Follicular neoplasms of the thyroid: what to recommend

Risk of malignancy in Thy3 thyroid nodules

Objective. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy in humans. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is now considered the best diagnostic tool for the evaluation of any thyroid nodule. Thyroid cytology is graded from Thy1 to Thy5 with Thy3 being the most challenging in diagnosis. Our aim was to identify the risk of malignancy in Thy3 cytology in our centre. This risk should be explained to the patient before taking any decision. Methods. One hundred and one patients were included in our study. All patients had Thy3 cytology on preoperative ultrasound scan guided FNAC. All patients had diagnostic hemithyroidectomy. The results from the histology were compared with the cytology findings and the rates of malignancy were identified. Results. Of the 101 patients, 17 were males and 84 females. Average age for diagnosis was 52.4±15 years of age. Patients were classified into three groups; patient who had completely benign histology (n=70), patients who had incidental finding of micro-carcinoma after diagnostic hemithyroidectomy (n=10), and patients who had thyroid macro-carcinomas (n=21). Total rate of malignancy was 30.7% when combining both the malignant and the incidental groups and 20.8% when excluding the incidental group. Conclusion. Our rates of malignancy in Thy3 cytology are similar to the literature. These rates should be explained clearly to the patient during the preoperative counselling. Future advances in biomarkers technology may help to improve the preoperative diagnostic accuracy and reduce the rate of unnecessary thyroid surgery.

Ultrasonographic and cytologic assessments of follicular neoplasms of the thyroid: Predictive features differentiating follicular carcinoma from follicular adenoma

Background

The preoperative diagnosis of follicular neoplasm of the thyroid is challenging due to difficulties in the assessment of capsular invasion. This study aimed to identify ultrasonographic (US) and cytopathologic features that are characteristic of follicular adenoma and carcinoma to aid in their differential diagnosis.

Methods

A total of 98 surgically resected nodules diagnosed as follicular neoplasms between 2011 and 2012 were analyzed. US findings were reviewed according to the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS). Six cytologic features (high cellularity, abundant microfollicles, cell crowding/nuclear overlapping, isolated cells, homogeneous nuclei, abundant colloid) were reviewed quantitatively. The radiologic findings and quantification of cytologic features were correlated with final diagnoses.

Results

In total, 70 (71.4%) and 28 (28.6%) of the nodules were follicular adenomas and follicular carcinomas, respectively. US findings of a heterogeneous echogenicity, speculated/ill-defined margin, and presence of calcifications were significantly associated with follicular carcinoma (p<0.05). Calcifications had a predilection for pericapsular areas than for stromal areas in follicular carcinomas, whereas their location was more varied in follicular adenomas. No cytologic feature was significantly different between follicular adenomas and carcinomas.

Conclusion

Distinct from follicular adenomas, follicular carcinomas are characterized by heterogeneous echogenicity, speculated/ill-defined margin, and presence of calcifications on US. Thus, US findings can be helpful to differentiate between these two follicular neoplasms.

Hürthle Cell Carcinoma: Single Center Analysis and Considerations for Surgical Management Based on the Recent Literature

BACKGROUND

Hürthle cell carcinoma (HCC) of the thyroid is rare. There are contrasting data on its clinical behavior. The aim of this study was to describe clinic-pathological features and outcomes of HCC patients at our institution, in order to adapt our surgical management.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 51 cases of HCC treated at the interdisciplinary endocrine center of the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany between 2005 and 2020.

RESULTS

Patients median age was 63 years (range 29-78) with 64.7% of cases being female. Primary treatment included surgery and postoperative radioiodine therapy with 3.7 GBq in all patients. Surgery consisted of total thyroidectomy in all cases and additional central lymphadenectomy in 90.2% of cases. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 11 (range 2-31). Lymph node involvement was found in two (4.3%) pT4a tumors. In all other cases (95.7%), central lymphadenectomy was prophylactic and lymph nodes were free of metastasis in final histopathology. Twelve (23.5%) patients with incomplete biochemical response to primary treatment were diagnosed with structural relapse during the course of disease, for which seven (58.4%) underwent resection of isolated cervical metastasis. Histopathology revealed soft tissue implants in all cases and cervical surgery led to biochemical and radiologic cure in only two (28.5%) cases. Five (41.6%) patients developed metastatic disease, followed by systemic therapy in two patients. Vascular invasion of the primary tumor was significantly associated with relapse (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrence of HCC was common in this study. Given the low rate of lymph node metastases both in this study and in recent literature and the nature of relapse (soft tissue instead of nodal metastasis), the benefit of routine prophylactic central lymph node dissection for HCC remains unclear, especially in the absence of vascular invasion from the primary tumor.

Efficacy of Differential Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules by Shear Wave Elastography-the Stiffness Map

BACKGROUND

Fine needle aspiration is the gold standard for differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules; however, the malignancy rate for indeterminate cytology is 20% to 50%.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the efficacy of shear wave elastography added to ultrasonography for differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 258 consecutive patients. Thyroid nodules were divided into 4 categories according to maximum elasticity (EMax) and nodule depth/width (D/W) ratio: Category 1 (EMax ≥ 42.6 kPa; D/W < 0.9); Category 2 (EMax < 42.6 kPa; D/W < 0.9); Category 3 (EMax ≥ 42.6 kPa; D/W ≥ 0.9); and Category 4 (EMax < 42.6 kPa; D/W ≥ 0.9). The EMax cutoff value was set using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to predict nodular hyperplasia (NH) vs follicular neoplasm (FN). Cutoff value for nodule D/W ratio was set using ROC curve analysis for malignancy.

RESULTS

NH was the most prevalent pathology group in Category 1, FN in Category 2, and papillary thyroid carcinoma in Category 3. Category 3 demonstrated the highest rate of malignancy (81.8%) and had 55.4% sensitivity and 90% specificity for predicting malignancy. When assessing the benign pathology of NH in follicular patterned lesion, Category 1 demonstrated the highest NH prevalence of 88.9% (34/37) and had 73.9% sensitivity and 85.0% specificity.

CONCLUSION

The performance for malignancy was highest in Category 3 and predictive ability for benign pathology of NH in follicular lesion was highest in Category 1. The information of EMax and nodule D/W ratio was useful to predict the pathology of thyroid nodules.

