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Chen W, Lei J, You J, Lei Y, Li Z, Gong R, Tang H, Zhu J. Predictive factors and prognosis for recurrent laryngeal nerve invasion in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2017; 10:4485-4491. [PMID: 28979140 PMCID: PMC5602280 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s142799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) invasion in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the main predictors of poor prognosis. The present study investigated the risk factors for RLN invasion in PTC patients. Methods A total of 3,236 patients who received thyroidectomy due to PTC in Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were reviewed. Demographics and clinical factors, imaging examination (ultrasonography) characteristics, surgical details, postoperative pathological details, recurrence, and postoperative complications were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to study the risk factors of RLN invasion, Kaplan–Meier method was performed to compare the outcomes of tumor recurrence. Results Patients with RLN invasion had a higher recurrence rate than those in the control group (p<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that age greater than 45 years (p<0.001), a largest tumor size bigger than 10 mm (p<0.001), clinical lymph node metastasis (cN1) (p<0.001), posterior focus (p<0.001), extrathyroidal extension (p<0.001), esophageal extension (p<0.001), tracheal extension (p<0.001), and preoperative vocal cord paralysis (p<0.001) were independent predictors for RLN invasion. Conclusion PTC patients with RLN invasion have a negative prognosis and a higher recurrence rate. Meticulous operation and careful follow-up of patients with the above factors is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yali Lei
- Health and Management Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center
| | | | - Huairong Tang
- Health and Management Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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Canete EJ, Sison-Pena CM, Jimeno CA. Clinicopathological, Biochemical, and Sonographic Features of Thyroid Nodule Predictive of Malignancy among Adult Filipino Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in the Philippines. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2014; 29:489-97. [PMID: 25325270 PMCID: PMC4285043 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2014.29.4.489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid nodules may harbor cancer in 5% to 15% of cases. Specific clinical and sonographic features predictive of malignancy have been investigated in various populations, but due to differences in epidemiology, risk factors and iodine nutrition status, these predictors may not be valid in the Philippines. This study determined the clinicopathological, biochemical, and sonographic features of thyroid nodules predictive of malignancy among adult Filipino patients at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). METHODS We reviewed the medical records of Filipino patients ≥19 years of age who underwent thyroid surgery in UP-PGH from 2008 to 2011. RESULTS A total of 837 of 1,670 patients (50.1%) were enrolled in the study, which included 417 benign and 420 malignant tumors. The mean age at diagnosis was 38±11 years, with female predominance. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of a hard or firm nodule (odds ratio [OR], 58.8, P<0.001; OR, 12.8, P<0.001), presence of microcalcifications (OR, 11.1; P<0.001), irregular margins on ultrasound (OR, 4.5; P<0.001), and absence of associated symptoms (OR, 2.3; P<0.002) increased significantly the likelihood of thyroid malignancy. CONCLUSION Similar to international data, the absence of associated symptoms, firm to hard thyroid nodules, and the presence of microcalcifications and irregular margins were significant predictors of thyroid malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Jadulco Canete
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines.
| | - Cherrie Mae Sison-Pena
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Cecilia Alegado Jimeno
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines
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Mao LN, Wang P, Li ZY, Wang Y, Song ZY. Risk factor analysis for central nodal metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2014; 9:103-107. [PMID: 25435941 PMCID: PMC4246692 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymph node involvement is associated with recurrence in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The central neck compartment (level VI) lymph nodes are at the greatest risk of metastases from PTC, but the role of central neck dissection (CND) remains controversial, particularly in PTC without clinical cervical lymph node metastasis (cN0). The present study aimed to identify risk factors of central cervical nodal metastasis and the safety of CND in patients with cN0 PTC. The current study retrospectively investigated 389 patients who had been followed up for 12.0–25.5 months after surgery, and were divided into positive or negative lymph node involvement groups according to the pathological results subsequent to this surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to study the risk factor of central node involvement. The mean tumor size was 0.71±0.35 cm (range, 0.1–2.0 cm). There was no significant difference in the rate of central lymph node involvement based on age (<45 or ≥45 years) or tumor focality (unifocal or multifocal). However, there were significant differences based on gender, extra-thyroid invasion and tumor size (P<0.05). The incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism and transient vocal cord paralysis following CND was 12.34 and 4.11%, respectively. No patient experienced permanent hypoparathyroidism or vocal cord paralysis. One patient (1/389; 0.23%) experienced disease recurrence during the follow-up. A larger tumor size and the male gender were significantly associated with the central nodal metastasis rate for cN0 PTC with a tumor size of <2.0 cm. CND for cN0 PTC patients was safe and the tumor-associated recurrence rate following CND plus total thyroidectomy was low. The present study suggests that CND should be conducted for male cN0 PTC patients with a larger tumor size (≥0.5 cm).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Na Mao
