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de Sanctis L, Wasniewska M, Vigone MC. Editorial: Thyroid nodules and tumors in childhood. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1303749. [PMID: 37929028 PMCID: PMC10625416 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1303749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luisa de Sanctis
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Malgorzata Wasniewska
- Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Hess JR, Van Tassel DC, Runyan CE, Morrison Z, Walsh AM, Schafernak KT. Performance of ACR TI-RADS and the Bethesda System in Predicting Risk of Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules at a Large Children's Hospital and a Comprehensive Review of the Pediatric Literature. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3975. [PMID: 37568791 PMCID: PMC10417028 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
While thyroid nodules are less common in children than in adults, they are more frequently malignant. However, pediatric data are scarce regarding the performance characteristics of imaging and cytopathology classification systems validated to predict the risk of malignancy (ROM) in adults and select those patients who require fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and possibly surgical resection. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients 18 years of age or younger who underwent thyroid FNA at our institution from 1 July 2015 to 31 May 2022. Based on surgical follow-up from 74 of the 208 FNA cases, we determined the ROM for the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) ultrasound risk stratification system and The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology and added our results to those of pediatric cohorts from other institutions already published in the literature. We found the following ROMs for 1458 cases using ACR TI-RADS (TR): TR1. Benign: 2.2%, TR2. Not Suspicious: 9.3%, TR3. Mildly Suspicious: 16.6%, TR4. Moderately Suspicious: 27.0%, and TR5. Highly Suspicious 76.5%; and for 5911 cases using the Bethesda system: Bethesda I. Unsatisfactory: 16.8%, Bethesda II. Benign: 7.2%, Bethesda III: Atypia of Undetermined Significance: 29.6%, Bethesda IV. Follicular Neoplasm: 42.3%, Bethesda V. Suspicious for Malignancy: 90.8%, and Bethesda VI. Malignant: 98.8%. We conclude that ACR TI-RADS levels imply higher ROMs for the pediatric population than the corresponding suggested ROMs for adults, and, in order to avoid missing malignancies, we should consider modifying or altogether abandoning size cutoffs for recommending FNA in children and adolescents whose thyroid glands are smaller than those of adults. The Bethesda categories also imply higher ROMs for pediatric patients compared to adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R. Hess
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA; (J.R.H.); (A.M.W.)
| | - Dane C. Van Tassel
- Department of Radiology, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA;
| | - Charles E. Runyan
- Department of Radiology, Valleywise Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA;
| | - Zachary Morrison
- Creighton Radiology Residency, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ 85012, USA;
| | - Alexandra M. Walsh
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA; (J.R.H.); (A.M.W.)
| | - Kristian T. Schafernak
- Division of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
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Antonia TD, Maria LI, Ancuta-Augustina GG. Preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules - Diagnosis and management strategies. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 246:154516. [PMID: 37196471 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, with increasing incidence over the past few decades. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is the gold standard for preoperative diagnosis of thyroid malignancies. Nevertheless, this method renders indeterminate results in up to 30% of the cases. Therefore, these patients are often referred to unnecessary surgery to establish the diagnosis. To improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis, several other ways, such as ultrasonography, elastography, immunohistochemical analysis, genetic testing, and core needle biopsy, have been developed and can be used either in association with or as an alternative to FNA. This review aims to evaluate all these diagnostic tools to determine the most appropriate way of managing thyroid nodules and subsequently improve the selection of cases referred to surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapoi Dana Antonia
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania; University Emergency Hospital, Department of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lambrescu Ioana Maria
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Histology, Bucharest, Romania; Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Gheorghisan-Galateanu Ancuta-Augustina
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Histology, Bucharest, Romania; CI Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
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Tuli G, Munarin J, Matarazzo P, Marino A, Corrias A, Palestini N, Quaglino F, De Sanctis L. Clinical features of thyroid cancer in paediatric age. Experience of a tertiary centre in the 2000-2020 period. Endocrine 2023:10.1007/s12020-023-03366-y. [PMID: 37071323 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03366-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the clinical features of a paediatric cohort affected by differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) followed in a tertiary Department of Paediatric Endocrinology. METHODS Clinical data of 41 patients affected by DTC in the 2000-2020 period were reviewed. RESULTS The main risk factor was autoimmune thyroiditis (39%). Cytological categories were TIR3b in 39%, TIR4 in 9.8%, TIR5 in 51.2%. After total thyroidectomy, radioiodine treatment was performed in 38 subjects (92.7%). ATA low-risk category was assigned in 11 (30.5%), intermediate-risk category in 15 (41.7%), and high-risk category in 10 patients (27.8%). Age at diagnosis was 15.1 ± 0.92 years in low-risk category, 14.7 ± 0.59 in intermediate-risk category, 11.7 ± 0.89 years in high-risk category (p = 0.01). TIR3b was manly observed in low-risk class (63.6%), while TIR5 was mainly reported in intermediate and high-risk class (60 and 80% respectively) (p = 0.04). Post-surgery stimulated thyroglobulin was increased in high-risk class (407.8 ± 307.1 ng/ml) [p = 0.04]. Tumour size was larger in high-risk category (42.6 ± 2.6 mm), than in low and intermediate-risk categories (19.4 ± 3.5 mm and 28.5 ± 3.9 mm, respectively) (p = 0.008). Patients in intermediate and high-risk categories displayed more tumour multifocality (60 and 90% respectively) (p < 0.005). Disease relapse was mainly observed in high risk category (40%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION DTC in childhood is more aggressive than in adults, but the overall survival rate is excellent. The therapeutic approach is still heterogeneous, especially in low-risk category. Further studies are needed to standardise management and reduce disease persistence in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerdi Tuli