Targeted use of intraoperative frozen-section analysis lowers the frequency of completion thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

The impact of intraoperative frozen section (iFS) analysis on the frequency of completion thyroidectomy for the management of thyroid carcinoma is controversial. Although specialized endocrine centres have published their respective results, there are insufficient data from primary and secondary healthcare levels. The aim of this study was to analyse the utility of iFS analysis.

METHODS

In the Prospective Evaluation Study Thyroid Surgery (PETS) 2 study, 22 011 operations for benign and malignant thyroid disease were registered prospectively in 68 European hospitals from 1 July 2010 to 31 December 2012. Group 1 consisted of 569 patients from University Medical Centre (UMC) Mainz, and group 2 comprised 21 442 patients from other PETS 2 participating hospitals. UMC Mainz exercised targeted but liberal use of iFS analysis for suspected malignant nodules. iFS analysis was compared with standard histological examination regarding the correct distinction between benign and malignant disease. The percentage of completion thyroidectomies was assessed for the participating hospitals.

RESULTS

iFS analysis was performed in 35.70 per cent of patients in group 1 versus 21.80 per cent of those in group 2 (risk ratio (RR) 1.6, 95 per cent c.i. 1.5 to 1.8; P < 0.001). Sensitivity of iFS analysis was 75.0 per cent in group 1 versus 63.50 per cent in group 2 (RR 1.2, 1.2 to 1.3; P = 0.040). Completion surgery was necessary in 8.10 per cent of patients in group 1 versus 20.8 per cent of those in group 2 (RR 0.4, 0.2 to 0.7; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

iFS analysis is a useful tool in determining the appropriate surgical management of thyroid disease. Targeted use of iFS was associated with a significantly higher sensitivity for the detection of malignancy, and with a significantly reduced necessity for completion surgery.

Conventional ultrasound characteristics, TI-RADS category and shear wave speed measurement between follicular adenoma and follicular thyroid carcinoma

The purpose of the study was to explore the differences of conventional ultrasound characteristics, thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) category and shear wave speed (SWS) measurement between follicular adenoma (FA) and follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). Twenty-eight FTCs and 67 FAs proven by surgery were retrospectively included for analysis. Conventional ultrasound and point-shear wave elastography (p-SWE) were performed in all of the included patients. The ultrasound features, American Thyroid Association (ATA) TI-RADS category and American College of Radiology (ACR) TI-RADS category, SWS measurement were compared between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed and area under ROC curve (AUC) was obtained for significant features. There were no statistical differences in mean age (46.9±15.7years vs. 48.6±13.6years, P = 0.639), gender (9 males, 32.1% vs. 18 males, 29.0%, P = 0.766) and mean diameter (28.3±16.2 mm vs. 33.8±11.9 mm, P = 0.077) between FTCs and FAs. Hypoechogenicity, lobulated or irregular margin, macrocalcification were more common in FTCs than FAs (all P < 0.05). Mean SWS of FTCs (2.29±0.64 m/s) was slightly higher than that of FAs (1.94±0.68 m/s) (P = 0.023). The AUCs were 0.655, 0.744, and 0.744 with the cut-off SWS≥1.89 m/s, ACR TI-RADS category 4 and intermediate suspicion of ATA TI-RADS category. The sensitivity and AUC were 82.1% and 0.812 with combined ultrasound features of hypoechogenicity, lobulated or irregular margin and macrocalcification. In Conclusion, SWS measurement and TI-RADS categories were useful for the identification of FTCs from FAs.

Thyroid surgery in children and young adults: potential overtreatment and complications

Purpose

Thyroid nodules in the pediatric population are more frequently associated with malignant thyroid disease than in adult cohorts. Yet, there is a potential risk of surgical overtreatment. With this single center study, an analysis of potential overtreatment for suspected malignant thyroid disease in children and young adults was aimed for.

Methods

In a period from 2005 to 2018, 155 thyroid operations in children and young adults performed at the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany, were analyzed (patient age 3–20 years, 117 female). Cases were categorized for preoperative diagnosis: non-malignant (group I, n = 45) and malignant thyroid disease (group II, n = 110). Postoperative parameters (histology, complication rates) were assessed and compared between groups.

Results

91.1% of group I were histologically benign. 44.5% of group II harbored malignancy. Permanent hypoparathyroidism was documented in group I (2.7%) and in group II (1.4%, p = 1.000). Wound infections were absent in group I but observed in group II (0.9%, p = 1.000). Transient vocal cord palsy was recorded only in group I (2.3%, 2/85 vs. 0/177 nerves at risk, p = 0.104). Permanent vocal cord palsies were absent.

Conclusion

Preoperative diagnoses were correct in over 90% of group I and in nearly 45% of group II. The high proportion of carcinomas in group II ruled out the issue of potential overtreatment. The risk of severe postoperative complications was equally low in both patient groups.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00423-020-01896-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Efficacy of dual use of Tc-99m-pertechnetate and Tc-99m-tetrofosmin scintigraphy for the assessment of thyroid nodules

INTRODUCTION

Radioisotope methods have shown to be useful in the non-invasive diagnosis of thyroid nodules over the past years. The present prospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of gamma imaging using single and dual tracer using Tc-99m pertechnetate and Tc-99m tetrofosmin for evaluation and management of thyroid nodules.

METHODS

Dynamic (perfusion) imaging was performed after injecting 148-185 MBq (4-5 mCi) of Tc-99m pertechnetate followed by static imaging. A second, dynamic (perfusion) imaging study within same week was performed with 296-370MBq (8-10mCi) of Tc-99m tetrofosmin on same group of patients followed by early and delayed images. Results of radionuclide perfusion scan from both studies were compared qualitatively with postsurgical histopathology or fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

RESULTS

Total 65 nodules in 50 patients were included in the study. With single tracer, the specificity and accuracy of Tc-99m pertechnetate was 23% and 45% and for Tc-99m tetrofosmin scan was 40% and 49%. When dual tracers were evaluated for the same group of patients, the specificity was 56% and accuracy was 55%.

CONCLUSION

Dual Tracer technique with Tc-99m pertechnetate and Tc-99m tetrofosmin could be helpful in selecting nodules need surgical intervention. This technique can be used for convenient and rapid diagnostic evaluation of thyroid nodules non-invasively. We suggest a combination of fine needle aspiration biopsy and dual use of Tc-99m-pertechnetate and Tc-99m-tetrofosmin as a routine diagnostic approach to thyroid nodules.

