US/CT) in the preoperative nodal assessment were compared. We performed subgroup analysis to compare the findings according to primary tumor size.

Results

In overall tumors, adding CT to US had greater sensitivity, lower specificity, and greater accuracy in predicting central lymph node metastasis (LNM) but lower accuracy in prediction of lateral LNM. In smaller cancers (≤1 cm), US alone had greater specificity and accuracy than CT alone or US/CT in predicting lateral LNM. In larger cancers (>1 cm), CT had greater sensitivity and accuracy than US in predicting central LNM, while US had greater specificity and accuracy than CT in predicting lateral LNM. There were no patients with smaller tumors who showed retropharyngeal and superior mediastinal LNM diagnosed by CT alone.

Conclusion

CT is superior to US for detecting central LNM in preoperative patients with PTCs > 1 cm. However, there are no benefits to adding CT to US to predict lateral LNM in small cancers (≤1 cm).

Factors associated with distant metastasis in pediatric thyroid cancer: evaluation of the SEER database

Objectives Controversies regarding factors associated with distant metastasis in pediatric thyroid cancer remain among the scientific community. The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing distant metastasis in pediatric thyroid cancer. Methods We reviewed 1376 patients (aged 2 to 18 years) with thyroid cancer treated between 2003 and 2014. Data collected and analyzed included sex, race, age at diagnosis, year of diagnosis, pathological type, number of tumor foci, tumor extension, T-stage, N-stage, surgical procedure and radiation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate factors influencing distant metastasis of pediatric thyroid cancer. Results In the univariate analysis, factors influencing distant metastasis of thyroid cancer were age at diagnosis (P < 0.001), N-stage (P < 0.001), number of tumor foci (P = 0.003), tumor extension (P < 0.001) and T-stage (T1 vs T2 (P = 0.803), T3 (P < 0.001) and T4 (P < 0.001)). In multivariate analysis, factors influencing distant metastasis of thyroid cancer were age at diagnosis (P = 0.001), N-stage (P < 0.001) and T-stage (T1 vs T3 (P = 0.036) and T4 (P < 0.001)). Sex, race, year of diagnosis, pathological type, number of tumor foci, tumor extension, surgical procedure and radiation had no significant influence on distant metastasis (all P > 0.05). Furthermore, according to chi-squared test, younger pediatric thyroid cancer patients with higher T- and N-stages are more likely to have distant metastasis. Conclusion Age at diagnosis, T-stage and N-stage influence distant metastasis of thyroid cancer patients aged 2 to 18 years; accordingly, more radical treatments may need to be used for patients with those risk elements.

Nomogram for predicting level V lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma with clinically lateral lymph node metastases: A large retrospective cohort study of 1037 patients from FDUSCC

Objective: Extensive lateral neck dissection (LND), especially routine level V dissection, may potentially increase morbidity and have no significant benefit to survival in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Our study aimed to determine the pattern and risk factors for level V lymph node metastasis (LNM) and to develop an assessment model based on a nomogram for predicting whether level V dissection is necessary.

Methods: A total of 1037 PTC patients with clinically suspected LNM (N1b) who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) with central LND and unilateral LND from 2011 to 2015 were retrospectively retrieved. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine risk factors associated with level V metastasis. A nomogram for predicting level V metastasis was established and internally validated.

Results: The overall rate of level V metastasis was 21.3% (221/1037). Unilateral central LNM (CLNM), level II/III/IV metastasis, extra nodal extension (ENE) and lymph node (LN) size ≥2 cm were found to be independent predictive factors for level V metastasis (P<0.05). In the nomogram, ENE was confirmed as the largest contributor to scores, followed by LN size, unilateral CLNM and level IV/III/II metastasis. The discrimination of the prediction model was 0.738 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.703-0.773, P<0.001).

Conclusions: The rate of level V metastasis in N1b PTC patients was apparently lower than that of other levels. With the help of our nomogram, a modified lateral neck dissection encompassing levels II-V and a strictly postoperative evaluation may be indicated when the patient has a high score.

Clinicopathological significance of cancer-associated fibroblasts in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a predictive marker of cervical lymph node metastasis

PURPOSE

Most tumors have obvious biologically active fibroblasts known variously as myofibroblasts or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the stroma. CAFs have been known as an important factor of cancer invasion and metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the presence of CAFs in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and evaluate the correlation between CAFs and cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis in PTC through immunohistochemistry.

METHODS

The medical records of 128 patients who were diagnosed with PTC from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 were reviewed, and 78 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with or without neck dissection, were included in this study. A retrospective pathological evaluation was performed to verify the presence of CAFs. CD34 and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were used as markers of CAFs.

RESULTS

Among 78 patients with PTC, 65 had desmoplastic stromal reaction around the PTC. Through immunohistochemical study of anti-CD34 and α-SMA antibodies, CAFs were found in 42 (64.6%) cases with desmoplastic stroma around the PTC. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size and CAFs were the risk factors of LN metastasis in patients with PTC, while multivariate analysis revealed that CAFs were the only independent risk factor of LN metastasis in patients with PTC.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed the presence of CAFs in PTC. Furthermore, CAFs were found to be a risk factor of LN metastasis in PTC. Therefore, CAFs may be used as a predictive marker for LN metastasis in patients with PTC.

Using Ultrasonography to Evaluate the Relationship between Capsular Invasion or Extracapsular Extension and Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas

Background:

Previous studies have demonstrated that ultrasonography is the recommended imaging modality for preoperative staging of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). However, only a few studies have kept watch on preoperative evaluation of capsular invasion (CI) or extracapsular extension (ECE) and cervical lymph node metastasis using preoperative ultrasonography. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the CI or ECE and the cervical lymph node metastasis in PTCs using preoperative ultrasonography and postoperative pathology in Chinese patients.

Methods:

The data of preoperative ultrasonography and postoperative pathology of 166 patients who had a definitive diagnosis of PTCs from October 2011 to July 2014 at Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing were collected and reviewed. Preoperative ultrasonic parameters of thyroid nodules were compared with those of postoperative pathological diagnoses. All the patients were divided into bilateral PTCs group (n = 42, 78 nodules) and unilateral PTCs group (n = 124, 124 nodules), and the data of the nodule sizes, CI or ECE, and cervical lymph node metastasis by preoperative ultrasonography were compared between two groups.