- International Health Care Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Yu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Zheng-Ya Song
- International Health Care Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
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Shao H, Yu X, Wang C, Wang Q, Guan H. Midkine expression is associated with clinicopathological features and BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid cancer. Endocrine 2014; 46:285-91. [PMID: 24272599 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-013-0068-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study is to detect the expression of midkine (MK) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and to evaluate whether MK expression is associated with clinicopathological features and BRAF mutation in PTC. The expression of MK in samples from 200 cases of PTC, 60 cases of adenomatoid nodule of thyroid, and 40 samples of tumor-adjacent normal thyroid tissue were assessed with immunohistochemistry. The BRAF mutation was detected by direct sequencing. The relationships between MK expression and the clinicopathological features of PTC and BRAF mutation were analyzed. The results demonstrated that MK was not expressed in tumor-adjacent normal tissue. The positive expression rates and MK scores were both higher in PTC than in adenomatoid nodule (positive expression rates: 88 vs. 8.3 %, P < 0.001; MK scores: 2.02 ± 0.93 vs. 0.08 ± 0.28, P < 0.001). The expression level of MK in PTC with extrathyroidal invasion, lymph node metastasis, or stage III/IV was significantly higher than that in PTC without such biological features (all P < 0.01). The overall prevalence of BRAF mutation was 66.5 % in PTC. The expression level of MK in PTC with BRAF mutation was significantly higher than that in PTC with wild-type BRAF (P < 0.001). We can conclude that MK is specifically expressed in PTC tissues and is associated with clinicopathological features and BRAF mutation. MK may be a helpful diagnostic and prognostic marker for PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Shao
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
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Balkan F, Onal ED, Usluogullari A, Tuzun D, Ozdemir D, Inancli SS, Ersoy R, Cakir B. "Is there any association between insulin resistance and thyroid cancer? : A case control study". Endocrine 2014; 45:55-60. [PMID: 23564559 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-013-9942-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Insulin stimulates proliferation of thyroid cells in culture. The presence of insulin resistance (IR) is associated with larger thyroid gland volume and an increased prevalence of thyroid nodules. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of any possible association between IR and thyroid cancer. Forty-one patients with diffuse thyroid cancer (Group 1) were matched for age and gender with 41 patients with nodular goiter (Group 2). Both groups were compared in terms of frequency of IR, as estimated by the homeostasis model assessment, as well as other parameters of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Fourteen patients (34.1 %) in each group had MetS. Twelve patients (29.3 %) in group 1 had IR compared to 10 (24.4 %) in group 2. Mean HOMA-IR scores in group 1 and 2 were 2.5 ± 2.2 and 1.8 ± 1.1, respectively. Thirty-two patients (78 %) in group 1 had a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 compared to 33 patients (80.5 %) in group 2. The difference between groups with regard to HOMA-IR, the frequency of IR, BMI, and any of the parameters of MetS was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). A subgroup analysis based on tumor size did not reveal a significant difference between patients with microcarcinoma (≤10 mm) and macrocarcinoma (>10 mm) in terms of any of the study parameters (p > 0.05). Neither MetS nor IR was a significant risk factor for thyroid cancer following logistic regression analysis (p > 0.05). IR is not more prevalent in patients with thyroid cancer. Some other pathologic mechanisms may be more prominent during thyroid carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fevzi Balkan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yildirim Beyazit University Medical School Ataturk Teaching and Research Hospital, Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey,
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Torres MRDS, Nóbrega Neto SH, Rosas RJ, Martins ALB, Ramos ALC, da Cruz TRP. Thyroglobulin in the washout fluid of lymph-node biopsy: what is its role in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma? Thyroid 2014; 24:7-18. [PMID: 24044517 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2013.0244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical evaluation of enlarged local lymph nodes (LNs) is difficult at the beginning and throughout the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Although the examination of samples collected from LNs by fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytology (FNAB-C) is extremely specific for the diagnosis of metastases, its sensitivity is low, especially in paucicellular samples. SUMMARY The measurement of thyroglobulin (Tg) in the fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) washout fluid (FNAB-Tg) increases the diagnostic performance of cytology to up to 100% sensitivity and specificity. However, the application of FNAB-Tg is currently hindered by the absence of methodological standardization, a lack of definite cutoff points, and the ongoing debate regarding its accuracy in nonthyroidectomized patients, those with elevated serum Tg, and those with circulating anti-Tg antibodies. CONCLUSION FNAB-Tg improves the diagnostic performance of FNAB-C in LN metastases, even when the latter is unable to diagnose the metastases. For that reason, FNAB-Tg should be included in the monitoring of DTC.
