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Song Y, Huang Y, Sun M, Yi W, Yuan X, Zhang Q, Cai H, Liu J. Normalized TSH strategy can improve the initial assessment of thyroid nodules. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2023; 83:318-322. [PMID: 37382084 DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2023.2225220] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum thyrotropin (TSH) has been recommended for the initial assessment of patients with thyroid nodules to exclude functional thyroid nodules (FTN). However, the sensitivity of TSH is very low. The increased level of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) is considered to be one of the reasons. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether normalized TSH (nTSH) can improve diagnostic efficiency by removing TPOAb interference in the first evaluation of thyroid nodules compared with traditional TSH strategy. METHODS Thyroid nodules were retrospectively analysed in 90 patients with FTN and 1038 patients with non-functioning thyroid nodules (non-FTN). The regression coefficient (β) of TPOAb affecting the TSH levels was assessed in patients with thyroid nodules, and then, the nTSH level was calculated based on the following formula: nTSH = TSH-β*TPOAb. We used nTSH levels to initially evaluate the thyroid nodules instead of the traditional TSH values and finally compared the results of the two strategies. RESULTS The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive prediction rate (PPV) and negative prediction rate (NPV) of nTSH for accessing FTN were 50.00%, 87.70%, 84.67%, 26.01% and 95.29%, respectively, which were better than the values of 48.90%, 78.70%, 76.33%, 16.60% and 94.67% associated with TSH, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Serum TPOAb testing is recommended for the first assessment of thyroid nodules. Normalized TSH levels can improve assessment efficiency compared to traditional TSH assessment, increase the specificity and reduce an unnecessary 99mTc-TS test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchun Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanmin Huang
- Yi Xing Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Yixing, China
| | - Ming Sun
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanwan Yi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyu Yuan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Haidong Cai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
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2
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Andrianus S, Gubbiotti MA, Mandel SJ, Nikiforov YE, Baloch Z. Unraveling the significance of TSHR mutations in indeterminate thyroid cytology specimens. Diagn Cytopathol 2023; 51:406-413. [PMID: 37042127 PMCID: PMC11225577 DOI: 10.1002/dc.25138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated the clinical significance of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) mutations detected in thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. METHODS The pathology archives at our institution were reviewed between 2018 and 2021 for indeterminate (Bethesda category III and IV) specimens with Thyroseq® analysis showing TSHR mutations. RESULTS A total of 2184 cases diagnosed as atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), and 2625 diagnosed as follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) were identified. A total of 1735 AUS/FLUS and 2339 SFN/FN underwent Thyroseq® analysis; 69 showed TSHR mutations (1.6%, 59 female, 10 male, average age: 55 years). Ten cases showed oncocytic features. Twelve patients underwent radionuclide scans within 1 year of FNA:11 were hyperfunctioning. Nodule size and TSH levels were weakly correlated. Twenty-two different TSHR mutations were identified (most common: M453T). A second mutation was found in five cases (EZH1 n = 2, and EIF1AX n = 3). The expression of sodium-iodide transporter (NIS) mRNA was in the range of 0.01%-62.43% out of all sequencing reads, and was elevated in 49 (71%) cases. Surgical pathology follow-up was available in five cases (all benign except one). On follow-up available for 38 cases (mean: 24 months; range: 7-47 months), 34 (89.5%) nodules remained stable and 3 (8%) increased in size. CONCLUSIONS TSHR mutations in thyroid FNA samples classified as indeterminate are rare, generally benign, and commonly associated with autonomy on scan if performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefen Andrianus
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maria A. Gubbiotti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Susan J. Mandel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuri E. Nikiforov
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zubair Baloch
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Goonoo MS, Arshad MF, Tahir F, Balasubramanian SP. Toxic adenoma: to biopsy or not to biopsy? Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2021; 103:e319-e323. [PMID: 34435917 DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2021.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxic adenoma nodules rarely harbour cancer. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is often not done because of the rarity of these lesions being cancer, the difficulty in interpreting cytology in hyperthyroid patients and the rare precipitation of thyrotoxicosis. We present two young, Caucasian female patients aged 29 and 13 years who were each diagnosed with a toxic nodule categorised as benign and indeterminate respectively. They underwent hemithyroidectomy after being rendered euthyroid, however their histology unexpectedly revealed differentiated follicular cancer. Despite thyroid cancer being rare in patients with toxic adenomas, it should be considered when planning treatment, especially if there are risk factors for cancer, or suspicious features on ultrasound examination. A review of the literature shows that compared with adenomas in euthyroid patients, patients in this group are generally younger and predominately female. If an FNA is considered, it should be performed after the patient is rendered euthyroid.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Goonoo
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - M F Arshad
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - F Tahir
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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Osorio C, Ballestas J, Barrios D, Arévalo A, Montaño S, Pérez N, Guardo Y, Oviedo H, Zambrano V, Redondo K, Herrera F. Clinical characteristics associated with the finding of thyroid cancer originating from hot nodules in patients with hyperthyroidism: a case report and systematic review of the literature. REVISTA COLOMBIANA DE CIRUGÍA 2021. [DOI: 10.30944/20117582.790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Coexistence between thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism is rare, and most of the nodular lesions from which a malignant tumor is documented in this group of patients correspond to cold nodules. Justified by the increasing number of reports in the literature about malignant tumors diagnosed from hot nodules, a systematic review was carried out to determine possible factors associated with the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from hot nodules in patients with hyperthyroidism. The results suggest that the clinical diagnosis of toxic nodular goiter, nodular lesions of diameter > 10 mm and a histological type compatible with a follicular carcinoma, are factors that on their own increase the risk of making the diagnosis of cancer from a hot nodule.