Results:

A total of 202 nodules of 166 patients which were confirmed by preoperative ultrasonography and postoperative pathology were analyzed. Hypoechogenicity (n = 201, 99.5%) and irregular margins (n = 167, 82.7%) were the main ultrasonic characteristics of PTCs. A significant moderate agreement between preoperative ultrasonic examination and postoperative pathology for CI or ECE (κ = 0.622, P < 0.001) was observed. The diagnostic sensitivity was 92.0%, and specificity was 71.1%. In bilateral PTCs group, 81.0% had CI or ECE, and 61.9% had cervical lymph node metastasis. In unilateral PTCs group, 76.6% had CI or ECE, and 58.1% had cervical lymph node metastasis. There were no significant differences in the incidence of CI or ECE and cervical lymph node metastasis between two groups (all P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

Ultrasonography was proved to be a valuable method for preoperative diagnosis of PTCs. Hypoechogenicity and irregular margins were strongly associated with PTCs. CI or ECE in unilateral PTCs strongly implied the cervical lymph node metastasis. Therefore, the cervical lymph nodes should be carefully examined by ultrasonography in patients with PTCs.

Surgical Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer treatment is a complex multidisciplinary undertaking. Cancer cure and survival is a primary goal, yet safe-guarding appearance and function to preserve the quality of life are similarly critical. The head and neck surgeon remains central to multidisciplinary cancer care, with deep knowledge of operative technique and an even deeper understanding of cancer biology. The surgeon models practice based on the highest levels of scientific evidence, but also takes into consideration the approaches that may best suit an individual patient. The surgeon's role moreover spans the life history of a head and neck cancer patient, from diagnosis to surveillance. The intimacy of this role makes the surgeon a trusted and frequent frame of reference for the patient. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the surgeon's role in head and neck cancer management. We discuss surgical perspectives within the multidisciplinary care team and selectively highlight some of the more provocative clinical scenarios in the field.

Role of laminin 332 in lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The invasiveness of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), including the occurrence of cervical lymph node metastasis, is the main determining factors contributing to recurrence and poor prognosis. Laminin 332 is a glycoprotein involved in cell migration and cancer cell invasion into surrounding tissues and is therefore related to poor prognosis in many cancers. Here, we investigated the expression and role of laminin 332 in PTC and examine the possibility that laminin 332 could be involved in the invasiveness of PTC.

METHODS

Laminin 332 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining in all 40 patients. The correlations between laminin 332 expression and clinical factors were investigated. We examined the expression of the laminin 332 γ2 chain using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting in PTC cells and determined the relationship between the expression of laminin 332 and the invasiveness of these cell lines using cell invasion assays.

RESULTS

Laminin 332 was expressed specifically within tumor tissue. The frequency of laminin 332 γ2 chain expression was significantly correlated with cervical lymph node metastasis (​p=0.003). Invasiveness increased as the expression of laminin 332 γ2 increased in the tested PTC cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Laminin 332 expression may be a useful marker for predicting lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma, and could increase the ability of cancer cells to invade, which would influence the prognosis of patients with PTC.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography features of papillary thyroid carcinoma for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis

The present study was performed to evaluate the predictive value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for the risk of cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Between May 2014 and November 2016, 42 patients who received surgery for suspicious PTCs were enrolled in the present study. Each individual underwent CEUS with conventional ultrasound (US), preoperative US-guided fine needle aspiration and personalized surgery. Subsequently, the microvascular density (MVD) of all surgical specimens was measured. According to the results of surgical histopathology, individuals were divided into two groups: LNM⁺ (PTCs with LNM), and LNM⁻ (PTCs without LNM). Clinicopathological characteristics, CEUS enhancement patterns, perfusion parameters and measurements of MVD were compared. The correlation between quantitative variables and LNM was analyzed using Spearman's correlation analysis. Compared with that in the LNM⁻ group, patients in the LNM⁺ group were younger (P<0.05) and had a larger mean tumor size (P<0.05). The incidence ratio of patients who were ≤45 years old (P<0.05), tumors >10 mm in size (P<0.05) and capsular infiltration (P<0.05) were statistically higher in the LNM⁺ group. Following the use of a novel classification system, the ratio of PTCs with early partial hyper-enhancement was identified to be significantly higher in the LNM⁺ group (P<0.01). The mean intensity, intensity increase velocity, MVD ratio and mean intensity ratio of intratumoral/peripheral thyroid parenchyma (MIR) were statistically higher in the LNM⁺ group compared with that in the LNM⁻ group (all P<0.05). MIR was identified to be positive correlated with LNM (P<0.05). A MIR value of 0.86 was the optimal threshold of LNM in PTCs. In conclusion, LNM may rely on the local rich blood supply of PTC lesions. Partial hyper-enhancements of CEUS and higher values of MIR may suggest a high risk for LNM in PTC.

Long-term outcomes of central neck dissection for cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The risk-benefit ratio of central neck dissection (CND) in patients affected by papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) without clinical or ultrasonographic (US) evidence of neck lymph node metastasis (cN0) is currently debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term outcome of CND on locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis, survival, and postoperative complications in a large series of patients with cN0-PTC.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational retrospective controlled study.

METHODS

Clinical records of patients (n=610) surgically treated for cN0-PTC at the Otolaryngology Unit of the Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy, from January 1984 to December 2008, were retrospectively reviewed. Study population was divided into three groups according to surgical treatment: Group A, total thyroidectomy (n=205); Group B, total thyroidectomy and elective ipsilateral CND (n=281); Group C, total thyroidectomy and bilateral CND (n=124).

RESULTS

Of a total of 610 patients, 305 (50%) were classified as low-risk, 278 (45.57%) as intermediate-risk, and 27 (4.43%) as high-risk. Response to initial therapy was excellent in 567 patients (92.95%), acceptable in 21 (3.44%), and incomplete in 22 (3.61%), with no significant differences among groups. Locoregional recurrence was detected in 32 (5.2%) out of 610 patients. Distant metastasis was found in 15 patients (2.5%). Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in the rates of locoregional recurrence (p=0.890) or distant metastasis (p=0.538) among groups. Disease-specific mortality and overall survival did not significantly differ among groups (p=0.248 and 0.223, respectively). Rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism was significantly higher in Group C patients compared to those in Groups A and B.