Role of frozen section in the surgical management of indeterminate thyroid nodules

Indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs) correspond to the categories III (atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion of undetermined significance) and IV (follicular neoplasm or suspicious for a follicular neoplasm) of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology. Their malignancy risk is 5-15% and 15-30% respectively, imposing surgical treatment for definitive diagnosis. Thus, they represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge given the risk of over or under treatment. Several teams continue to perform systematic intraoperative frozen sections (FS) in order to guide the initial extent of surgery and to avoid a two-stage thyroidectomy. FS have a very high specificity and positive predictive value for the diagnosis of malignancy allowing a one-stage total thyroidectomy if the result is positive. However, this attitude is highly controversial; and this review of the literature demonstrates that FS is of little contribution in this setting, due to low sensitivity and high false-negative rates. In fact, for these lesions, a careful and comprehensive evaluation of the tumor capsule is mandatory in order to visualize a capsular or a vascular invasion permitting to make the diagnosis of malignancy. However, this assessment is only possible on permanent section. Moreover, FS can jeopardize the detection of signs of capsular invasion on final pathologic examination. The recent development of molecular testing results in a better preoperative diagnosis, thus reducing even more the need for intraoperative FS. Contrasting with their limited role in Bethesda III and IV categories, FS are useful in guiding the preoperative management of Bethesda V category nodules, given their high negative and positive predictive values. Intraoperative FS of ITNs are of little use and are not recommended systematically. Their use should be restricted to elderly, high anesthetic risk, or poorly compliant patients for whom an eventual subsequent complementary surgery may be problematic.

Can Nodular Hyperplasia of the Thyroid Gland be Differentiated From Follicular Adenoma and Follicular Carcinoma by Ultrasonography?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic features for differentiation of follicular thyroid lesions.

METHODS

Ultrasonographic features of surgically confirmed 56 follicular adenoma (FA), 22 follicular carcinoma (FC), and 100 nodular hyperplasia (NH) were evaluated using univariable and multivariable multinomial logistic regression analyses, receiver operating characteristic analyses, and areas under the curve.

RESULTS

Tumor diameter, margin, echotexture, cystic changes, calcification, hypoechoic rim, and vascularity were significant on univariable analysis. On multivariable logistic regression analyses, tumor diameter (FA, P = 0.002; odds ratio [OR], 0.75; FC, P = 0.001; OR, 2.02), absence of cystic changes (FA, P = 0.127; OR, 2.21; FC, P ≤ 0.001; OR, 17.74), absence of spongiform appearance (FA, P = 0.234; OR, 0.31; FC, P < 0.001; OR,  1673.46), and peripheral vascularity (FA, P = 0.004; OR, 26.64; FC, P < 0.001; OR, 145060.38) differed significantly among the 3 follicular lesions, with NH as a reference. The areas under the curve for NH, FA, and FC were 0.844, 0.858, and 0.705, respectively, and diagnostic accuracy was 72.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor diameter, cystic changes, spongiform appearance, and peripheral vascularity differed significantly among follicular lesions. The diagnostic capability was moderate.

Thyroid Frozen Sections in Patients With Preoperative FNAs: Review of Surgeons' Preoperative Rationale, Intraoperative Decisions, and Final Outcome

OBJECTIVES

We wished to discover (1) in what circumstances surgeons wished to request frozen sections (FSs) on thyroid nodules having a prior fine needle aspiration (FNA) and the preoperative plan in these cases; (2) what the surgeons did with the information provided by FS and (3) in what types of cases was value added with the FS.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed of 121 consecutive patients receiving an intraoperative FS diagnosis on a thyroid nodule, all of which had been evaluated with a preoperative FNA.

RESULTS

The medical record documented rationale for the request in 83% of cases. The most common reason for a FS request of a nodule was whether a planned hemithyroidectomy should proceed to a total thyroidectomy (TT). This scenario led to a TT in 9% of patients with a FNA diagnosed as benign thyroid nodule, 16% diagnosed as follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm and 69% diagnosed as suspicious for malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

The stated rationale for FSs in patients with preoperative FNA was not supported by patient outcome in most cases. There may be some utility for FSs in lesions with a suspicious for malignancy preoperative FNA diagnosis.

Treatment of thyroid follicular carcinoma

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma includes 2 different tumor types, papillary (PC) and follicular carcinoma (FC), and although similar, their prognosis is different. FC is uncommon, and this has led to it often being analyzed together with PC, and therefore the true reality of this tumor is difficult to know. As a result, the diagnostic and therapeutic management and the prognostic factors in differentiated carcinoma are more predictive of PC than FC. In this review we analyze the current state of many of the therapeutic aspects of this pathology. The best surgical technique and the usefulness of associated lymphadenectomy is also analyzed. Regarding post-surgical ablation with 131I, the indications, doses and usefulness are discussed. For the remaining therapies we analyze the few indications for radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and of new drugs such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Diagnosis of thyroid follicular neoplasm: fine-needle aspiration versus core-needle biopsy

BACKGROUND

Although fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a safe and accurate diagnostic procedure for assessing thyroid nodules, it has limitations in diagnosing follicular neoplasms due to its relatively high false-positive rate. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of core-needle biopsy (CNB) for thyroid nodules with follicular neoplasm (FN) in comparison with FNA.

METHODS

A series of 107 patients (24 men, 83 women; mean age, 47.4 years) from 231 FNAs and 107 patients (29 men, 78 women; mean age, 46.3 years) from 186 CNBs with FN readings, all of whom underwent surgery, from October 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The false-positive rate, unnecessary surgery rate, and malignancy rate for the FNA and CNB patients according to the final diagnosis following surgery were evaluated.

RESULTS

The CNB showed a significantly lower false-positive and unnecessary surgery rate than the FNA (4.7% versus 30.8%, 3.7% versus 26.2%, p < 0.001, respectively). In the FNA group, 33 patients (30.8%) had non-neoplasms, including nodular hyperplasia (n = 32) and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (n = 1). In the CNB group, 5 patients (4.7%) had non-neoplasms, all of which were nodular hyperplasia. Moreover, the CNB group showed a significantly higher malignancy rate than FNA (57.9% versus 28%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CNB showed a significantly lower false-positive rate and a higher malignancy rate than FNA in diagnosing FN. Therefore, CNB could minimize unnecessary surgery and provide diagnostic confidence when managing patients with FN to perform surgery.