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Shinkai S, Ohba K, Kakudo K, Iwaki T, Mimura Y, Matsushita A, Kuroda G, Sakai Y, Nishino N, Umemura K, Suda T, Sasaki S. Hyperfunctioning Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with a BRAF Mutation: The First Case Report and a Literature Review. Eur Thyroid J 2021; 10:262-267. [PMID: 34178713 PMCID: PMC8215954 DOI: 10.1159/000513552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hyperfunctioning papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is rare and consequently, little information on its molecular etiology is available. Although BRAF V600E (BRAF c.1799T>A, p.V600E) is a prominent oncogene in PTC, its mutation has not yet been reported in hyperfunctioning PTC. CASE PRESENTATION Ultrasonography detected a 26-mm nodule in the right lobe of the thyroid gland of a 48-year-old man. Thyroid function tests indicated that he was hyperthyroid with a TSH level of 0.01 mIU/L (reference range: 0.05-5.00) and a free thyroxine level of 23.2 pmol/L (reference range: 11.6-21.9). TSHR autoantibodies were <0.8 IU/L (reference value: <2.0 IU/L). The 99mTc thyroid scintigram revealed a round, right-sided focus of tracer uptake by the nodule with a decreased uptake in the remainder of the gland. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy because fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed a malignancy. The histopathological diagnosis was conventional PTC. Subsequent mutational analysis of BRAF (exon 15), TSHR (exons 1-10), GNAS (exons 7-10), EZH1 (exon 16), KRAS, NRAS, HRAS (codons 12, 13, and 61), and TERT promoter (C250T and C228T) identified a heterozygous point mutation in BRAF V600E in a tumor tissue sample. In addition, we identified a TSHR D727E polymorphism (TSHR c.2181C>G, p.D727E) in both the tumor and the surrounding normal thyroid tissue. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS We report a case of hyperfunctioning PTC with a BRAF V600E mutation for the first time. Our literature search yielded 16 cases of hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma in which a mutational analysis was conducted. We identified TSHR mutations in 13 of these cases. One case revealed a combination of TSHR and KRAS mutations; the other case revealed a TSHR mutation with a PAX8/PPARG rearrangement. These findings suggest that the concomitant activation of oncogenes (in addition to constitutive activation of the TSHR-cyclic AMP cascade) are associated with the malignant phenotype in hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinsuke Shinkai
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kenji Ohba
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
- Medical Education Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
- *Kenji Ohba, Medical Education Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu 431-3192 (Japan),
| | - Kennichi Kakudo
- Department of Pathology and Thyroid Disease Center, Izumi City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Iwaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Mimura
- Department of Internal Medicine, American Hospital of Paris, Neuilly sur Seine, France
| | - Akio Matsushita
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Go Kuroda
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yuki Sakai
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | | | - Kazuo Umemura
- Medical Education Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takafumi Suda
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shigekazu Sasaki
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
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Lau LW, Ghaznavi S, Frolkis AD, Stephenson A, Robertson HL, Rabi DM, Paschke R. Malignancy risk of hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules compared with non-toxic nodules: systematic review and a meta-analysis. Thyroid Res 2021; 14:3. [PMID: 33632297 PMCID: PMC7905613 DOI: 10.1186/s13044-021-00094-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hyperfunctioning or hot nodules are thought to be rarely malignant. As such, current guidelines recommend that hot nodules be excluded from further malignancy risk stratification. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the malignancy risk in hot nodules and non-toxic nodules in observational studies. Methods Ovid MEDLINE Daily and Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. Observational studies which met all of the following were included: (1) use thyroid scintigraphy for nodule assessment, (2) inclusion of both hyperfunctioning and non-functioning nodules based on scintigraphy, (3) available postoperative histopathologic nodule results, (4) published up to November 12, 2020 in either English or French. The following data was extracted: malignancy outcomes include malignancy rate, mapping of the carcinoma within the hot nodule, inclusion of microcarcinomas, and presence of gene mutations. Results Among the seven included studies, overall incidence of malignancy in all hot thyroid nodules ranged from 5 to 100% in comparison with non-toxic nodules, 3.8–46%. Odds of malignancy were also compared between hot and non-toxic thyroid nodules, separated into solitary nodules, multiple nodules and combination of the two. Pooled odds ratio (OR) of solitary thyroid nodules revealed a single hot nodule OR of 0.38 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25, 0.59), toxic multinodular goiter OR of 0.51 (95% CI 0.34, 0.75), and a combined hot nodule OR of 0.45 (95% CI 0.31, 0.65). The odds of malignancy are reduced by 55% in hot nodules; however, the incidence was not zero. Conclusions Odds of malignancy of hot nodules is reduced compared with non-toxic nodules; however, the incidence of malignancy reported in hot nodules was higher than expected. These findings highlight the need for further studies into the malignancy risk of hot nodules. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13044-021-00094-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine W Lau
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Sana Ghaznavi
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Alexandra D Frolkis