CONCLUSION

CND does not confer any clear advantage in the treatment of low-risk patients, regardless of surgical procedure. Instead, bilateral CND may be effective in limiting disease relapse and/or progression in patients at higher prognostic risk. Our data indicate that elective CND does not confer any clear advantage in terms of locoregional recurrence and long-term survival, as demonstrated by outcomes of the study Groups, regardless of their different prognostic risk. Elective CND allows a more accurate pathologic staging of central neck lymph nodes, despite its increasing the risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism. Intraoperative pathologic staging is a valuable tool to assess the risk of controlateral lymph node metastasis in the central neck compartment and to limit more aggressive surgery only to cases, otherwise understaged, with lymph node metastasis.

Thyroglobulin Measurement in Fine-Needle Aspiration Improves the Diagnosis of Cervical Lymph Node Metastases in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is frequently associated with cervical lymph node metastases. Guidelines recommend performing ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for suspicious nodes to guide management. No specific recommendations are available for the use of FNA thyroglobulin assay (FNA-Tg). This study investigated the diagnostic value of performing FNAC and FNA-Tg.

METHODS

Patient demographics, preoperative investigations, surgery, and lymph node pathology were collected for patients with PTC who underwent lateral neck lymphadenectomy and central compartment reexploration from January 2000 to July 2015. Sensitivities and accuracies were obtained. Patients with both diagnostic studies performed were compared using McNemar's test of paired proportion. Patient, imaging, and lymph node characteristics were correlated with test accuracy.

RESULTS

The 480 patients in this study underwent 706 lateral neck dissections or central compartment reexploration. All the patients underwent preoperative neck ultrasound. Among these patients, FNAC alone was performed before 426 operations (60 %), FNAC with FNA-Tg before 105 operations (15 %), and surgery without biopsy for 175 patients (25 %). The sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy were respectively 96, 95, 100 % for FNAC, 99, 97, and 97 % for FNA-Tg, and 95, 92, and 97 % for FNAC in combination with FNA-Tg. In the subgroup of patients who had both tests performed, the sensitivity of FNA-Tg was superior to that of FNAC (95 vs 87 %; p = 0.04). The addition of FNA-Tg to FNAC increased the detection of metastatic PTC by 13 %.

CONCLUSIONS

For diagnosing cervical lymph node metastases in PTC, FNA-Tg is a valuable adjunct to FNAC. Its use should be considered to avoid missing metastatic disease in patients who may benefit from lymphadenectomy.

Risk factors analyses for lateral lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid carcinomas: a retrospective study of 356 patients

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Subjects and methods

356 patients diagnosed with PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection and lateral lymph node dissection between January 2005 and December 2011 were enrolled. The relation between LLNM and clinicopathological features such as gender, age, tumor size, tumor spread, psammoma bodies, tumor multifocality, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), unilateral or bilateral disease, tumor primary location and central lymph node metastases (CLNM) was analyzed.

Results

The rate of LLNM was 75.0%. In the univariate analysis, it was significantly associated with age, tumor size, tumor spread, extrathyroidal extension, primary tumor location and central lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). In contrast, in the multivariate analysis, it was significantly associated with primary tumor location, central lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05) and tumor size > 1.5 cm with p = 0.05 but was unrelated to the other factors.

Conclusion

Patients with PTC, with the primary tumor located in the upper part of the lobe and positive central compartment lymph node metastasis with a tumor size > 1.5 cm diameter are more likely to have LLNM. Therefore, more meticulous evaluations including the lateral lymph nodes should be performed before surgery.

Analysis of Risk Factors Contributing to Recurrence of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Chinese Patients Who Underwent Total Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer is a very common endocrine malignancy, with a rate of total thyroidectomy reported to be up to 27.8%. However, studies analyzing the risk factors that contribute to recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) after total thyroidectomy in China are still scarce. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 536 patients with PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with no recurrent tumor were included in group 1 and patients with tumor recurrence were included in group 2. RESULTS Of 536 patients, 65 patients (12.1%) developed a recurrence of PTC, and 471 patients (87.9%) did not have a recurrence. Univariate analysis indicated that male sex, age ≥50 years, tumor ≥1 cm, poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, bilaterality, and multifocality may be related to PTC recurrence. Additionally, the results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that male sex, age ≥50 years, primary tumor ≥1 cm, poor dedifferentiation of the tumor, lymph node metastasis, and multifocality may be independent factors contributing to PTC recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Male sex, age more than 50 years, primary tumor larger than 1 cm, poor dedifferentiation of the primary tumor, lymph node metastasis, and multifocality were found to increase the risk of PTC recurrence in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. Additionally, it is necessary to use strictly aggressive and extensive surgery, as well as close monitoring, after the operation.

Dissection of Levels II Through V Is Required for Optimal Outcomes in Patients with Lateral Neck Lymph Node Metastasis from Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Completeness of surgical resection is an important determinant of outcomes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and regional lymph node metastasis. The extent of therapeutic lateral neck dissection remains controversial. This study aims to assess the impact of modified radical neck dissection of levels II to V in a large patient series.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent lateral neck dissection at a single institution from June 1, 2006 to December 31, 2014 was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 241 lateral neck dissections were performed in 191 patients (118 [62%] women; median age 46 years [range 6 to 87 years]; median follow-up 14.3 months [range 0.1 to 107 months]). Overall, 202 initial neck dissections (195 modified radical neck dissections and 7 less extensive dissections) were performed. Among these initial dissections, 137 (68.8%), 132 (65.7%), 105 (52.0%), and 33 (16.9%) had positive lymph nodes in levels II, III, IV, and V, respectively. Ipsilateral lymph node persistence or recurrence occurred after 22 (10.9%) initial dissections, at level II in 10 (45.5%), level III in 8 (36.4%), level IV in 7 (31.8%), and level V in 3 (13.6%). Thirty-nine reoperative lateral neck dissection were performed, including 18 cases of persistence and recurrence after our initial dissections. In reoperative dissections, positive lymph nodes were confirmed in levels II, III, IV, and V in 18 (46.2%), 10 (25.6%), 13 (33.3%), and 5 (12.8%) dissections, respectively. Temporary nerve injury occurred in 6 (3.0%) initial and 4 (10.3%) reoperative dissections, respectively. There were no permanent nerve injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Omitting levels II and V during lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma potentially misses level II disease in two-thirds of patients and level V disease in one-fifth of patients. Formal modified radical neck dissection is necessary to avoid the morbidity of reoperative surgery.