BRAF mutation analysis in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology: our experience on surgical management of patients with thyroid nodules from an area of borderline iodine deficiency

PURPOSE

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with cytologic evaluation is the most reliable tool for malignancy prediction in thyroid nodules, but cytologic diagnosis remains indeterminate for 12-18 % of nodules. BRAF V600E mutation has been reported to show a high specificity for malignant thyroid nodules and the use of this marker to refine indeterminate FNA cytology results may be a useful diagnostic adjunctive tool in the pre-operative evaluation of thyroid nodules. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of BRAF exon 15 mutation (V600E) and its clinical value as a diagnostic tool in a series of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology from an area of borderline iodine deficiency.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

One hundred and fifty-three thyroid samples obtained by FNA of thyroid nodules from 151 patients were subjected to the analysis of BRAF V600E mutation by direct sequencing. In the study 54 nodules with indeterminate cytology, 56 benign and 43 malignant thyroid nodules were included.

RESULTS

V600E BRAF gene mutation was demonstrated in 19/43 malignant nodules, in 0/56 benign nodules and in only 1/54 indeterminate nodules that, after histology, turned out to be at a papillary thyroid carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of BRAF exon 15 analysis showed limitations when applied to discriminate thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology if wild-type BRAF is found, and there is no role for avoiding diagnostic thyroid surgery.

Follicular nodules (Thy3) of the thyroid: is total thyroidectomy the best option?

Background

Identification of the best management strategy for nodules with Thy3 cytology presents particular problems for clinicians. This study investigates the ability of clinical, cytological and sonographic data to predict malignancy in indeterminate nodules with the scope of determining the need for total thyroidectomy in these patients.

Methods

The study population consisted of 249 cases presenting indeterminate nodules (Thy3): 198 females (79.5%) and 51 males (20.5%) with a mean age of 52.43 ± 13.68 years. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy.

Results

Malignancy was diagnosed in 87/249 patients (34.9%); thyroiditis co-existed in 119/249 cases (47.79%) and was associated with cancer in 40 cases (40/87; 45.98%). Of the sonographic characteristics, only echogenicity and the presence of irregular margins were identified as being statistically significant predictors of malignancy. 52/162 benign lesions (32.1%) and 54/87 malignant were hypoechoic (62.07%); irregular margins were present in 13/162 benign lesions (8.02%), and in 60/87 malignant lesions (68.97%). None of the clinical or cytological features, on the other hand, including age, gender, nodule size, the presence of microcalcifications or type 3 vascularization, were significantly associated with malignancy.

Conclusions

The rate of malignancy in cytologically indeterminate lesions was high in the present study sample compared to other reported rates, and in a significant number of cases Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was also detected. Thus, considering the fact that clinical and cytological features were found to be inaccurate predictors of malignancy, it is our opinion that surgery should always be recommended. Moreover, total thyroidectomy is advisable, being the most suitable procedure in cases of multiple lesions, hyperplastic nodular goiter, or thyroiditis; the high incidence of malignancy and the unreliability of intraoperative frozen section examination also support this preference for total over hemi-thyroidectomy.

Sonographic features of thyroid follicular carcinoma in comparison with thyroid follicular adenoma

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the sonographic features of thyroid follicular carcinoma in comparison with thyroid follicular adenoma.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 36 pathologically proven follicular carcinomas (5 widely invasive and 31 minimally invasive) and 52 follicular adenomas in 88 patients who underwent thyroid surgery. We analyzed the sonographic features of each tumor, including maximum diameter, peripheral halo, echogenicity, echo texture, calcifications, and nodularity. The frequencies of the sonographic features were compared by χ(2) and Fisher exact tests between follicular adenomas and carcinomas. The relative risk of malignancy was evaluated by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Predominantly solid contents, hypoechoic echogenicity, a heterogeneous echo texture, the presence of calcifications, and an absent or irregular thick halo were associated with follicular carcinoma (P < .05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that predominantly solid contents, a heterogeneous echo texture, and the presence of calcifications were associated with significant increases in the relative risk of follicular carcinoma (odds ratios, 9.4, 24.9, and 25.6, respectively; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Sonography could provide useful information for differentiating follicular carcinoma from follicular adenoma.

Thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is rapidly increasing in incidence, but the mortality rate remains flat. Debate has arisen over the need to detect or treat most thyroid cancers early, given their favorable natural history. The appropriate extent of surgery for thyroid cancer is also controversial: some researchers advocate partial and others total thyroidectomy; some advocate prophylactic central cervical lymph node dissection, whereas others only rarely recommend lymphadenectomy. Although radioactive iodine is effective, its appropriate use and dosage remain controversial. In addition, molecular analysis of thyroid cancer is frequently used for diagnostic purposes involving preoperative fine-needle biopsy specimens as well as to define targetable pathways altered in the disease to guide clinical trials of drug therapy for advanced thyroid cancers.

German Association of Endocrine Surgeons practice guideline for the surgical management of malignant thyroid tumors

INTRODUCTION

Over the past years, the incidence of thyroid cancer has surged not only in Germany but also in other countries of the Western hemisphere. This surge was first and foremost due to an increase of prognostically favorable ("low risk") papillary thyroid microcarcinomas, for which limited surgical procedures are often sufficient without loss of oncological benefit. These developments called for an update of the previous practice guideline to detail the surgical treatment options that are available for the various disease entities and tumor stages.

METHODS

The present German Association of Endocrine Surgeons practice guideline was developed on the basis of clinical evidence considering current national and international treatment recommendations through a formal expert consensus process in collaboration with the German Societies of General and Visceral Surgery, Endocrinology, Nuclear Medicine, Pathology, Radiooncology, Oncological Hematology, and a German thyroid cancer patient support organization.

RESULTS

The practice guideline for the surgical management of malignant thyroid tumors includes recommendations regarding preoperative workup; classification of locoregional nodes and terminology of surgical procedures; frequency, clinical, and histopathological features of occult and clinically apparent papillary, follicular, poorly differentiated, undifferentiated, and sporadic and hereditary medullary thyroid cancers, thyroid lymphoma and thyroid metastases from primaries outside the thyroid gland; extent of thyroidectomy; extent of lymph node dissection; aerodigestive tract resection; postoperative follow-up and surgery for recurrence and distant metastases.