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Alexandra Stephenson
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Helen Lee Robertson
- Clinical Medicine. Health Sciences Library, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Doreen M Rabi
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ralf Paschke
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. .,Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. .,Departments of Oncology, Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
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7
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Cameselle-Teijeiro JM, Eloy C, Sobrinho-Simões M. Pitfalls in Challenging Thyroid Tumors: Emphasis on Differential Diagnosis and Ancillary Biomarkers. Endocr Pathol 2020; 31:197-217. [PMID: 32632840 PMCID: PMC7395918 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-020-09638-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid pathology encompasses a heterogenous group of clinicopathological entities including rare and diagnostically challenging neoplasms. The review is focused on morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of rare thyroid neoplasms that can pose diagnostic problems. The tumors are organized based on growth patterns including thyroid neoplasms with predominantly papillary, follicular, solid, and spindle cell growth pattern, as well as neoplasms with distinct cytological characteristics. A special section is also dedicated to rare thyroid tumors with peculiar patterns including thyroid carcinoma with Ewing family tumor elements and intrathyroidal thymic-related neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Cameselle-Teijeiro
- Department of Pathology, Clinical University Hospital, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Galician Healthcare Service (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Medical Faculty, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Clinical University Hospital, Travesía Choupana s/n, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Catarina Eloy
- i3S Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel Sobrinho-Simões
- i3S Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar S. João, Porto, Portugal
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Abstract
The thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) mutation database, consisting of all known TSHR mutations and their clinical characterizations, was established in 1999. The database contents are updated here with the same website (tsh-receptor-mutation-database.org). The new database contains 638 cases of TSHR mutations: 448 cases of gain of function mutations (7 novel mutations and 41 new cases for previously described mutations since its last update in 2012) and 190 cases of loss of function mutations (28 novel mutations and 31 new cases for previously described mutations since its last update in 2012). This database is continuously updated and allows for rapid validation of patient TSHR mutations causing hyper- or hypothyroidism or insensitivity to TSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Stephenson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Lorraine Lau
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Markus Eszlinger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Ralf Paschke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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9
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Liu J, Wang Y, Da D, Zheng M. Hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma: A systematic review. Mol Clin Oncol 2019; 11:535-550. [PMID: 31798874 PMCID: PMC6870051 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2019.1927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperthyroidism may be caused by the development of primary or metastatic thyroid carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to collect recently reported cases of hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma in order to analyze its pathological characteristics, diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies. A PubMed (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) search was performed for studies published between January 1990 and July 2017. Full-text articles were identified using the terms, ‘hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma/cancer’, ‘malignant hot/toxic thyroid nodule’, or ‘hyperfunctioning papillary/follicular/Hürthle thyroid carcinoma’. Original research papers, case reports and review articles were included. Among all thyroid carcinoma cases included in the present study, the prevalence of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) was ~10%; however, the prevalence of FTC among hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinomas was markedly higher (46.5% in primary and 71.4% in metastatic disease). The size of hyperfunctioning thyroid tumors was considerably larger compared with that of non-hyperfunctioning thyroid tumors, with a mean size of 4.25±2.12 cm in primary hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinomas. In addition, in cases of metastatic hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma, tumor metastases were widespread or large in size. The diagnosis of primary hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma is based on the following criteria: i) No improvement in thyrotoxicosis following radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment; ii) development of hypoechoic solid nodules with microcalcifications on ultrasound examination; iii) increase in tumor size over a short time period; iv) fixation of the tumor to adjacent structures; and v) signs/symptoms of tumor invasion. The diagnosis of metastatic hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma should be considered in patients suffering from thyrotoxicosis who present with a high number of metastatic lesions (as determined by whole-body scanning), or a history of total thyroidectomy. Surgery is the first-line treatment option for patients with primary hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma, as it does not only confirm the diagnosis following pathological examination, but also resolves thyrotoxicosis and is a curative cancer treatment. RAI is a suitable treatment option for patients with hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma who present with metastatic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Breast-Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 201620, P.R. China.,Department of Systems Medicine and Bioengineering, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ye Wang
