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Wang Z, Ji X, Zhang H, Sun W. Clinical and molecular features of progressive papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Int J Surg 2024; 110:2313-2322. [PMID: 38241301 PMCID: PMC11019976 DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000001117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, the prevalence of thyroid cancer has risen substantially, with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) constituting over 50% of cases. Although most PTMCs exhibit indolent growth and a favorable prognosis, some present an increased risk of recurrence and an unfavorable prognosis due to high-risk characteristics such as lymph node metastasis, extrathyroidal extension, and distant metastasis. The early identification of clinically progressing PTMC remains elusive. In this review, the authors summarize findings from PTMC progression-related literature, highlighting that factors such as larger tumor size, cervical lymph node metastasis, extrathyroidal extension, younger age, higher preoperative serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, family history, and obesity positively correlate with PTMC progression. The role of multifocality in promoting PTMC progression; however, remains contentious. Furthermore, recent studies have shed light on the impact of mutations, such as BRAF and TERT mutations, on PTMC progression. Researchers have identified several mRNAs, noncoding RNAs, and proteins associated with various features of PTMC progression. Some studies propose that peripheral and tumor tissue-infiltrating immune cells could serve as biomarkers for the clinical progression of PTMC. Collectively, these clinical and molecular features offer a rationale for the early detection and the development of precision theranostic strategies of clinically progressive PTMC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China
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Shi L, Le K, Qi H, Feng Y, Zhou L, Wang J, Xie L. The safety and efficacy of delayed surgery by simulating clinical progression of observable papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a retrospective analysis of 524 patients from a single medical center. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1046014. [PMID: 37881490 PMCID: PMC10597687 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1046014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective When active surveillance (AS) is developed in the patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), a medical center needs to ensure the delayed operation that is caused by PTMC clinical progression to have the same prognosis as that of immediate operation. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of delayed surgery by simulating clinical progression (tumor size enlargement and appearance of lymph node metastasis) of PTMCs with AS in a single medical center. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the response to therapy in 317 papillary thyroid carcinoma patients treated with total thyroidectomy and post-operative radioactive iodine ablation. They were classified into three groups according to tumor size (group A ≤0.5 cm; group B >0.5 cm and ≤1 cm; group C >1 cm and ≤1.5 cm) or two groups according to the presence (cN1) or absence (cN0) of the clinical lymph node (LN) metastasis. Groups C and cN1 were regarded as simulated clinical progression of observational PTMC and the operation for them was assumed to be "delayed surgery". However, Groups A, B and cN0 were regarded as no clinical progression and the operation for them was considered as immediate surgery. Results There were no significantly differences in excellent response to therapy and recurrence-free survival not only among the group A, B and C, but also between the group cN0 and cN1. In other words, these insignificant differences were found between immediate and simulated "delayed" surgeries. Conclusion For the PTMC patients suitable for AS, the oncological outcomes were also excellent even if surgery was delayed until after the presence of clinical progression, according to our clinical simulation. Furthermore, we consider that it was feasible for medical centers to assess the ability to implement AS for PTMC patients by retrospectively analyzing their own previous clinical data using the described simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuhong Shi
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kehao Le
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiou Qi
- Department of Nursing, Affiliated to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yibing Feng
- Department of Second Surgery, Longyou County People’s Hospital, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianbiao Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Xie
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Wang Z, Gui Z, Wang Z, Huang J, He L, Dong W, Zhang D, Zhang T, Shao L, Shi J, Wu P, Ji X, Zhang H, Sun W. Clinical and ultrasonic risk factors for high-volume central lymph node metastasis in cN0 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: A retrospective study and meta-analysis. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2023; 98:609-621. [PMID: 36263602 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) comprises more than 50% of all newly detected cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). High-volume lymph node metastasis (involving >5 lymph nodes) (hv-LNM) is associated with PTMC recurrence. In half of the clinically node-negative (cN0) PTMC patients, central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is pathologically present. However, clinical risk factors for high-volume CLNM (hv-CLNM) in cN0 PTMC have not been defined well. Therefore, we aimed to obtain evidence for hv-CLNM risk factors in cN0 PTMC. DESIGN Data on patients who visited our hospital between January 2020 and December 2021 were collected; a preoperative diagnosis of cN0 and a postoperative pathological confirmation of PTMC were obtained. After filtering by inclusion versus exclusion criteria, the obtained data (N = 2268) were included in the meta-analysis. Relevant studies published as of 10 April 2022, were identified from the Web of Science, PubMed, WANFANG, and CNKI databases. These eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis and the association between clinicopathological factors and hv-CLNM in cN0 PTMC was assessed. SPSS and MetaXL were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS The meta-analysis included 10 previous studies (11,734 patients) and 2268 patients enroled in our hospital for a total of 14,002 subjects. The results of which suggested that younger age (<40, odds ratio [OR] = 3.