High Risk of Lateral Nodal Metastasis in Lateral Solitary Solid Papillary Thyroid Cancer

We explored the relationship between ultrasonic intra-thyroidal location and neck node metastasis pattern in solitary solid papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Data on 186 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The association between several characteristics and neck node metastasis pattern were analyzed. Among the 186 thyroid nodules, age ≥45 y (p = 0.005), mass size ≥2 cm (p = 0.001), presence of calcifications (p < 0.001) and lateral nodal metastasis (p = 0.001) were significantly related to central nodal metastasis in multivariate analysis. Mass size ≥2 cm (p = 0.046) and central nodal metastasis (p = 0.002) were significantly related to lateral nodal metastasis in multivariate analysis. Location of an intra-thyroidal solitary solid PTC located non-adjacent to the trachea (lateral) was significantly related to lateral nodal metastasis (p = 0.043) compared with location of an intra-thyroidal solitary solid PTC adjacent to the trachea (medial or isthmus). Lateral lesions have a high risk of lateral nodal metastasis in solitary solid PTC.

A Meta-analysis of Central Lymph Node Metastasis for Predicting Lateral Involvement in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Whether central lymph node metastasis is a reliable indicator of lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma remains obscure. To investigate the value of central lymph node metastasis for predicting lateral compartment involvement, we performed a meta-analysis of published studies.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was completed, and the reference lists of the identified articles and prior relevant reviews were examined.

REVIEW METHODS

Two reviewers extracted data and assessed the quality of eligible studies independently. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were pooled through a random effects meta-analysis model.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies were eligible and further analyzed in this meta-analysis. The risk of lateral lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in the central lymph node-positive group than in the negative group (odds ratio = 7.64, 95% confidence interval: 5.59-10.44), with moderate heterogeneity across studies (P = .007, I(2) = 48.6%). Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analysis suggested that the results were consistent and credible. However, Begg's funnel plot and Egger linear regression test revealed a likelihood of publication bias (P = .000).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that central lymph node metastasis is valuable for predicting lateral compartment involvement in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. For those patients with central lymph node metastasis, additional attention should be paid to the lateral neck, as the risk of lateral lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in the central lymph node-positive group than in the negative group. Further studies regarding appropriate management for patients with high risk of lateral involvement are needed.

Thyroidectomy without lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma with lateral neck lymph node metastases and negative intraoperative frozen section

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with lateral neck metastasis according to their permanent pathology report but negative frozen section findings who did not undergo lateral neck dissection.

METHODS

Between September 2009 and December 2011, 575 patients at Gangnam Severance Hospital (Seoul, Korea) underwent frozen section analysis for a suspicious lateral neck lymph node. In 16 patients, the intraoperative findings were negative, but lateral neck metastasis was diagnosed on the basis of permanent pathology findings. The outcomes of these patients who underwent thyroidectomy but not lateral neck dissection were retrospectively investigated.

RESULTS

One patient underwent a subsequent lateral neck dissection. After a mean (SD) follow-up period of 42.1 (8.5) months, none of the patients had distant metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Total thyroidectomy with subsequent lateral neck dissection is not necessary in patients with PTC who are diagnosed with lateral neck metastasis according to their permanent pathology report but have negative intraoperative frozen section findings.

The significance and the predictive factors of microscopic lymph node metastasis in patients with clinically node negative papillary thyroid cancer: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The management of pathological lateral node involvement (pN1b) from papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are controversial.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 246 patients, diagnosed with clinically node negative (cN0) PTC who had undergone surgery with prophylactic lateral node dissection, and without postoperative radioactive iodine administration from 2001 to 11, were reviewed to clarify the significance of pN1b.

RESULTS

Eighty-five (35%) patients had pN1b disease. One-half and 30% had pN1b in younger (age less than 45) and older patients (age 45 or over), respectively. Tumor size (≥ 21 mm) could predict pN1b disease in older patients. Patients with pN1b disease recurred more frequently (9 cases, 10.6%) than those without (4 cases, 2.4%), and 2 cases with pN1b died of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

pN1b disease was commonly found in patients with PTC even when they were diagnosed clinically as node negative. pN1b disease with prognostic meaning was often found in the older patients with larger PTC indicating the necessity for adjuvant treatments.

VEGF-D and A Preoperative Serum Levels Predict Nodal and Distant Metastases in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Preoperative tumor aggressiveness biomarkers may help surgeons decide the extent of an operation. However, whether serum angiogenetic factors can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer is still unclear.

METHODS

Seventy-six DTC patients were prospectively recruited. Preoperative serum samples were collected and measured for Tie-2, Ang-1, Ang-2, VEGF-A, and VEGF-D levels. The potential correlations between their serum levels and clinicopathologic features as well as their prognoses were analyzed.

RESULTS

Older age (>45 years old) and higher VEGF-A serum levels were independent predictors of extrathyroidal extension. The VEGF-D serum level was an independent factor for lymph node metastases and VEGF-A was an independent factor for distant metastases. None of these serum angiogenetic factors were significantly different between patients who were disease free and those with recurrences. The presence of lymph node metastases was the only independent factor for recurrence over the 2-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative serum VEGF-A and VEGF-D levels were significantly elevated in DTC patients with distant and lymph node metastases. These findings, when combined with other clinicopathological factors, may help in surgical decisions.

Management of recurrent/persistent nodal disease in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer: a critical review of the risks and benefits of surgical intervention versus active surveillance

BACKGROUND

The primary goals of this interdisciplinary consensus statement are to define the eligibility criteria for management of recurrent and persistent cervical nodal disease in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and to review the risks and benefits of surgical intervention versus active surveillance.

METHODS

A writing group was convened by the Surgical Affairs Committee of the American Thyroid Association and was tasked with identifying the important clinical elements to consider when managing recurrent/persistent nodal disease in patients with DTC based on the available evidence in the literature and the group's collective experience.