- Department of Breast-Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 201620, P.R. China.,Department of Systems Medicine and Bioengineering, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dongzhu Da
- Department of Breast-Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 201620, P.R. China
| | - Miao Zheng
- Department of Breast-Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 201620, P.R. China
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert H Daniels
- 1 Thyroid Unit, Cancer Center and Department of Medicine , Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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11
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Pandey RK, Sharma E, Roy S, Kandel S, Dahal S, Hossain MR, Schmidt MF, Shiferaw-Deribe Z. Hot and malignant - a case of invasive papillary carcinoma in hyperthyroid patient with hot nodules. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect 2018; 8:220-222. [PMID: 30181830 PMCID: PMC6116287 DOI: 10.1080/20009666.2018.1490139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Malignant thyroid nodules are clinically euthyroid and appear as cold nodules on scintigraphy. Malignancy in hyper-functioning thyroid nodule is rare. Case report: A 48-year-old male with painless swelling on the right side of his neck for the last 4 months complained of feeling hot all the time, sweating and unintentionally losing about 20 pounds. On physical examination, there was a 3-cm mobile, non-tender mass on the right supra-clavicular area biopsy of which was consistent with metastatic papillary carcinoma of thyroid. Neck imaging showed a cystic mass in the right supra-clavicular fossa region, bilateral neck adenopathy and multiple thyroid nodules. Subsequent thyroid radionuclide scans showed three hyper-functioning nodules, which were later demonstrated to be a follicular variant of papillary microcarcinoma. He was treated with total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine thyroid ablation therapy. Conclusion: Physicians need to be aware and vigilant for the possibilities of malignancy in a hyper-functioning thyroid nodule when evaluating any thyroid nodule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh K Pandey
- Department of Medicine, Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Eliza Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Sasmit Roy
- Department of Medicine, Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Saroj Kandel
- Department of Medicine, Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Sumit Dahal
- Department of Medicine, Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | | | - Marie F Schmidt
- Department of Medicine, Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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12
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Mon SY, Riedlinger G, Abbott CE, Seethala R, Ohori NP, Nikiforova MN, Nikiforov YE, Hodak SP. Cancer risk and clinicopathological characteristics of thyroid nodules harboring thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor gene mutations. Diagn Cytopathol 2018. [PMID: 29516685 DOI: 10.1002/dc.23915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) gene mutations play a critical role in thyroid cell proliferation and function. They are found in 20%-82% of hyperfunctioning nodules, hyperfunctioning follicular thyroid cancers (FTC), and papillary thyroid cancers (PTC). The diagnostic importance of TSHR mutation testing in fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens remains unstudied. METHODS To examine the association of TSHR mutations with the functional status and surgical outcomes of thyroid nodules, we evaluated 703 consecutive thyroid FNA samples with indeterminate cytology for TSHR mutations using next-generation sequencing. Testing for EZH1 mutations was performed in selected cases. The molecular diagnostic testing was done as part of standard of care treatment, and did not require informed consent. RESULTS TSHR mutations were detected in 31 (4.4%) nodules and were located in exons 281-640, with codon 486 being the most common. Allelic frequency ranged from 3% to 45%. Of 16 cases (12 benign, 3 FTC, 1 PTC) with surgical correlation, 15 had solitary TSHR mutations and 1 PTC had comutation with BRAF V600E. Hyperthyroidism was confirmed in all 3 FTC (2 overt, 1 subclinical). Of 5 nodules with solitary TSHR mutations detected at high allelic frequency, 3 (60%) were FTC. Those at low allelic frequency (3%-22%) were benign. EZH1 mutations were detected in 2 of 4 TSHR-mutant malignant nodules and neither of 2 benign nodules. CONCLUSION We report that TSHR mutations occur in ∼5% thyroid nodules in a large consecutive series with indeterminate cytology. TSHR mutations may be associated with an increased cancer risk when present at high allelic frequency, even when the nodule is hyperfunctioning. Benign nodules were however most strongly correlated with TSHR mutations at low allelic frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sann Y Mon
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gregory Riedlinger
- Division of Translational Pathology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Collette E Abbott
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Raja Seethala
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - N Paul Ohori
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Yuri E Nikiforov
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Steven P Hodak
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, NYU School of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