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Jessica Munarin
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Patrizia Matarazzo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Marino
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Corrias
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Quaglino
- Department of General Surgery, Maria Vittoria Hospital, ASL City of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Luisa De Sanctis
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Seminati D, Ceola S, Pincelli AI, Leni D, Gatti A, Garancini M, L'Imperio V, Cattoni A, Pagni F. The Complex Cyto-Molecular Landscape of Thyroid Nodules in Pediatrics. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072039. [PMID: 37046700 PMCID: PMC10093758 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a commonly used diagnostic cytological procedure in pediatric patients for the evaluation of thyroid nodules, triaging them for the detection of thyroid cancer. In recent years, greater attention has been paid to thyroid FNA in this setting, including the use of updated ultrasound score algorithms to improve accuracy and yield, especially considering the theoretically higher risk of malignancy of these lesions compared with the adult population, as well as to minimize patient discomfort. Moreover, molecular genetic testing for thyroid disease is an expanding field of research that could aid in distinguishing benign from cancerous nodules and assist in determining their clinical management. Finally, artificial intelligence tools can help in this task by performing a comprehensive analysis of all the obtained data. These advancements have led to greater reliance on FNA as a first-line diagnostic tool for pediatric thyroid disease. This review article provides an overview of these recent developments and their impact on the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Seminati
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Stefano Ceola
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Angela Ida Pincelli
- Department of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Davide Leni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Andrea Gatti
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Mattia Garancini
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Vincenzo L'Imperio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cattoni
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Fabio Pagni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
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Quaglino F, Bellocchia AB, Tuli G, Munarin J, Matarazzo P, Cestino L, Festa F, Carbonaro G, Oleandri S, Manini C, Vergano R, De Sanctis L. Pediatric thyroid surgery: Retrospective analysis on the first 25 pediatric thyroidectomies performed in a reference center for adult thyroid diseases. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1126436. [PMID: 36936146 PMCID: PMC10020637 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1126436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pediatric thyroid carcinoma represents about 4-5% of all pediatric carcinoma with an incidence of 0.5 cases/100,000, compared to 2-10/100000 cases in the adult population. The aim of this study is to present the experience of a reference adult endocrine surgery unit in charge of the treatment of pediatric thyroid diseases. Materials and methods From January 2019 to September 2022, 25 patients, aged 5-17, underwent thyroid surgery. We analysed indications for surgery, use of intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM), definitive histological examination, postoperative outcomes and risk factors related. Results Surgical indication was performed for Graves' disease (27%) and for nodular pathology (73%): of these, four were malignant lesions (TIR4/TIR5), eight with indeterminate characteristics (TIR3A/TIR3B) and four characterized as benign (TIR1/TIR2). Total thyroidectomy (TT) was performed in 76% of cases, three of which were prophylactic for the activation of the RET gene mutation in MEN 2A. IONM was used in eight cases (32%), all patients aged 11 years or less. FNA's accuracy was 100% for lesions typified as benign and malignant (TIR1/TIR2 and TIR4/TIR5). The overall malignancy rate achieved was 40% and in the final histological examination 75% of the TIR 3B lesions were malignant. Six patients (24%) developed hypoparathyroidism in the first postoperative day, with normalization of calcium values within thirty days in 5 patients. Conclusions Pediatric thyroid nodules are rare and distinguished from adult thyroid disease by a worse prognosis and higher malignancy rates. Our work reports a much higher malignancy rate among indeterminate TIR 3B lesions than observed in the adult population and the three patients who underwent prophylactic total thyroidectomy for activating RET gene mutation had all a definitive histological diagnosis of medullary carcinoma. Post-surgical hypoparathyroidism is a common finding in these patients: in most cases the condition is transient and it benefits from supportive therapy. Intraoperative finding of a thinner recurrent laryngeal nerve in younger patients makes nerve isolation more difficult than in adult surgery: IONM is recommended in patients under 12. Pediatric thyroid surgery is challenging, we sustain it requires referral thyroid Centers for thyroid disease with highly skilled general endocrine surgeons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gerdi Tuli
- Pediatric Endocrinology Division, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Jessica Munarin
- Pediatric Endocrinology Division, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Patrizia Matarazzo