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.75-3.92, p < .001 or <45 odds ratio [OR] = 2.93, 95% CI = 2.31-3.72, p < .001), male sex (OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 2.25-3.52, p < .001), tumour size >5 mm (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.39-2.47, p < .001), multifocality (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.56-2.26, p < .001), extrathyroidal extension (OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 2.02-3.30, p < .001), capsule invasion (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.46-2.78, p < .001), microcalcification (OR = 3.25, 95% CI = 2.42-4.36, p < .001) and rich blood flow (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.21-2.25, p = .002) were the significant factors related to an elevated hv-CLNM risk in cN0 PTMC patients. Hashimoto thyroiditis (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.55-1.07, p = .114), irregular margin (versus regular margin, OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.68-1.33, p = .787) and hypoechoic (versus nonhypoechoic, OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 0.84-1.92, p = .261) showed no significant association with hv-CLNM. CONCLUSIONS Younger age, tumour size >5 mm, males, extrathyroidal extension, multifocality, microcalcification, capsular invasion, and rich blood flow were the significant clinicopathological risk factors for hv-CLNM risk in cN0 PTMC patients. These predictors may compensate for the sensitivity of imaging diagnosis in the preoperative period, thus helping in the effective identification of PTMCs with an invasive phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Wang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Gui
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Zhihong Wang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Jiapeng Huang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Liang He
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Wenwu Dong
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Dalin Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Liang Shao
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Jinyuan Shi
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Pu Wu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Ji
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
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Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Age, and Tumor Size are Risk Factors for Progression During Active Surveillance of Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma in Adults. World J Surg 2023; 47:392-401. [PMID: 36182976 PMCID: PMC9803751 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-022-06770-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Active surveillance (AS) of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) was initiated at Kuma Hospital in 1993 and is gradually spreading worldwide. We assessed the effect of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels on PTMC enlargement in patients on AS. METHODS We enrolled 2705 patients with cytologically diagnosed PTMC who had undergone AS between January 2005 and July 2019. Patients with Graves disease were excluded. The median AS period was 5.5 years (range 1.0-15.7 years). Tumor enlargement was defined as a size increase ≥3 mm. Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, Cox proportional hazard, and logistic regression were used to compare variables. RESULTS Ninety-two patients (3.4%) experienced tumor enlargement; the 5-, 10-, and 15-year enlargement rates were 3.0%, 5.5%, and 6.2%, respectively. Young age (<40 years, p < 0.001), large tumor size (≥9 mm, p = 0.017), and high detailed TSH score (≥3, higher than the lower normal limit, p = 0.011) were significant factors relating to tumor enlargement in the multivariate analysis. In a subset of patients aged <40 years, a low detailed TSH score (<3) was an independent factor against tumor enlargement (p = 0.039). Only 22 patients (0.8%) experienced novel lymph node metastasis; the 5-, 10-, and 15-year node metastasis rates were very low, at 0.9%, 1.1%, and 1.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Young patients with PTMC are more likely to experience tumor growth. Mild TSH suppression to achieve a low normal range may prevent carcinoma enlargement; however, prospective studies are needed to draw more reliable conclusions.
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Faro FN, Simões VRF, Ricardo GP, Cabral CP, de Cássia Braga Ribeiro K, Scalissi NM, Cury AN, Marone MM, do Prado Padovani R, Ferraz C. Prognostic factors for incomplete response in thyroid microcarcinoma: an analysis of initial response to therapy in 517 patients. ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2021; 65:579-587. [PMID: 33740337 PMCID: PMC10528575 DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) usually has a favorable prognosis, some patients present a higher risk of disease recurrence or persistence. Thus, we aimed at identifying possible risk factors associated with an incomplete response to therapy in TMC. METHODS This was a retrospective study of 517 patients with TMC treated with total thyroidectomy, with or without radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy, reclassified after 1.1 ± 0.4 years according to the response to treatment into "favourable" (excellent/indeterminate) or "unfavorable" (biochemical/structural incomplete) responses. We evaluated participants' age, sex, tumor size, histological variants, multifocality, presence of vascular/lymphatic/perineural invasion, extrathyroidal extension, metastatic lymph nodes (LN), and distant metastasis. The effect of RAI therapy on the response range was analyzed in a given subgroup. RESULTS The mean age observed was 46.4 ± 12.0 years, and 89.7% were female. We noted 97.5% with papillary carcinoma, 27.8% with multifocality and 11.2% with LN metastasis. Although the majority of patients had a low risk of recurrence/persistence (78%), 75% were submitted to RAI therapy. Incomplete response (20.7%) was associated with multifocality (p=0.041; OR=1.619) and metastatic LN (p=0.041; OR=1.868). These variables were strongly correlated (p=0.000; OR=3.283). No cut-off of tumor size was identified as a predictor of incomplete response by the receiver operating curve analysis. RAI treatment did not influence the response of patients with multifocality or LN metastasis. CONCLUSION Multifocality and LN metastasis are independent risk factors for incomplete response in TMC patients and are strongly correlated. Additional RAI therapy was not associated with a more favorable response in these subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Nascimento Faro
- Unidade de Doenças da Tireoide, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Vivian Roberta Ferreira Simões
- Unidade de Doenças da Tireoide, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Gustavo Piech Ricardo
- Unidade de Doenças da Tireoide, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Cristal Peters Cabral
- Unidade de Doenças da Tireoide, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Nilza Maria Scalissi
- Unidade de Doenças da Tireoide, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Adriano Namo Cury
- Unidade de Doenças da Tireoide, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Marília Martins Marone
- Serviço de Medicina Nuclear, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Rosália do Prado Padovani
- Unidade de Doenças da Tireoide, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Serviço de Medicina Nuclear, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Carolina Ferraz