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Guan H, Matonis D, Toraldo G, Lee SL. Clinical Significance of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Receptor Gene Mutations and/or Sodium-Iodine Symporter Gene Overexpression in Indeterminate Thyroid Fine Needle Biopsies. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:566. [PMID: 30319546 PMCID: PMC6167408 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To examine the prevalence of genetic alterations of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) gene and sodium-iodine symporter (NIS) in a series of thyroid fine needle biopsy (FNB) specimens with indeterminate cytology, and to assess the correlation of the type of genetic changes with clinical features and follow-up results in the target thyroid nodule. Methods: Between February 2015 and September 2017, 388 consecutive FNBs with indeterminate cytology were evaluated for TSHR mutations and NIS gene overexpression using ThyroSeqV.2 next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel. Medical records were reviewed for target nodules. Results: Among 388 indeterminate FNBs, TSHR mutations and/or NIS overexpression were detected in 25 (6.4%) nodules. Ten nodules (2.6%) harbored TSHR mutations only, 7 nodules (1.8%) over-expressed NIS gene only, and 8 nodules (2.1%) had both alterations. The TSHR mutations were located between codons 281 and 640, with codon 453 being the most frequently affected. The allelic frequency of the mutated TSHR ranged from 6 to 36%. One nodule with NIS overexpression was simultaneously detected EIF1AX mutation and GNAS mutation. Nodules with TSHR mutations and/or NIS overexpression presented hyperfunctioning (n = 4), hypofunctioning (n = 5), and isofunctioning (n = 3) on the available thyroid scintigraphies. Eight cases accompanied with hyperthyroidism in which only 1 was caused by the target nodule. Evidence of co-existing autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and multinodular goiter were found in 52% and 52% of cases, respectively. Seven nodules underwent surgeries and all were benign on final pathology. None of 9 nodules with follow-up by ultrasound (3~33 mon, median 12 mon) showed grow in size. Conclusions: TSHR mutations and/or NIS overexpression can be detected in pre-operative FNB specimens using the NGS approach. These genetic alterations occurred in 6.4% thyroid nodules in this consecutive series with indeterminate cytology. They present not only in hyperfunctioning nodules but also in hypo- or iso-functional nodules, indicating their prevalence may be higher than previously expected. Co-existing AITD was common in cases with these molecular alterations. None of our patients with TSHR mutations and/or NIS overexpression manifested malignant outcomes. How to use these two molecular markers in thyroid FNBs to guide our clinical practice warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Guan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Haixia Guan
| | - Danielle Matonis
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Gianluca Toraldo
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Stephanie L. Lee
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- Stephanie L. Lee
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Acquaviva G, Visani M, Repaci A, Rhoden KJ, de Biase D, Pession A, Giovanni T. Molecular pathology of thyroid tumours of follicular cells: a review of genetic alterations and their clinicopathological relevance. Histopathology 2018; 72:6-31. [PMID: 29239040 DOI: 10.1111/his.13380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Knowledge of the molecular pathology of thyroid tumours originating from follicular cells has greatly advanced in the past several years. Common molecular alterations, such as BRAF p.V600E, RAS point mutations, and fusion oncogenes (RET-PTC being the prototypical example), have been, respectively, associated with conventional papillary carcinoma, follicular-patterned tumours (follicular adenoma, follicular carcinoma, and the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma/non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features), and with papillary carcinomas from young patients and arising after exposure to ionising radiation, respectively. The remarkable correlation between genotype and phenotype shows how specific, mutually exclusive molecular changes can promote tumour development and initiate a multistep tumorigenic process that is characterised by aberrant activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-PTEN-AKT signalling. Molecular alterations are becoming useful biomarkers for diagnosis and risk stratification, and as potential treatment targets for aggressive forms of thyroid carcinoma. What follows is a review of the principal genetic alterations of thyroid tumours originating from follicular cells and of their clinicopathological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Acquaviva
- Anatomical Pathology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Visani
- Anatomical Pathology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Repaci
- Endocrinology Unit, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - Kerry J Rhoden
- Medical Genetics Unit, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pession
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Tallini Giovanni
- Anatomical Pathology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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15
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Abstract
This article reviews those pathologic lesions which are associated with clinical and/or biochemical hyperthyroidism. Beginning with the descriptive pathology of classical Graves' disease and the less common toxic nodular goiter and hyper-functioning thyroid nodules, this paper describes the effects of non-thyroidal hormones, glandular function (including pituitary and hypothalamic lesions), ectopic production of thyroid stimulating proteins by non-thyroidal neoplasms, exogenous drug reactions causing hyper-function and finally conditions associated with a mechanic- destructive cause of hyperthyroidism.