SUMMARY

The decision on how best to manage individual patients with suspected recurrent/persistent nodal disease is challenging and requires the consideration of a significant number of variables outlined by the members of the interdisciplinary team. Here we report on the consensus opinions that were reached by the writing group regarding the technical and clinical issues encountered in this patient population.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of recurrent/persistent disease requires a team decision-making process that includes the patient and physicians as to what, if any, intervention should be performed to best control the disease while minimizing morbidity. Several management principles and variables involved in the decision making for surgery versus active surveillance were developed that should be taken into account when deciding how best to manage a patient with DTC and suspected recurrent or persistent cervical nodal disease.

Ultrasonographic findings relating to lymph node metastasis in single micropapillary thyroid cancer

Background

In thyroid cancer, preoperative ultrasonography (US) is performed to detect the primary tumor and lymph node metastasis (LNM), which are related to prognosis. This study examined the relationships between specific US findings and LNM in micropapillary thyroid cancer (MPTC).

Methods

Data on 220 patients with solitary MPTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and neck dissection between 2008 and 2009 were evaluated retrospectively. We classified the US findings according to the nature, shape, echogenicity, extent, margin, and calcification of the primary tumor and evaluated the correlations between these findings and those of LNM.

Results

Hypoechogenicity (odds ratio = 2.331, P = 0.025) and marked hypoechogenicity (OR = 4.032, P = 0.016) of MPTC were risk factors for central LNM. All of the patients with lateral cervical LNM showed hypoechogenicity or marked hypoechogenicity. Hypoechogenicity (odds ratio = 5.349, P = 0.047) and other types of calcification (odds ratio = 2.495, P = 0.010) were significant risk factors for lateral cervical LNM.

Conclusions

Specific sonographic findings (hypoechogenicity or marked hypoechogenicity, and calcification) suggest LNM.

Radio-guided selective compartment neck dissection improves staging in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a prospective study on 345 patients with a 3-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

Prospective uncontrolled study to investigate in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients: (1) Distribution of lymph node metastases within the neck compartments, (2) factors predicting lymph nodes metastases, and (3) disease recurrence after thyroidectomy associated with radio-guided selective compartment neck dissection (RSCND).

METHODS

We studied 345 consecutive PTC patients operated on between February 2004 and October 2011 at the S. Anna University Hospital, Ferrara (Italy). Patients with cervical lymph node metastases on preoperative ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration cytology were excluded. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy associated with SLN identification followed by RSCND in the SLN compartment, without SLN frozen section.

RESULTS

In patients with lymph node metastases, metastatic nodes were not in the central neck compartment in 22.6% of the cases. The presence of infiltrating or multifocal PTC was a predicting factor for lymph nodes metastases. The median follow-up was 35.5 months. RSCND was associated with a false-negative rate of 1.1%, a persistent disease rate of 0.6%, and a recurrent disease rate of 0.9%. The permanent dysphonia rate was 1.3%.

CONCLUSION

RSCND associated with total thyroidectomy may improve: (1) the locoregional lymph node staging, and (2) the identification of the site of lymphatic drainage within the neck compartments. Thus, considering the high false-negative rate of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), a radio-guided technique in PTC patients may guide the lymphadenectomy (ie, RSCND) to increase the metastatic yield and improve staging of the disease rather than avoid prophylactic lymphadenectomy (ie, SLNB).

Involvement of level IIb lymph node metastasis and dissection in thyroid cancer

Thyroid neoplasms are the most frequent neoplasm in the head and neck region. Most thyroid carcinomas are well-differentiated tumors of follicular cell origin. Thyroid papillary carcinoma (TPC) is the most common thyroid malignancy. It constitutes 60% to 90% of all the thyroid carcinomas and cervical lymph node metastases are commonly seen in these patients. Although cervical lymph node metastases are common in this cancer, the management and the prognostic role of lymph nodes in TPC remains controversial. In this paper we reviewed the currently available literature regarding the extent of lateral neck dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with lateral neck metastasis.

Tuberculosis cervical lymphadenopathy mimics lateral neck metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) lymphadenitis is a frequent cause of lymphadenopathy in areas in which TB is endemic. Cervical lymphadenopathy in TB can mimic lateral neck metastasis (LNM) from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This study evaluated the clinicopathological features of patients with PTC and TB lateral neck lymphadenopathy.

METHODS

Of the 9098 thyroid cancer patients who underwent thyroid cancer surgery at the Thyroid Cancer Center of Gangnam Severance Hospital between January 2009 and April 2013, 28 had PTC and showed TB lymphadenopathy of the lateral neck node. The clinicopathological features of these 28 patients were evaluated.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, all 28 patients were diagnosed with PTC and showed cervical lymphadenopathy. All had radiological characteristics suspicious of metastasis in lateral neck nodes. Based upon the results from intraoperative frozen sections, lymph node dissection (LND) was not performed on 19 patients. Seven of eight patients who underwent LND had metastasis combined with tuberculous lymphadenopathy, with the remaining patient negative for LNM.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative sampling and frozen sectioning of lymph nodes suspicious of metastasis can help avoid unnecessary LND for tuberculous lymphadenopathy.

Solitary lateral neck node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Background

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is associated with a high incidence of regional node metastasis, but the patterns of lateral neck node metastasis (LNM) vary. Occasionally, a solitary LNM (SLNM) is seen in PTC patients. We therefore assessed whether selective single level node dissection is appropriate in PTC patients with SLNM.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 241 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection plus ipsilateral internal jugular node dissection (level II to IV) between January 2010 and December 2011. Of these patients, 51 had SLNM and 190 had multiple LNM (MLNM). The clinicopathologic characteristics of the two groups were compared.

Results

Age, gender ratio, and numbers of lateral neck nodes harvested (29.4 ± 11.0 versus 30.3 ± 9.5; P = 0.574) were similar in the SLNM and MLNM groups. Mean primary tumor size was significantly smaller in the SLNM than in the MNLM group (1.03 cm versus 1.35 cm; P = 0.037). The proportion of patients with primary tumor ≤ 1 cm was significantly greater in the SLNM group (60.8% versus 38.4%; P = 0.006), whereas the proportion with maximal node size ≤ 0.7 cm (28.9% versus 73.3%; P <0.001) and the proportion with capsular invasion (62.7% versus 83.7%, P = 0.002) were significantly lower in the SLNM than in the MLNM group.