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Conzo G, Pasquali D, Bellastella G, Esposito K, Carella C, De Bellis A, Docimo G, Klain M, Iorio S, Napolitano S, Palazzo A, Pizza A, Sinisi AA, Zampella E, Bellastella A, Santini L. Total thyroidectomy, without prophylactic central lymph node dissection, in the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer. Clinical retrospective study on 221 cases. Endocrine 2013; 44:419-25. [PMID: 23334946 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-013-9877-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Conzo
- Department of Anaesthesiologic, Surgical and Emergency Science, VII Division of General and Endocrine Surgery, Second University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, Build 17, 80131, Naples, Italy,
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Treglia G, Caldarella C, Saggiorato E, Ceriani L, Orlandi F, Salvatori M, Giovanella L. Diagnostic performance of (99m)Tc-MIBI scan in predicting the malignancy of thyroid nodules: a meta-analysis. Endocrine 2013; 44:70-8. [PMID: 23529672 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-013-9932-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have investigated the diagnostic performance of (99m)Tc-MIBI scan in the evaluation of thyroid nodules suspicious for malignancy with conflicting results. The aim of our study is to meta-analyze published data on this topic. A comprehensive literature search of studies published through December 2012 regarding the diagnostic performance of (99m)Tc-MIBI scan in the evaluation of thyroid nodules suspicious for malignancy was carried out. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of (99m)Tc-MIBI scan on a per lesion-based analysis and the area under the ROC curve were calculated. Pathological reports of thyroid nodules were considered as reference standard. Twenty-one studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of (99m)Tc-MIBI scan in detecting malignant thyroid nodules were 85.1 % [95 % confidence interval (95 % CI): 81.1-88.5 %] and 45.7 % (95 % CI: 42.7-48.7 %), respectively, on a per lesion-based analysis, irrespective of eventual results of previous technetium pertechnetate ((99m)TcO4) or iodine-123 ((123)I) scan. The area under the ROC curve was 0.78. A sub-analysis restricted to data on hypofunctioning nodules on (99m)TcO4 or (123)I scans was performed: pooled sensitivity and specificity of (99m)Tc-MIBI scan in these nodules were 82.1 % (95 % CI: 77.2-86.3 %) and 62.8 % (95 % CI: 58.9-66.7 %), respectively, on a per lesion-based analysis. The area under the ROC curve was 0.81. (99m)Tc-MIBI scan is a sensitive diagnostic tool in predicting the malignancy of thyroid nodules. Therefore, this imaging method could be helpful in patients with thyroid nodules in which malignancy is suspected on the basis of conventional diagnostic techniques. Higher specificity can be reached when hypofunctioning thyroid nodules are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Treglia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, via Ospedale 12, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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Yu H, Huang X, Liu X, Jin H, Zhang G, Zhang Q, Yu J. Regulatory T cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells contribute to the immune escape of papillary thyroid cancer coexisting with multinodular non-toxic goiter. Endocrine 2013; 44:172-81. [PMID: 23264145 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-012-9853-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Immunosuppressive lymphocytes, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), play crucial roles in tumor escape. To investigate the roles of Tregs and pDCs in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) plus multinodular non-toxic goiter (MNG), thyroid tissue and blood samples from 30 patients with PTC plus MNG and 30 MNG alone were analyzed for CD4(+) T cell, CD8(+) T cell, FoxP3(+) Treg, ICOS(+)FoxP3(+) Treg, and pDC numbers by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. Plasma concentration of the cytokines interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as well. Both in thyroid tissue and peripheral blood, the numbers of Foxp3(+) Treg were significantly higher in patients with PTC plus MNG compared to patients with MNG alone; and as a prognostic marker, ICOS(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs represent a stronger predictor of disease progression than the total numbers of Foxp3(+) Tregs. Furthermore, a positive correlation between pDC and ICOS(+)Foxp3(+) Treg numbers in tissue of patients with PTC plus MNG was observed, suggesting that PTC-derived pDCs may induce the differentiation of naive CD4(+) T cells into ICOS(+)Foxp3(+)Tregs. This may be one of the mechanisms underlying tumor escape in PTC plus MNG patients. Our results suggest that Tregs and pDCs together contribute to the tumor escape in patients with PTC plus MNG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