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16
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Abstract
Thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) plays a pivotal role in thyroid hormone metabolism. It is a major controller of thyroid cell function and growth. Mutations in TSHR may lead to several thyroid diseases, most commonly hyperthyroidism. Although its genetic and epigenetic alterations do not directly lead to carcinogenesis, it has a crucial role in tumor growth, which is initiated by several oncogenes. This article will provide a brief review of TSHR and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Tuncel
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, Phone: +90 536 213 03 41, E-mail:
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17
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Haraj NE, Ahandar H, El Aziz S, Chadli A. [Association of hyperthyroidism with differentiated thyroid cancer]. Pan Afr Med J 2016; 24:18. [PMID: 27583082 PMCID: PMC4992381 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2016.24.18.7605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of hyperthyroidism is no longer an insurance against the occurrence of thyroid cancer. The combination of the two is common. This is a retrospective study of 355 files of patients followed for differentiated thyroid cancer in the endocrinology department at CHU IBN ROCHD from 1986 to 2014. 12 of those patients were followed for hyperthyroidism, and a fortuitous association with differentiated thyroid cancer was found during the anatomopathological exam, giving us a 3.38% prevalence. The average age of discovery is 44.8 years, with a marked female predominance (8/12). Eight patients had a toxic nodule, 3 had Basedow's goiters, and one had Graves' disease. All underwent total thyroidectomy. In all patients, the cancer was a papillary carcinoma. Microcarcinoma was the most predominant (6 patients). An insular carcinoma was found in a patient with spinal and retro-orbital metastases. Treatment with radioactive iodine was prescribed to five patients. The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism does not eliminate the possibility of an associated thyroid cancer. Malignancy should always be kept in mind and therefore lead to a diagnostic approach comparable to that for any thyroid nodule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nassim Essabah Haraj
- Service d'Endocrinologie et de Maladies Métaboliques, CHU Ibn Rochd, Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, Université Hassan II Casablanca, Maroc
| | - Hayat Ahandar
- Service d'Endocrinologie et de Maladies Métaboliques, CHU Ibn Rochd, Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, Université Hassan II Casablanca, Maroc
| | - Siham El Aziz
- Service d'Endocrinologie et de Maladies Métaboliques, CHU Ibn Rochd, Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, Université Hassan II Casablanca, Maroc
| | - Asma Chadli
- Service d'Endocrinologie et de Maladies Métaboliques, CHU Ibn Rochd, Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, Université Hassan II Casablanca, Maroc
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18
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Sharma SD, Kumar G, Guner K, Kaddour H. Hyperthyroidism in Patients with Thyroid Cancer. EAR, NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/014556131609500612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a retrospective case series of patients with hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. Our goal was to look at their clinical characteristics and outcomes to determine which patients would require further investigation. We reviewed the case notes of all patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of thyroid cancer and biochemical evidence of hyperthyroidism who had been treated at a thyroid cancer center from January 2006 through October 2013. During that time, 66 patients had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Of these, 8 patients (12%)—all women, aged 29 to 87 years (mean: 55.6; median: 50.5)—had biochemical evidence of hyperthyroidism. Among these 8 patients, 4 had an autonomously functioning toxic nodule (AFTN), 3 were diagnosed with Graves disease, and 1 had a toxic multinodular goiter. Five patients had suspicious features on preoperative ultrasonography. All 8 patients were diagnosed with the papillary type of thyroid carcinoma. The mean size of the tumor in the 4 patients with AFTN was significantly larger than it was in those with Graves disease (42.3 ± 23.8 mm vs. 3.8 ± 1.6; p = 0.04). The 3 patients with Graves disease all had incidentally found papillary microcarcinoma. Between these two groups, the patients with AFTN had a poorer prognosis; 2 of them had extracapsular invasion and lymph node metastasis, and another died of her disease. We found that the incidence of hyperthyroidism in thyroid cancer patients was relatively high (12%). In contrast to what has previously been reported in the literature, patients with AFTN seem to have more aggressive disease and poorer outcomes than do patients with Graves disease. Any suspicious nodule associated with hyperthyroidism should be evaluated carefully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Dutt Sharma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queens Hospital,
Romford, Essex, U.K
| | - Gaurav Kumar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queens Hospital,
Romford, Essex, U.K
| | - Karen Guner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queens Hospital,
Romford, Essex, U.K
| | - Hesham Kaddour
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queens Hospital,
Romford, Essex, U.K
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19
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Moreno-Reyes R, Kyrilli A, Lytrivi M, Bourmorck C, Chami R, Corvilain B. Is there still a role for thyroid scintigraphy in the workup of a thyroid nodule in the era of fine needle aspiration cytology and molecular testing? F1000Res 2016; 5. [PMID: 27158470 PMCID: PMC4850874 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.7880.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid scintigraphy is now rarely used in the work-up of a thyroid nodule except in the presence of a low TSH value. Therefore, autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs) with a normal TSH value are diagnosed only in the rare medical centers that continue to use thyroid scan systematically in the presence of a thyroid nodule. In this review, we discuss the prevalence of AFTN with a normal TSH level and the possible consequences of performing fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in an undiagnosed AFTN. We also discuss the risk of malignant AFTN which may be higher than previously stated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moreno-Reyes
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Aglaia Kyrilli
- Department of Endocrinology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maria Lytrivi
- Department of Endocrinology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carole Bourmorck
- Department of Endocrinology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rayan Chami
- Department of Endocrinology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bernard Corvilain
- Department of Endocrinology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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20
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Tong GX, Chang Q, Hamele-Bena D, Carew J, Hoffman RS, Nikiforova MN, Nikiforov YE. Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of a Pendred Syndrome-Associated Thyroid Carcinoma. Endocr Pathol 2016; 27:70-5. [PMID: 26744121 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-015-9413-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Pendred syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hearing loss and goiter and is caused by bi-allelic mutations (homozygous or compound heterozygous) of the PDS (SLC26A4) gene. The incidence of Pendred syndrome is 7.5-10/100,000 in the general population, and it carries a 1 % risk of developing thyroid carcinoma. Herein, we report a case of a patient with Pendred syndrome who developed a follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC)-that is approximately at an odd of 1/1,000,000. Targeted next-generation sequencing with ThyroSeq v2 was performed on the tumor, and only a TP53 mutation (TP53 p.R175H) was identified. The mutation was limited to the tumor nodule of FVPTC as shown by immunohistochemistry. This report represents the first extensive molecular study of a Pendred syndrome-associated thyroid carcinoma. The evidences support that thyroid carcinomas arising from dyshormonogenetic goiter require additional genetic alteration in addition to the purported thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) overstimulation. It is intrigue to note that the mutant p53 is involved in the development of a low-grade malignant thyroid tumor as FVPTC in this patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Xia Tong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Thyroid and Parathyroid disease, Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Avenue, New York, NY, 10305, USA.