Conclusions

Selective single level neck dissection can be considered as an alternative to systemic lateral neck dissection in PTC patients with SLNM, maximal metastatic node size ≤ 0.7 cm, and no extrathyroidal invasion.

Tumor location-dependent skip lateral cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Lateral cervical lymph node metastasis without central lymph node (CLN) metastasis is not infrequent in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). This study was designed to investigate the frequency and pattern of skip metastasis in PTC.

METHODS

We reviewed 131 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with CLN dissection and selective lymph node dissection. Tumor location was classified in 3 areas (upper, middle, and lower third) based on preoperative ultrasonographic findings.

RESULTS

All skip metastases occurred in patients whose tumors had been on the upper part of the thyroid (p < .001). Among 9 patients with skip metastasis, level III lymph nodes (66.7%) were the lymph nodes that were most frequently involved in skip metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Primary tumors in the upper portion of the thyroid are closely linked to skip metastasis. Careful preoperative evaluation of lateral cervical lymph nodes is suggested when a tumor is in the upper portion.

Total thyroidectomy, without prophylactic central lymph node dissection, in the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer. Clinical retrospective study on 221 cases

Total thyroidectomy (TT) is the standard of care for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), but still there is no consensus about the role of routine use of prophylactic central lymph node dissection. The aim of this study was to analyze our results of TT without prophylactic central lymphadenectomy in the treatment of DTC. Clinical records, between January 1998 and December 2005, of 221 patients undergoing TT, without prophylactic central lymph node dissection, were retrospectively evaluated. Two hundred and eleven patients (95.47 %) also underwent radioiodine (RAI) ablation followed by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression therapy. In patients with loco-regional lymph nodal recurrence, lateral and central lymph node dissection was performed. The incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism (iPTH <10 pg/ml) and permanent vocal fold paralysis were, respectively, 0.91 and 0.91 %. After a 9.6 ± 3.5 years mean follow-up, the rate of loco-regional recurrence, with positive cervical lymph nodes, was 3.16 % (7/221 patients). In these cases a lateral and central lymphadenectomy was carried out without significant complications. Our results showed that TT without prophylactic central lymph node dissection, followed by RAI ablation, was associated with low morbidity and low loco-regional recurrence rate, even if the lack of a control group treated with TT plus prophylactic central lymphadenectomy suggests caution against generalization of our assumption. Such last combined procedure could be indicated in high-risk patients, in whom loco-regional recurrence is more frequent. However, given the trend in the literature toward prophylactic lymphadenectomy and the avoidance of RAI treatment, prospective randomized trials should be conducted to better clarify this issue.

Is minimal residual lymph node disease in papillary thyroid cancer of prognostic impact? An analysis of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule EpCAM in lymph nodes of 40 pN0 patients

This study was aimed to assess the extend of nodal microdissemination in patients with pN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) using immunohistochemical analysis. In early stage PTC both, systematic lymphadenectomy as well as radio iodine treatment, aimed to eliminate occult nodal tumor involvement, are under controversial debate, since little is known about the extend of lymphatic microdissemination in these patients. Formalin embedded samples of the resected lymph nodes were systematically screened for the presence of disseminated tumor cells using immunohistochemistry (monoclonal antibody Ber-EP4). Clinical and histopathological parameters as well as the post-operative course were recorded. Survival data were analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the log rank test. Overall 321 lymph nodes of 40 patients were screened immunohistochemically. In 12.5% of the patients disseminated occult tumor cells were diagnosed. In addition to tumor resection 90% of the patients underwent adjuvant radio-iodine treatment. The mean observation period in our collective was 72 months. The detection of disseminated tumor cells did not correlate with clinicopathologic risk parameters and did not have significant influence on the prognosis of these patients. Immunohistochemical analysis enables the detection of disseminated tumor cells in patients with pN0 PTC. This finding seems to support the application of adjuvant radio iodine, even in early tumor stages.

Factors influencing morbidity after surgical management of malignant thyroid disease

OBJECTIVES

We performed a retrospective study of cases from 2005 to 2010 at an academic tertiary care center to analyze the factors that influence morbidity in surgical management of thyroid malignancy.

METHODS

The rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and hypoparathyroidism (HPT) were analyzed in the entire cohort. The comparison groups were 1) primary surgery versus revision; 2) total thyroidectomy versus total thyroidectomy combined with neck node dissection; and 3) two groups defined by surgical technique according to the RLN approach: group 1, in which the RLN was identified inferiorly in the tracheoesophageal groove, and group 2, in which the RLN was identified near the cricothyroid joint point of entry.

RESULTS

We reviewed 308 patients who underwent surgery for thyroid cancer. Thirty-six (11.7%) had temporary HPT, and 8 (2.6%) had permanent HPT. Of a total of 586 RLNs at risk, 16 (2.7%) had temporary damage and 2 (0.3%) had permanent damage. The incidences of temporary RLN injury significantly differed between the primary-surgery and revision-surgery groups (2.5% versus 15.6%; p = 0.001), and also between the groups with total thyroidectomy and thyroidectomy with neck dissection (1.2% versus 7.8%; p = 0.027). The incidences of temporary HPT were significantly different between the groups with primary surgery and revision surgery (6.6% versus 31.3%; p = 0.001), between the groups with total thyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy with neck dissection (4.7% versus 15.6%; p = 0.009), and between group 1 and group 2 (surgical technique in terms of RLN approach; 8.2% versus 17.9%; p = 0.011). Permanent HPT and permanent RLN injury both occurred rarely in this cohort, with no significant differences among comparison groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows a higher incidence of temporary RLN injury and teniporary HPT in revision surgery cases and in total thyroidectomy with neck dissection. Temporary HPT was significantly more common when the RLN was identified near the cricothyroid joint.

Pattern of spread to the lateral neck in metastatic well-differentiated thyroid cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There remains controversy surrounding the extent of lateral neck dissection required in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and suspicious or confirmed metastatic lateral neck lymphadenopathy. The evidence for this clinical dilemma has never been reviewed systematically nor has there been an attempt to meta-analyze the data by lymph node levels to better characterize the pattern of spread.