- Unidade de Doenças da Tireoide, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil,
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Nabhan F, Dedhia PH, Ringel MD. Thyroid cancer, recent advances in diagnosis and therapy. Int J Cancer 2021; 149:984-992. [PMID: 34013533 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Over the past several decades, the approach to the diagnosis and management of patients with follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer has evolved based on improved classification of patients better matching clinical outcomes, as well as advances in imaging, laboratory, molecular technologies and knowledge. While thyroid surgery, radioactive iodine therapy and TSH suppression remain the mainstays of treatment, this expansion of knowledge has enabled de-escalation of therapy for individuals diagnosed with low-risk well-differentiated thyroid cancer; better definition of treatment choices for patients with more aggressive disease; and improved ability to optimize treatments for patients with persistent and/or progressive disease. Most recently, the advancement of knowledge regarding the molecular aspects of thyroid cancer has improved thyroid cancer diagnosis and has enabled individualized therapeutic options for selected patients with the most aggressive forms of the disease. Guidelines from multiple societies across the world reflect these changes, which focus on taking a more individualized approach to clinical management. In this review, we discuss the current more personalized approach to patients with follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer and point toward areas of future research still needed in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Nabhan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Cancer Biology Program, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Priya H Dedhia
- Cancer Biology Program, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthew D Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Cancer Biology Program, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Poller DN, Cochand-Priollet B, Trimboli P. Thyroid FNA terminology: The case for a single unified international system for thyroid FNA reporting. Cytopathology 2021; 32:714-717. [PMID: 34050989 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.13017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The use of reporting terminologies for thyroid FNA cytology enables standardisation and international alignment of the reporting of thyroid cytology results, which is essential. There are currently three major internationally recognised systems: Bethesda (TBS), UK RCPath (Thy), and Italian (TIR). A fourth terminology system used in Japan has identical categories to TBS but with different nomenclature. The aim of this review is to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the TBS, UK RCPath, and TIR systems, and to make the case for international terminology harmonisation and standardisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David N Poller
- Department of Pathology Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK.,UCL Cancer Institute, Bloomsbury, London, UK
| | | | - Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Clinic for Endocrinology and Diabetology, Lugano Regional Hospital, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland.,Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
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Seo YK, Cho SW, Sim JS, Yang GE, Cho W. Radiofrequency Ablation of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF RADIOLOGY 2021; 82:914-922. [PMID: 36238050 PMCID: PMC9514404 DOI: 10.3348/jksr.2020.0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Kyeong Seo
- Department of Radiology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Seong Whi Cho
- Department of Radiology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Jung Suk Sim
- Department of Radiology, Withsim Clinic, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Go Eun Yang
- Department of Radiology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Woojin Cho
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Withsim Clinic, Seongnam, Korea
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Matrone A, Faranda A, Latrofa F, Gambale C, Stefani Donati D, Molinaro E, Agate L, Viola D, Piaggi P, Torregrossa L, Basolo F, Elisei R. Thyroglobulin Changes are Highly Dependent on TSH in Low-risk DTC Patients not Treated with Radioiodine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5845992. [PMID: 32453405 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is currently rarely treated with radioiodine (131I) to ablate the postoperative remnant. Therefore, the interpretation of the serum thyroglobulin (Tg) values should be reconsidered. The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes in Tg values during follow-up with regard to the changing values in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated 271 low-risk DTC patients, treated with total thyroidectomy but not 131I. To be included, patients had to be negative for Tg antibodies and have at least 3 evaluations in our department. All patients were on levothyroxine (L-T4) therapy. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 73 months, the overall Tg values were stable, while TSH values slightly increased. Therefore, we pooled data of Tg and TSH from all evaluations and a significant positive correlation was demonstrated (R = 0.2; P < 0.01), and was also demonstrated when we performed the analysis using time-weighted values (R = 0.14; P = 0.02). Moreover, when dividing patients into 3 groups according to first postoperative Tg (Group A [Tg < 0.2 ng/ml], Group B [Tg 0.2-1 ng/ml], and Group C [Tg > 1 ng/ml]) most patients showed stable values of Tg at the end of follow-up but TSH variations had a clear impact on the changes in Tg among the groups. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that in low-risk DTC not treated with 131I, serum Tg remains substantially stable over time, and the variations observed were correlated with the concomitant variations of TSH levels, mainly due to the modification of LT-4 therapy performed according to the ongoing risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Matrone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessio Faranda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Latrofa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carla Gambale
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Delio Stefani Donati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Molinaro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Agate
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - David Viola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Piaggi
- Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Liborio Torregrossa
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, Anatomic Pathology Section, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fulvio Basolo
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, Anatomic Pathology Section, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Elisei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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