| | - Qing Chang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Thyroid and Parathyroid disease, Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Avenue, New York, NY, 10305, USA
| | - Diane Hamele-Bena
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - John Carew
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Thyroid and Parathyroid disease, Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Avenue, New York, NY, 10305, USA
| | - Richard S Hoffman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Thyroid and Parathyroid disease, Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Avenue, New York, NY, 10305, USA
| | - Marina N Nikiforova
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3477 Euler Way, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Yuri E Nikiforov
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3477 Euler Way, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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21
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Mirfakhraee S, Mathews D, Peng L, Woodruff S, Zigman JM. A solitary hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule harboring thyroid carcinoma: review of the literature. Thyroid Res 2013; 6:7. [PMID: 23641736 PMCID: PMC3655919 DOI: 10.1186/1756-6614-6-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperfunctioning nodules of the thyroid are thought to only rarely harbor thyroid cancer, and thus are infrequently biopsied. Here, we present the case of a patient with a hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule harboring thyroid carcinoma and, using MEDLINE literature searches, set out to determine the prevalence of and characteristics of malignant “hot” nodules as a group. Historical, biochemical and radiologic characteristics of the case subjects and their nodules were compared to those in cases of benign hyperfunctioning nodules. A literature review of surgical patients with solitary hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules managed by thyroid resection revealed an estimated 3.1% prevalence of malignancy. A separate literature search uncovered 76 cases of reported malignant hot thyroid nodules, besides the present case. Of these, 78% were female and mean age at time of diagnosis was 47 years. Mean nodule size was 4.13 ± 1.68 cm. Laboratory assessment revealed T3 elevation in 76.5%, T4 elevation in 51.9%, and subclinical hyperthyroidism in 13% of patients. Histological diagnosis was papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in 57.1%, follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) in 36.4%, and Hurthle cell carcinoma in 7.8% of patients. Thus, hot thyroid nodules harbor a low but non-trivial rate of malignancy. Compared to individuals with benign hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules, those with malignant hyperfunctioning nodules are younger and more predominantly female. Also, FTC and Hurthle cell carcinoma are found more frequently in hot nodules than in general. We were unable to find any specific characteristics that could be used to distinguish between malignant and benign hot nodules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasan Mirfakhraee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, 75390, USA.
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22
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Abstract
Thyroid cancer with concomitant hyperthyroidism is rare. Most foci of malignancy are small and seen postoperatively as incidental findings after surgery for hyperthyroidism. Thyroid masses with clinical features of malignancy and concomitant hyperthyroidism are less-commonly reported. We report two cases of multinodular toxic goitre or Plummer's disease with clinical features of malignancy. Both patients had large multinodular goitres with evidence of metastasis to the manubrium for the first patient and to the lymph node and lungs for the second patient. Both were clinically euthyroid but with free hormone excess and suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) on laboratory testing. Both patients received methimazole prior to thyroidectomy. Histopathology revealed follicular variant of papillary cancer with metastasis to the manubrium for the first patient and follicular thyroid cancer with lymph node metastasis for the second. While rare, thyrotoxicosis can occur with malignancy, Plummer's disease may harbour cancer and behave aggressively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Queenie Guinto Ngalob
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines.