METHODS

This meta-analysis used MEDLINE and EMBASE including all cohort studies reporting the pattern of lateral neck disease in patients who underwent a neck dissection for clinically, radiographically, or cytologically suspicious or confirmed metastatic lymphadenopathy for PTC. Our main outcome was the number of patients with positive involvement at a given level as a percentage of the cohort of patients with positive lateral neck disease, each level being measured separately.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies with a total of 1145 patients and 1298 neck dissections were included in our meta-analysis. Levels IIa and IIb had disease in 53.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 46.6-59.5%] and 15.5% [CI 8.2-27.2%], respectively. Studies that did not distinguish between level IIa and IIb or in which both were collapsed into one category showed a total level II involvement of 53.4% [CI 49.7-57.1%]. Level III and level IV were involved in 70.5% [CI 67.0-73.9%] and 66.3% [CI 61.4-70.9%] of specimens. Studies that did not distinguish between level Va and Vb or in which both were collapsed into one category showed a total level V involvement of 25.3% [CI 20.0-31.5%]. Levels Va and Vb had positivity in 7.9% [CI 2.8-20.0%] and 21.5% [CI 7.7-47.6%], respectively, but had only three studies that could be meta-analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of the pattern of spread indicates significant rates of lymph node metastasis to all lateral neck levels in patients with PTC with regional involvement. This evidence leads us to recommend a comprehensive selective neck dissection of levels IIa, IIb, III, IV, and Vb in patients with lateral neck disease from PTC. The evidence for level Va is lacking, as most studies did not distinguish between levels Va and Vb, and the border between the two levels was inconsistent. Future studies will need to address these sublevels separately.

The usefulness and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy using single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography with 99mTc phytate to detect locoregional lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma

Purpose

Regional lymph node (LN) metastases are detected in 57-85% of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and are associated with increased tumor recurrence. However, the management of lymphatic disease in patients with PTC has been ongoing source of debate. We have prospectively assessed the usefulness and accuracy of sentinel LN (SLN) biopsy for the detection of LN metastases in patients with PTC on preoperative imaging using single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and 99mTc phytate.

Methods

We prospectively assessed 39 patients with PTC who had risk factors for recurrence or with the necessity of intraoperative LN sampling for suspicious LN metastases on preoperative imaging from August 2010 to March 2011. The patients underwent preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and SPETC/CT and intraoperative SLN biopsy (SLNB).

Results

99mTc lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT localized SLN in 38 patients (97.4%), with the gamma probe identifying 2.15 mean SLNs in the lateral neck of the 39 patients. Skip metastasis was found in one patient, and lateral compartment LN metastasis in 17 (43.5%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of SLNB for lateral compartment LN metastasis were 88.2%, 100%, and 94.8%, respectively. SLNB was more accurate and useful for lateral than for central compartment LN metastasis.

Conclusion

SPECT/CT improved SLN detection and anatomical localization compared with lymphoscintigraphy. SLNB in patients with risk factors for recurrence or the necessity of intraoperative LN sampling for suspected LN metastases on preoperative imaging was accurate in detecting LN metastases and may help in deciding whether to perform lateral compartment dissection in patients with PTC.

Clinical prognostic index for recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma including intraoperative findings

This study created a new staging system using a risk model that employed clinical factors that were associated with recurrence, verified by preoperative clinical information and intraoperative finding and was compared with other staging systems. A review was conducted of patients who have undergone thyroidectomy and followed-up between January 1, 1983 and September 31, 2007 at Yonsei University Wonju Christian Hospital. The final prognostic staging system was defined as University of Yonsei clinical staging system (Prognostic score = 0.03 × Age + 0.8 × (if male gender) + 0.5 × (if extrathyroidal tumor extension present) + 0.7 × (if clinically apparent lymph node metastasis present), Stage I, less than 1.50; Stage II, 1.50 to 2.29; Stage III, 2.30 to 3.29; Stage IV 4, 3.3 or more). Compared with the other staging systems, the proportion of variation explained (PVE %) was calculated for each. The University of Yonsei clinical staging system appeared to be first as an accurate prognosis predictor with 11.9%. New staging system can predict recurrence and has advantage can use preoperative clinical information and intraoperative finding. Those who are diagnosed as high risk patients using the new staging system should be treated with aggressive surgical treatment and close follow-up.

Complications of central neck dissection in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: results of a study on 1087 patients and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Prophylactic central neck dissection (CND) has been proposed in the treatment of patients affected by papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with clinically negative neck lymph nodes. The procedure allows pathologic staging of lymph nodes of the central compartment and treatment of the micrometastases. Nevertheless, the morbidity that its routine use adds to the total thyroidectomy must be taken into account. The aim of this study was to characterize the morbidity that CND adds to the total thyroidectomy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 1087 patients with PTC and clinically negative neck lymph nodes. Patients were divided into three study groups: Group A, total thyroidectomy; Group B, total thyroidectomy and ipsilateral CND; Group C, total thyroidectomy and bilateral CND. Primary endpoints of the study were evaluated by comparing the rates of transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and hypoparathyroidism in the three study groups.

RESULTS

Analysis of data showed no significant differences in the rate of transient (Group A: 3.6%, Group B: 3.9%, and Group C: 5.5%; p=0.404) and permanent (Group A: 1%, Group B: 0.5%, and Group C: 2.3%; p=0.099) RLN injury between the three study groups. Both ipsilateral CND and bilateral CND were associated with a higher rate of transient hypoparathyroidism (Group: A 27.7%, Group B: 36.1%, and Group C: 51.9%; p=0.014; odds ratio [OR]: 1.477; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.091-2.001; p<0.001; OR: 2.827; 95% CI: 2.065-3.870, respectively). Bilateral CND had a higher rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism (Group A: 6.3%, Group B: 7%, and Group C: 16.2%; p<0.001; OR: 2.860; 95% CI: 1.725-4.743).

CONCLUSIONS

The increased rates of transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism in our series suggest a critical review of indications for the routine use of prophylactic CND for PTC. Prophylactic CND ipsilateral to the tumor associated with total thyroidectomy may represent an effective strategy for reducing the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism. Concomitant completion contralateral paratracheal lymph node neck dissection should be performed in presence of lymph node metastasis on intraoperative frozen-section pathology. This approach limits the use of bilateral CND to patients with intraoperative pathological findings of lymph node metastases.