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Shiue I. Associated social factors of thyroid disorders in adults and the very old in the UK. Endocrine 2013; 43:724-8. [PMID: 23553207 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-013-9944-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Abstract
Pituitary metastases (PM) from thyroid cancer are rare, but their management can represent a difficult challenge for the endocrinologist. Our aim was to review all reported cases of PM from thyroid cancer. PubMed was consulted and 19 papers reporting 20 cases were found. We moreover discuss two of our own cases, which had come to our attention within a few months of one another. Eleven cases were follicular cancer, eight cases were papillary cancer, two cases were medullary cancer, and one case was an insular cancer. In nine cases, PM was the first sign of the disease. Cranial nerve involvement was the most common sign of its presence, and no neuroradiological imaging could lead to a sure diagnosis of PM. Neurosurgical intervention was performed in almost all cases, and post-surgical treatment comprised radioiodine, external beam radiotherapy, and radiosurgery. Prognosis was poor for larger metastases, cranial nerve palsy disappeared in only one case, and in only one case of intrasellar metastasis was the disease cured. PM from thyroid cancer are rare, but are burdened by a poor prognosis. An early diagnosis appears important, and a comprehensive strategy for treatment (neurosurgery, radioiodine, external radiotherapy, and radiosurgery) appears advisable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Barbaro
- Section of Endocrinology, ASL6, Viale Alfieri 36, Livorno, Italy.
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Bertagna F, Treglia G, Piccardo A, Giovannini E, Bosio G, Biasiotto G, Bahij EK, Maroldi R, Giubbini R. F18-FDG-PET/CT thyroid incidentalomas: a wide retrospective analysis in three Italian centres on the significance of focal uptake and SUV value. Endocrine 2013. [PMID: 23179777 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-012-9837-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid incidental uptake is defined as a thyroid uptake incidentally and newly detected by imaging techniques performed for an unrelated purpose and especially for non-thyroid diseases. Aim of the study was to establish the prevalence and pathological nature of focal thyroid incidentalomas detected at F18-FDG-PET/CT in patients studied for oncological purposes and not for thyroid disease. Secondary end point was to establish a possible maximum standardised uptake value cut-off over which a malignant lesion should be suspected. We have retrospectively evaluated 49519 patients who underwent F18-FDG-PET/CT for oncologic purposes in three Nuclear Medicine Centres (N.1 = 11278, N.2 = 31076, N.3 = 7165). A focal incidental thyroid uptake was diagnosed in 729 (1.5 %) patients (287-39.4 % male and 442-60.6 % female; average age: 65.26). Of 729 thyroid incidentalomas 211 (28.9 %) underwent further investigation to determine the nature of the nodule; 124/211 (58.8 %) incidentalomas were benign, 72/211 (34.1 %) malignant, 4/211 (1.9 %) non-diagnostic at cytological examination in the absence of surgery and histological evaluation and 11/211 (5.2 %) were indeterminate at cytological examination. A centre-based receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis of the patients with a definitive diagnosis was performed to identify a SUVmax cut-off useful in differentiating benign from malignant incidentalomas. In the centre N.1 it was 4.8 (sensitivity = 95.7 %, specificity = 46.4 %, area under the curve = 0.758); 5.3 in the centre N.2 (sensitivity = 76.3 %, specificity = 72.5 %, area under the curve = 0.815); 7 in the centre N.3 (sensitivity = 57.1 %, specificity = 79.3 %, area under the curve = 0.627). F18-FDG-PET/CT thyroid incidentalomas are a relevant diagnostic reality which requires further investigations and clinical management especially considering that, despite mainly benign, approximately one third of focal thyroid uptakes are malignant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Bertagna
- Nuclear Medicine, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili di Brescia, P.le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
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