CONCLUSION

These evidence-based recommendations for surgical therapy reflect various "treatment corridors" that are best discussed within multidisciplinary teams and the patient considering tumor type, stage, progression, and inherent surgical risk.

MicroRNA expression profile helps to distinguish benign nodules from papillary thyroid carcinomas starting from cells of fine-needle aspiration

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous noncoding RNAs that pair with target messengers regulating gene expression. Changes in miRNA levels occur in thyroid cancer. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with cytological evaluation is the most reliable tool for malignancy prediction in thyroid nodules, but cytological diagnosis remains undetermined for 20% of nodules.

DESIGN

In this study, we evaluated the expression of seven miRNAs in benign nodules, papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), and undetermined nodules at FNA.

METHODS

The prospective study included 141 samples obtained by FNA of thyroid nodules from 138 patients. miRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR and statistical analysis of data was performed. Genetic analysis of codon 600 of BRAF gene was also performed.

RESULTS

Using data mining techniques, we obtained a criterion to classify a nodule as benign or malignant on the basis of miRNA expression. The decision model based on the expression of miR-146b, miR-155, and miR-221 was valid for 86/88 nodules with determined cytology (97.73%), and adopting cross-validation techniques we obtained a reliability of 78.41%. The prediction was valid for 31/53 undetermined nodules with 16 false-positive and six false-negative predictions. The mutated form V600E of BRAF gene was demonstrated in 19/43 PTCs and in 1/53 undetermined nodules.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression profiles of three miRNAs allowed us to distinguish benign from PTC starting from FNA. When the assay was applied to discriminate thyroid nodules with undetermined cytology, a low sensitivity and specificity despite the low number of false-negative predictions was obtained, limiting the practical interest of the method.

Thy3 cytology: what to do next?

INTRODUCTION

Cytological analysis of thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) is aided by the 'Thy' classification. However, there is often confusion surrounding the management of patients with a Thy3 classification. A subdivision of Thy3 has been created to help reduce this dilemma but its use within the UK appears to by infrequent. This paper analyses the management of patients with Thy3 cytology from FNA of a thyroid nodule in a UK case series and reviews the relevant literature. It also describes the results of a survey of selected UK ENT departments on the use of the Thy3 classification and its subdivisions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a case series of patients was undertaken. In addition, a telephone survey of local/regional pathology departments was conducted to assess the utilisation of the Thy classification and to assess the awareness and usage of the Thy3 subdivisions.

RESULTS

A total of 39 Thy3 results (11 males, 28 females) were identified from 2007 to 2009. Of these, 24 patients went on to have surgery, 8 had a further FNA, 2 had a Tru-cut biopsy and 5 were lost to follow-up. Eleven (28.2%) patients were subsequently diagnosed with a thyroid malignancy. The survey identified that none of the departments had adopted the Thy3 subclassifications and only 40% were aware of them.

CONCLUSIONS

Thy3 results from thyroid FNA have a significant risk of malignancy but there remains confusion surrounding their management. This district general hospital has adopted and recommends the use of the Thy3 (i) and Thy3 (ii) subdivisions in order to assist decision-making and avoid delays in treatment or unnecessary surgery.

Thyroid carcinoma: the surgeon's perspective

Surgery is often needed to diagnose thyroid cancer, but is also the initial therapeutic modality. Several current imaging techniques are important for preoperative risk stratification. By optimizing initial thyroidectomy and lymphadenectomy, accurate and appropriate imaging can help minimize operative morbidity and potentially reduce the risk of recurrent disease.

Thyroid follicular neoplasm: analysis by fine needle aspiration cytology, frozen section, and histopathology

We performed a retrospective analysis of follicular neoplasm data obtained from frozen section examinations of thyroid nodules. A total of 5,660 patients underwent preoperative neck ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), surgical treatment, and follow-up at a medical institute. Patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma were excluded from this study. In 971 cases, frozen section examination was performed during the surgical treatment of follicular neoplasm that was diagnosed via FNAC. Thyroid malignancies were histologically confirmed in 25.1% of cases (244/971). Among the patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 45 were diagnosed with the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinomas (27.4%). The diagnostic sensitivity of frozen section for the nonfollicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma was better than that for the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (89.1% versus 78.9%; P = 0.1023). For 12 cases the diagnosis was atypical follicular adenomas. The diagnostic accuracy of frozen section in cases of follicular neoplasm was 76.9% with a sensitivity of 84.8% and a specificity of 98.9%. In conclusion, our analysis revealed high rates of accuracy when using frozen tissue sections for early diagnosis and treatment of follicular neoplasm; thus, an early decision to extent of surgery prevents a risky follow-up surgery.

Fine-needle aspiration of follicular patterned lesions of the thyroid: Diagnosis, management, and follow-up according to National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommendations

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) State of the Science Conference on thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) proposed that follicular patterned lesions can be divided into two diagnostic categories; follicular lesion of undetermined significance/Atypia of undetermined significance (FLUS/AUS) and suspicious for follicular neoplasm/follicular neoplasm (SFON/FON). The former group can benefit from repeat FNA (RFNA) to achieve a more definitive diagnosis and the latter should undergo surgical excision for histologic characterization (adenoma vs. carcinoma). In this study, we report the combined experience from our institutions with thyroid FNA cases that can be placed into NCI-designated thyroid FNA diagnostic categories for follicular patterned lesions.The case cohort comprised of 857 cases in 645 females and 212 males; 509 cases could be classified as FLUS/AUS and 348 as SFON/FON. Histologic follow-up was available in 273/509 (54%) cases diagnosed as FLUS/AUS and 251/348 (72%) cases diagnosed as SFON/FON.RFNA was performed in 203/509 (40%) patients classified as FLUS/AUS. RFNA diagnoses were: benign (125 cases), FLUS (46 cases), SFON/FON (20 cases), suspicious for papillary carcinoma (7 cases), papillary carcinoma (3 cases) and non-diagnostic (2 cases). The malignancy rate on surgical excision in the FLUS/AUS group was 27 and 15% with and without RFNA, respectively; and 25% in cases diagnosed as SFON/FON.RFNA is effective in managing thyroid nodules diagnosed as FLUS/AUS since the malignancy rates are different in cases with or without RFNA (27% vs. 15%). The malignancy rate (25%) in cases diagnosed as SFON/FON is similar to reported by other authors.