Relationships between Lymph Node Metastasis and Expression of CD31, D2-40, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors A and C in Papillary Thyroid Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationships between lymph node metastasis (LNM) and expression of CD31, D2-40 and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-A and -C in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

METHODS

Paraffin-embedded thyroid tissues of 72 patients were evaluated, which included 25 patients with thyroid nodular hyperplasia (TNH), 24 PTC patients without LNM, and 23 PTC patients with LNM. Three pathologists, who were blinded to the patient's clinical information, assessed the immunohistochemical staining results. The amount of expression was scored as high (>25% of cells stained) or low (0-25%).

RESULTS

A higher level of VEGF-A expression was observed in the PTC groups regardless of LNM when compared to the group with TNH (91.3%, 79.2%, 4.0%, respectively). VEGF-C expression in the PTC with LNM group was significantly higher than the other two groups (P<0.05). No difference in microvessel density (MVD) scores was observed using CD31 among the three groups. The lymphatic vessel density (LVD) score using D2-40 was significantly higher in patients having PTC with LNM than the other groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

VEGF-C and D2-40 were more highly expressed in patients having PTC with LNM than in patients having PTC without LNM or in those having TNH. Analysis of VEGF-C level and LVD using D2-40 may be helpful in the diagnosis of PTC and the evaluation of LNM potential in patients with PTC.

Clinical predictors of right upper paraesophageal lymph node metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma

Background

Central and lateral lymph node metastases are quite common in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, and the predictors for those metastases have been well studied. Right upper paraesophageal lymph node metastasis has rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to identify the clinicopathological characteristics that may be risk factors for right upper paraesophageal lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of 243 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent total thyroidectomy and comprehensive central lymph node dissection with or without lateral lymph node dissection between April 2008 and January 2010. The clinicopathologic findings from these patients were investigated and the patterns of lymph node metastasis were analyzed in the patients who had right upper paraesophageal lymph node disease.

Results

Of the 243 patients undergoing lymph node dissection, 14 had right upper paraesophageal lymph node metastases. Two of these patients had right upper paraesophageal lymph node metastasis only, without central compartment metastasis. Univariate analysis of clinicopathologic findings showed that right upper paraesophageal lymph node metastasis had significant association with larger primary tumors, multifocal tumors, extrathyroid extension, and lymphatic invasion (p <0.05 for each factor).

Conclusions

Although there were no independent predictors of right upper paraesophageal lymph node metastasis, it can be the only site of metastasis without other compartmental metastasis. Therefore, during surgery for patients with central or lateral lymph node metastases from PTC, it may be helpful to examine the right upper paraesophageal lymph nodes.

Pattern of initial metastasis in the cervical lymph node from papillary thyroid carcinoma

PURPOSES

This study attempted to reveal the pattern of initial lymphatic spread in order to investigate the clinical significances of lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) since such information has yet to be elucidated in previous studies.

METHODS

This study reviewed 501 consecutive patients with PTC who had been surgically treated, accompanied by routine node dissection of the central, and lateral compartments. Thirty-eight cases were found to have only one metastatic node, and 62 cases were found to have 2 or 3 metastatic nodes. The locations of these metastatic nodes were mapped, and evaluated.

RESULTS

The initial lymph node metastasis occurred equally in the lateral and central compartments (19 vs. 19 nodes). Metastatic nodes were more frequently found in the central compartment (60 and 65 %) in cases with 2- and 3-node involvements. Twenty-two (60 %) and 33 (65 %) cases had at least one instance of lateral node involvement in those cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results demonstrated the pattern of initial lymphatic spread in PTC cases, and indicated the importance of evaluating the lateral nodes of at least compartments III and IV for accurate pathological staging, as well as for investigating the nature of the disease.

Occult Lymph Node Metastases Increase Locoregional Recurrence in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Objectives:

The impact of occult lymph node metastasis (OLNM) on locoregional recurrence (LRR) and survival in patients with N0 differentiated thyroid carcinoma is unclear, because no large study has been carried out. A retrospective study was conducted in our department to assess the influence of OLNM.

Methods:

We included 201 patients treated by prophylactic neck dissection for N0 differentiated thyroid carcinoma between 1974 and 2006. The incidence of OLNM and predictive factors for recurrence and survival were assessed.

Results:

The incidence of OLNM was 20%. Necks were involved at levels VI, III, II, IV, V, and I, in decreasing order of frequency. After a mean follow-up of 9 years, the rate of LRR was 8.9% and the rate of distant metastasis was 3.4%. An age of greater than 55 years and the presence of OLNM were predictive factors for LRR. An age of greater than 55 years and the presence of LRR were predictive factors for distant metastasis. The presence of distant metastasis was the only factor that significantly and independently influenced the disease-specific survival.

Conclusions:

We found that OLNM occurred in only 20% of N0 patients. The presence and especially the number of OLNMs on neck dissection were major risk factors for LRR in this study, but did not affect the disease-specific survival.

The efficacy of lateral neck sentinel lymph node biopsy in papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Although occult lymph node metastasis to the lateral neck compartment is common in papillary thyroid carcinoma, the incidence and patterns of lateral neck node metastasis in papillary carcinoma are not known. We hypothesized that sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) with radioisotope in the detection of occult lateral neck node metastasis would be useful in characterizing metastasis in papillary carcinoma.

METHODS

Ninety-four patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were included from June 2009 to March 2010 for lateral neck SLNB. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was obtained after intratumoral injection of a (99m)Tc-tin colloid under ultrasound guidance. Total thyroidectomy or lobectomy preceded SLN detection to avoid radioactivity interference with the primary tumor, after which SLNB was performed in the lateral neck nodes. In the cases where metastasis was detected in SLNs upon frozen biopsy, an immediate modified radical neck node dissection was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 174 SLNs were identified in 60 patients (63.8%). The identification rate of the SLNs with isotope increased with time. Sentinel lymph node metastasis was found in 19 patients (31.7%). This clinically occult metastasis was only related to the total number of metastatic LNs in the central compartment. Patient age, gender, tumor size, location, extent of tumor invasion, multiplicity, and presence of thyroiditis were not related to metastasis in the lateral compartment. Detection of lateral neck SLNs upon biopsy with radioisotope was also feasible in level II and contralateral neck.

CONCLUSIONS

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a useful method for evaluating the occult lateral neck lymph node status in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, especially in the cases of central neck node metastasis.