- Pediatric Endocrinology Division, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Cestino
- General Surgery Division, Maria Vittoria Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Federico Festa
- General Surgery Division, Maria Vittoria Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudia Manini
- Pathology Division, Maria Vittoria Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Riccardo Vergano
- Otorhinolaryngology Division, Maria Vittoria Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Luisa De Sanctis
- Pediatric Endocrinology Division, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Turin, Italy
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Goldfarb M, Dinauer C. Differences in the management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents as compared to adults. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2022; 29:466-473. [PMID: 35777975 DOI: 10.1097/med.0000000000000754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To describe recent advances in the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules in both children and adults, highlighting differences between the two groups. RECENT FINDINGS Thyroid nodules are less common in children than adults but the risk of malignancy is higher. Screening recommendations for patients with certain genetic syndromes or specific risk factors for thyroid nodules and cancer continue to evolve ultrasound is the most appropriate imaging modality for evaluating thyroid nodules in all patients, but radiographic risk stratification systems validated in adults have not been extensively studied in children. Criteria for proceeding to fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy differ some between children and adults, with nodule size being less of a consideration in young patients. Molecular testing continues to improve the diagnostic capabilities of FNA for all age groups, but options for pediatric thyroid nodules are currently limited. In children, only oncogene panels are validated and their exact utility, along with miRNA classifiers, is an evolving area of study. For adults, data support selection of a specific molecular test based on ultrasound characteristics and pretest probability of malignancy. Multiple series have shown that fusion mutations are more common in pediatric thyroid nodules, while point mutations are seen more often in adult thyroid nodules. Molecular data help guide management recommendations regarding the need for surgery when FNA is indeterminate, but clinical use is still being refined. Radiofrequency ablation is a nonoperative approach that has gained significant traction for the treatment of symptomatic benign nodules in adults, but data are currently extremely limited in children. SUMMARY There are difference in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules in adults and children, the nuances of which are important for clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Goldfarb
- Center for Endocrine Tumors, Saint Johns Cancer Institute at Providence Saint Johns Health Center, Santa Monica
| | - Catherine Dinauer
- Section of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Tuli G, Munarin J, Scollo M, Quaglino F, De Sanctis L. Evaluation of the efficacy of EU-TIRADS and ACR-TIRADS in risk stratification of pediatric patients with thyroid nodules. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1041464. [PMID: 36482990 PMCID: PMC9723319 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1041464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric thyroid nodules have a lower prevalence but a higher rate of malignancy (ROM) than those in adults. Ultrasound features suspected of malignancy lead to fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and subsequent cytological determination, upon which management is decided. Based on the characteristics of ultrasound, to standardize clinician decisions and avoid unnecessary FNAB, the European Thyroid Association and the American Radiology College have established guidelines for Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS and ACR-TIRADS) for ROM stratification of thyroid nodules. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ACR-TIRADS and EU-TIRADS in pediatric age. MATERIALS AND METHODS Subjects younger than 18 years of age with thyroid nodules greater than 0.5 cm observed in the 2000-2020 period were included. RESULTS Data from 200 subjects were collected. The overall ROM was 13%, rising to 26% if nodules with a diameter >1 cm were considered. Patients with a malignant nodule were more likely to have a higher EU-TIRADS score (p=0.03). Missed cancer diagnoses were 26.9%. Using the EU-TIRADS system, 40% of FNABs could have been avoided, while this scoring system would have resulted in FNAB being performed in 12% of cases where the assessment of ultrasound features would not recommend FNAB. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 73.1%, 57.1%, 73.1%, and 50%, respectively. Even considering the ACR-TIRADS, a higher score correlated with a higher ROM (p<0.001). This system missed 6 diagnoses of cancer (23.1%). Using the ACR-TIRADS system, 45.3% of FNABs could have been avoided, while FNAB should have been performed in 12% of cases where it was not recommended by ultrasound characteristics. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 76.9%, 50%, 76.9%, and 42.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION The present study confirms the correspondence of the EU-TIRADS and ACR-TIRADS categories with respect to malignancy but indicates not entirely satisfactory performance compared to FNAB alone. However, the use of the two TIRADS systems should be encouraged in multicentre studies to increase their performance and establish paediatric-specific points in the scoring criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerdi Tuli
- Department of Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Turin, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- *Correspondence: Gerdi Tuli,
| | - Jessica Munarin
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Turin, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Mariapia Scollo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Quaglino
- Department of General Surgery, "Maria Vittoria" Hospital Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Città di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Luisa De Sanctis
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Turin, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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