Follicular thyroid adenoma with eggshell calcification presenting as an intensely hypermetabolic lesion on 18F-FDG PET/CT

We report herein a case of follicular thyroid adenoma with an eggshell calcification presenting as an intensely hypermetabolic lesion on combined (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose whole-body PET and CT ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) performed for staging work-up in a 68-year-old woman who had undergone distal gastrectomy with Billroth II anastomosis for early gastric carcinoma. The mass was intensely hypermetabolic (SUV(max) = 21.3 g/mL) on combined (18)F-FDG PET/CT, hypoechoic with an interrupted eggshell calcification on gray-scale ultrasonography (US), and showed intranodular vascularity on power Doppler US. Follicular adenoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mass with an eggshell calcification on US and intense hypermetabolism on (18)F-FDG PET/CT.

Follicular thyroid carcinoma with an eggshell calcification: report of 3 cases

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this series is to report 3 cases of follicular thyroid carcinoma with an eggshell calcification along with their imaging findings.

METHODS

Imaging findings on gray scale and power Doppler (PD) sonography (n = 3), computed tomography (CT; n = 3), and integrated fluorodeoxyglucose F 18 ((18)F-FDG) whole-body positron emission tomography (PET)/CT (n = 1) were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 3 cases, two 75-year-old women had bone metastasis, and one 54-year-old woman had a thyroid incidentaloma on sonography. All 3 cases had a spherical mass with an interrupted eggshell calcification on gray scale sonography and CT; 2 revealed intranodular vascularity on PD sonography, and 1 showed intense hypermetabolism (maximum standardized uptake value, 7.9 g/mL) on integrated (18)F-FDG whole-body PET/CT.

CONCLUSIONS

Follicular carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a thyroid nodule with an eggshell calcification.

Follicular thyroid cancer cell growth inhibition by proteosome inhibitor MG132

BACKGROUND

Effective therapies for the subset of follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) patients with aggressive, metastatic disease are lacking. Therefore, we sought to determine the effects of proteosome inhibition, an emerging class of chemotherapeutic agents, on metastatic FTC cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human metastatic FTC cells (FTC236) were treated in vitro with the proteosome inhibitor MG132 (0 to 800 nM). Western blot analysis was performed on whole cell lysates isolated after 2 d. To measure cell growth, we performed an MTT cellular proliferation assay over 6 d.

RESULTS

Treatment of FTC236 cells with MG132 led to dose-dependent cell growth inhibition. Increases in inactive, phosphorylated GSK-3beta, and active beta-catenin also were observed. With 800 nM MG132, growth was reduced by 87% at 6 d (P < 0.0001). This reduction in cellular proliferation correlated with the degree of GSK-3beta inhibition. MG132 treatment also caused increased p21(Waf1/Cip1) and decreased cyclin D1 expression, suggesting that growth suppression may occur through cell cycle arrest.

CONCLUSION

Growth of metastatic human FTC cells appears to be suppressed by proteosome inhibition. Whether this effect is directly due to cell cycle arrest and inactivation of GSK-3beta signaling is unclear. Nonetheless, these compounds may become novel treatments for aggressive, metastatic FTC.

One in four patients with follicular thyroid cytology (THY3) has a thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is the cornerstone of assessment of thyroid nodules. Cytological criteria for benign (THY2) and malignant (THY5) aspirates are well established and reliable. When cytology suggests a follicular neoplasm (THY3), only formal histological assessment can differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. The objective of this study was to determine the factors predictive of malignancy in thyroid nodules when cytological assessment is restricted to euthyroid patients living in an area without endemic goiter who undergo routine diagnostic lobectomy once the FNA raises the suspicion of a follicular neoplasm.

METHOD

Retrospective review of histological and clinical data in a cohort of patients with a palpable thyroid nodule and THY3 cytology.

RESULTS

Between January 2000 and December 2007, 1981 patients (346 males and 1635 females) underwent 2809 thyroid FNAs. There were 201 THY3 reports (9%). Histology demonstrated thyroid carcinomas in 57 patients (31 follicular carcinomas, 11 Hurthle cell carcinomas, 11 papillary carcinomas, 1 medullary thyroid carcinoma, 1 poorly differentiated thyroid cancer, 1 lymphoma, and 1 metastatic renal carcinoma). Benign tumors were found in 144 patients with follicular adenomas (n = 76), Hurthle cell adenomas (n = 33), multinodular goiter (n = 13), adenomatoid nodules (n = 15), colloid nodules (n = 4), and thyroiditis (n = 3). THY3 cytology was more predictive of malignancy in men (13/34 male symbol vs. 44/167 female symbol, p < 0.001, chi(2) test). The risk for malignancy was 1:4 for the entire group and 1:3 for patients under 30 years and over 60 years. About 17/46 nodules over 40 mm in diameter were carcinomas, compared with only 35/140 in nodules under 40 mm (p < 0.01, chi2 test).

CONCLUSION

One in four patients with cytological features of a follicular neoplasm has a thyroid carcinoma. A large nodule (>4 cm) with THY3 cytology has a high likelihood of being a cancer, and arguably such patients could be offered total thyroidectomy rather than diagnostic lobectomy.

Differentiating alternative splice variant patterns of human telomerase reverse transcriptase in thyroid neoplasms

BACKGROUND

Although fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of thyroid nodules is very sensitive in detecting thyroid malignancy, it remains ambiguous in 20-30% of cases. Current biomarkers for thyroid cancer lack either the sensitivity or specificity to substantially address this clinical problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression patterns of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) alternative splice variants in benign and malignant thyroid tumors in an attempt to find a more reliable biomarker in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

METHODS

One hundred and thirty-three thyroid tumors from eight histopathological tumor types were collected from patients undergoing thyroid surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Gene expression patterns of hTERT alternative splice variants were investigated in the tumors by nested reverse transcriptase-PCR. Telomerase enzyme activity was evaluated in a subset of 16 samples associated with the different hTERT patterns. Association of c-myc expression and hTERT patterns was also examined.

RESULTS

Malignant thyroid tumors exhibited a greater proportion of the active full-length hTERT transcript (0.57 +/- 0.15) than inactive splice variants, alpha(-) (0.13 +/- 0.02), or beta(-)/alpha(-)beta(-) deletion transcripts (0.30 +/- 0.11; p < 0.001). The opposite was observed in benign tumors, which exhibited greater proportions of beta(-)/alpha(-)beta(-) deletion transcripts (0.64 +/- 0.08) than either the full-length (0.19 +/- 0.06) or alpha(-) deletion transcripts (0.17 +/- 0.02; p < 0.001). Similar results were observed among a diagnostically challenging subset of 50 thyroid tumors that were suspicious for malignancy on FNA. Further, increased telomerase enzymatic activity was only associated with expression of the full-length hTERT isoform. In contrast, c-myc expression, which has been implicated in hTERT regulation, correlated with overall hTERT transcription without specificity for expression of the full-length isoform.

CONCLUSIONS

These differences in gene expression patterns of hTERT alternative splice variants may provide a useful adjunct to FNA diagnosis of suspicious thyroid tumors.

Diagnostic terminology and morphologic criteria for cytologic diagnosis of thyroid lesions: a synopsis of the National Cancer Institute Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration State of the Science Conference

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored the NCI Thyroid Fine-needle Aspiration (FNA) State of the Science Conference on October 22-23, 2007 in Bethesda, MD. The two-day meeting was accompanied by a permanent informational website and several on-line discussion periods between May 1 and December 15, 2007 (http://thyroidfna.cancer.gov). This document summarizes matters regarding diagnostic terminology/classification scheme for thyroid FNA interpretation and cytomorphologic criteria for the diagnosis of various benign and malignant thyroid lesions. (http://thyroidfna.cancer.gov/pages/info/agenda/).

Thyroid fine needle aspiration: how to improve clinicians' confidence and performance with the technique

Studies from single institutions report an acceptable accuracy rate for thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA). However, FNA accuracy is much lower in many other centers in Europe and the USA and large multicenter studies indicate that the clinicians' confidence in the FNA technique remains low. One explanation for this is that there is an excess of inadequate and indeterminate findings for a follicular nodule at FNA cytology. In a University Hospital with large and qualified experience on thyroid nodule diagnosis, a review of 320 slides with an FNA diagnosis of indeterminate follicular nodule from different minor Italian Hospitals led to a different diagnosis in 61%. Since ancillary thyroid imaging may be overutilized and only a few authors report a proportion of excised nodules lower than 10%, we suspect that use of the FNA procedure is suboptimal. Several techniques are reported to improve the performance of thyroid FNA. Among these are tumor markers and large needle aspiration biopsy (LNAB). Immunodetection of the tumor marker galectin-3 has been evaluated by large multinational studies. Analysis of LNAB specimens reduces the number of inadequate FNA findings, improves the diagnostic determination of indeterminate follicular FNA findings and represents a better substrate for the determination of galectin-3. Therefore, we propose that clinical practice guidelines reflect these adjuvant techniques to thyroid FNA in order to improve selection criteria for thyroid nodule surgery.

The incidence of cancer and rate of false-negative cytology in thyroid nodules greater than or equal to 4 cm in size

BACKGROUND

High false-negative rates for fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of thyroid nodules greater than 3 cm have prompted recommendations for diagnostic lobectomy. We considered the presence of a greater than 4 cm nodule an independent indication for thyroidectomy regardless of FNAB results.

METHODS

We reviewed clinical data from 223 patients with thyroid nodules greater than or equal to 4 cm operated on from July 2003 to November 2006. Unifocal micropapillary cancer was considered clinically insignificant.

RESULTS

Clinically significant thyroid cancer was frequent, occurring in 57 of 223 patients (26%). Subgroup analysis showed that 43 of 223 patients (19.3%) had carcinoma within the mass and that 7 of 223 patients (3.1%) had significant carcinoma elsewhere in the resected thyroid. Multifocal micropapillary cancer was found in an additional 7 of 223 patients (3.1%). Preoperative FNAB was read incorrectly as benign in 9 of 71 patients with cancer (13%) (16% including multifocal micropapillary carcinoma). Benign FNAB results failed to identify 24 (34%) follicular lesions (including 7 cancers). In patients with preoperative FNAB results categorized as indeterminate lesions, 17 of 43 patients (40%) had carcinoma of the mass on final pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

In thyroid nodules greater than or equal to 4 cm, the incidence of carcinoma is high with a high false-negative rate for preoperative benign cytology. Thyroid nodules greater than or equal to 4 cm should be considered for diagnostic lobectomy regardless of FNAB results.

Is galectin-3 a good method for the detection of malignancy in patients with thyroid nodules and a cytologic diagnosis of “follicular neoplasm”? A critical appraisal of the evidence

BACKGROUND

Thyroid nodules are the most common surgical disease of the thyroid. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the most commonly employed tool for establishing a diagnosis. However, 15% to 25% of FNAB reports yield inconclusive results. Immunostaining of cytological smears from FNAB with galectin-3 has been proposed as a tool for differentiating between benign and malignant nodules. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the utility of galectin-3.

METHODS

Prospective studies of nodules with FNAB reports of "follicular neoplasm" and with a definitive diagnosis confirmed by histopathology were selected. Calculations of individual sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were made.

RESULTS

The articles selected were those with the best methodological quality.

CONCLUSION

Galectin-3 could be a good tool to guide therapeutic decision in patients with thyroid nodules and FNAB results of follicular neoplasm, but available information has methodological flaws that precludes a definitive answer about galectin-3 utility in the clinical setting.

Cytohistologic correlation of thyroid nodules

BACKGROUND

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is widely used as a diagnostic tool to assess thyroid nodules. This study correlates FNA cytology results with surgical pathologic findings.

METHODS

All thyroidectomies performed between 1994 and 2004 were reviewed, identifying 242 patients. Data were obtained for FNA diagnosis, demographics, findings on ultrasound, and histologic findings.

RESULTS

Among 89 patients with a carcinoma on FNA, 89% of cases were verified on final histopathology. Of 78 patients with "follicular lesion" on FNA, only 36% of cases were verified to be malignant at surgery. Only 13% of the 75 cases diagnosed as benign, mostly colloid nodules, on FNA were found to have a carcinoma on histopathology.

CONCLUSION

A cytologic diagnosis of papillary carcinoma has a highly predictive of thyroid cancer. When dealing with follicular lesions the predictive value of FNA drops considerably. However, we found a 13% false positive result to occur in FNA declared benign lesions.

The ongoing debate in thyroid surgery: should frozen section analysis be omitted?

Controversies concerning the role of frozen section (FS) have been a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to identify the role of FS analysis in intraoperative decision making and analyze the effect of the cost in detecting thyroid malignancies in Turkey. Out of 214 consecutive patients who had been operated on for thyroid cancer between January 1996 and August 2004, 178 patients were evaluated retrospectively. All 178 patients were subjected to FS. Intraoperative FS correctly identified the pathology as malignant in 58.4% of patients. A true-positive FS result changed the surgical strategy in 30 (27.6%) cases False negative FS lesions were defined histologically as papillary microcarcinoma in 54%, follicular variant of papillary cancer in 18% and follicular cancer in 8% of cases. The sensitivities of FNAB and intraoperative FS in thyroid cancer patients were 22.5% and 58.4%, respectively. False negative FS results increased the cost for each informative FS from euro25 to euro42.7. Despite limitations, results of this study reject the idea that the role of FS is becoming limited. We recommend routine frozen section in the operative assessment of thyroid nodules. Omitting FS may be suggested only in cases with a FNAB revealing malignancy.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography does not predict malignancy in thyroid nodules cytologically diagnosed as follicular neoplasm

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in predicting malignancy in thyroid nodules cytologically diagnosed as follicular neoplasm.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 46 patients with thyroid nodules larger than 1 cm in diameter cytologically diagnosed as follicular neoplasm at Asan Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) were included. FDG-PET images were taken in all patients before surgical resection, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of each nodule was measured.

RESULTS

FDG-PET showed hypermetabolic activity of all nodules compared with normal thyroid tissue. Thirty-six patients underwent surgery, whereas 10 refused immediate operation. Fifteen patients had cancer: 11 with follicular and two each with Hürthle cell and follicular variants of papillary cancer. Twenty-one patients had benign nodules: 11 follicular adenomas, eight adenomatous hyperplasias, and two Hürthle cell adenomas. SUVmax did not differ significantly between malignant and benign nodules (3.6 +/- 3.5 vs. 3.4 +/- 3.2; P = 0.83) or among subtypes of benign nodules (P = 0.23). However, SUVmax differed significantly among subtypes of malignant nodules (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

On FDG-PET, the glucose metabolic activities of benign thyroid follicular nodules were as high as those of malignant nodules. These findings suggest that FDG-PET has limited value for selecting candidates for surgery among patients cytologically diagnosed as follicular neoplasm.

Special Variants of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Does It Alter the Extent of Surgery Versus Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer?

INTRODUCTION

Recently, more aggressive variants of so-called well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas have been identified such as the tall cell variant, columnar cell variant, diffuse sclerosing variant, insular carcinoma, and Hürthle cell (oncocytic, oxyphilic) carcinomas.

METHODS

An evidence-based review was performed to identify the optimal treatment recommendations for these thyroid cancers of intermediate differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Although some variation exists within the group, aggressive surgical and medical management are recommended for these neoplasias. Any such recommendations should, however, be viewed in the light of the fact that the current literature mainly consists of case reports, case series, and limited reviews. The clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and surgical and medical management for these thyroid cancers with intermediate differentiation are discussed.

Combined clinical, thyroid ultrasound and cytological features help to predict thyroid malignancy in follicular and Hupsilonrthle cell thyroid lesions: results from a series of 505 consecutive patients

OBJECTIVE

The cytological patterns of follicular and Hupsilonrthle cell nodules are included among the indeterminate results of fine-needle aspiration cytology, because distinction between benign and malignant lesion can only be made on histological criteria. The diagnostic value of atypia at cytology, clinical parameters and echographic patterns were examined to establish the risk of malignancy in 505 patients with follicular and Hupsilonrthle cell thyroid nodules at cytology.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

The study included 505 consecutive patients who had undergone thyroidectomy from the period 2002-2005.

RESULTS

Histological diagnosis of malignancy was carried out in 125 of 505 (25%) patients, the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma being the most frequent histotype. Only atypia at cytology (P < 0.0001) and spot microcalcifications at ultrasound (P = 0.009) were predictive of malignancy. Male gender, normal thyroid volume, single nodularity, nodule hypoechogenicity, size and blurred margins were associated with malignancy, although not significantly. An arbitrary clinical score allowed the identification of patients with high (41%, 110 patients) and low (16%, 242 patients) risk of malignancy. Combining the clinical score with the presence of atypia at cytology we could identify 30 patients (6%) in whom the risk of malignancy was as high as 63%.

CONCLUSIONS

Twenty-five per cent of patients with a cytological result of follicular and Hupsilonrthle cell thyroid lesion had a final diagnosis of malignancy. Only atypia at cytology and spot microcalcifications at thyroid ultrasound were significantly associated with malignancy. Other clinical parameters and thyroid ultrasound patterns can be used to set up a clinical score useful for predicting the individual risk of malignancy before surgery.

Progress in the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules: managing uncertainties and the ultimate role for molecular investigation

The preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules currently relies on a clinical assessment of risk factors and an algorithm based on imprecise tests. With serum TSH, thyroid ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with or without ultrasound guide, accounting for the routine initial evaluation, indeterminate aspirates remain the major obstacle for confidently advising patients whether to have surgery or not. Recent clinical guidelines have attempted to settle various controversies but many inherent errors of clinical testing result in delayed diagnosis and unnecessary surgery. A better solution may ultimately involve the use of molecular markers of thyroid carcinogenesis but further research is still needed regarding the basic biology of thyroid cancer.

Promising molecular techniques for discriminating among follicular thyroid neoplasms

To guide the extent of thyroidectomy for indeterminate follicular neoplasm (FN), clinicians have long sought ways to differentiate follicular adenoma from carcinoma pre- or intraoperatively. Several promising molecular techniques have recently appeared including loss of heterozygosity analysis and molecular profiling microarray analysis. These new tools may also prove useful in determining prognosis, thus and allow a paradigm change in current management of the thyroid nodule.