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23
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Ruggeri RM, Campennì A, Giovinazzo S, Saraceno G, Vicchio TM, Carlotta D, Cucinotta MP, Micali C, Trimarchi F, Tuccari G, Baldari S, Benvenga S. Follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting as toxic nodule in an adolescent: coexistent polymorphism of the TSHR and Gsα genes. Thyroid 2013; 23:239-42. [PMID: 22985488 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2012.0279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autonomously functioning, "hot", thyroid nodules are not common in children and adolescents. Such nodules are not considered alarming because they are assumed to be benign adenomas. Herein, we present a 15-year-old girl with a papillary thyroid carcinoma of 3.5 cm in diameter, which was functionally autonomous and scintigraphically hot. PATIENT FINDINGS The patient, initially referred to our Endocrine Unit because of a thyroid nodule, returned 6 months later for symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism was confirmed biochemically. Radioactive iodine ((131)I) thyroid scintigraphy was consistent with an autonomous thyroid nodule. As per guidelines, the patient underwent surgery and a pathological examination revealed papillary carcinoma, follicular variant. The excised nodule was examined for activating mutations of the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR), Gsα (GNAS1), H-RAS, N-RAS, K-RAS, and BRAF genes by direct sequencing. No mutations were found. Nevertheless, two combined nonfunctioning mutations were detected: a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the TSHR gene, in exon 7, at codon 187 (AAT→AAC, both encoding asparagine), and a SNP within exon 8 of the Gsα gene at codon 185 (ATC→ATT, both encoding isoleucine). Both SNPs were also identified in the germline DNA of the patient. The same SNPs were sought in the parents and brother of our patient. Her father was heterozygous for the TSHR SNP, her mother heterozygous for the Gsα SNP, and her brother was wild type. CONCLUSIONS This case demonstrates that the presence of hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule(s) does not rule out cancer and warrants careful evaluation, especially in childhood and adolescence to overlook malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Maddalena Ruggeri
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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24
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Gopalakrishnan Nair
- Department of Surgery, Surgical Endocrinology Division, Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Pradeep Jacob
- Department of Surgery, Surgical Endocrinology Division, Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Misha Babu
- Department of Surgery, Surgical Endocrinology Division, Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Riju Menon
- Department of Surgery, Surgical Endocrinology Division, Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi, Kerala, India
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25
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Pringle DR, Yin Z, Lee AA, Manchanda PK, Yu L, Parlow AF, Jarjoura D, La Perle KMD, Kirschner LS. Thyroid-specific ablation of the Carney complex gene, PRKAR1A, results in hyperthyroidism and follicular thyroid cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2012; 19:435-46. [PMID: 22514108 PMCID: PMC3667702 DOI: 10.1530/erc-11-0306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy in the population, and the incidence of this cancer is increasing at a rapid rate. Although genetic analysis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has identified mutations in a large percentage of patients, the genetic basis of follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) is less certain. Thyroid cancer, including both PTC and FTC, has been observed in patients with the inherited tumor predisposition Carney complex, caused by mutations in PRKAR1A. In order to investigate the role of loss of PRKAR1A in thyroid cancer, we generated a tissue-specific knockout of Prkar1a in the thyroid. We report that the resulting mice are hyperthyroid and developed follicular thyroid neoplasms by 1 year of age, including FTC in over 40% of animals. These thyroid tumors showed a signature of pathway activation different from that observed in other models of thyroid cancer. In vitro cultures of the tumor cells indicated that Prkar1a-null thyrocytes exhibited growth factor independence and suggested possible new therapeutic targets. Overall, this work represents the first report of a genetic mutation known to cause human FTC that exhibits a similar phenotype when modeled in the mouse. In addition to our knowledge of the mechanisms of human follicular thyroid tumorigenesis, this model is highly reproducible and may provide a viable mechanism for the further clinical development of therapies aimed at FTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne R. Pringle
- Department of Molecular, Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Zhirong Yin
- Department of Molecular, Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Audrey A. Lee
- Department of Molecular, Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Parmeet K. Manchanda
- Department of Molecular, Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Lianbo Yu
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Alfred F. Parlow
- National Hormone and Peptide Program, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California 90509
| | - David Jarjoura
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Krista M. D. La Perle
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Lawrence S. Kirschner
- Department of Molecular, Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
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26
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Bommireddipalli S, Goel S, Gadiraju R, Paniz-MondolFi A, DePuey EG. Follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting as a toxic nodule by I-123 scintigraphy. Clin Nucl Med 2010; 35:770-5. [PMID: 20838284 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0b013e3181e4dc7f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The risk of malignancy in a "hot" thyroid nodule detected by radioiodine scintigraphy is rare. We report a case of a 63-year-old man with a hyperfunctioning nodule demonstrated by radioiodine scintigraphy and cytology suspicious for follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC). There were no locoregional or distant metastases at initial diagnosis. Histopathologic examination following thyroidectomy confirmed the presence of an encapsulated FVPTC. A year into follow-up, his I-131 whole body scan performed following the withdrawal from exogenous thyroid hormone was negative, whereas his serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were intermediate. A subsequent PET/CT scan revealed a small, but stable, metabolically active pretracheal lymph node, which on biopsy was confirmed to be stage III FVPTC. In conclusion, the presence of hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule(s) does not preclude malignancy and, therefore, proper cytohistologic evaluation in such patients may help to exclude a coexistent thyroid carcinoma. Patients treated for localized PTC may benefit from serial PET/CT follow-up in the early detection and management of recurrence or distant metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Bommireddipalli
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
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27
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Jaeschke H, Mueller S, Eszlinger M, Paschke R. Lack of in vitro constitutive activity for four previously reported TSH receptor mutations identified in patients with nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism and hot thyroid carcinomas. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2010; 73:815-20. [PMID: 20846293 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2010.03872.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Constitutively activating mutations (CAMs) of the TSHR are the major cause for nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism. Re-examination of constitutive activity previously determined in CHO cell lines recently demonstrated the caveats for the in vitro determination of constitutive TSHR activity, which leads to false positive conclusions regarding the molecular origin of hyperthyroidism or hot thyroid carcinomas. DESIGN Mutations L677V and T620I identified in hot thyroid carcinomas were previously characterized in CHO and in 3T3-Vill cell lines, respectively, stably expressing the mutant without determination of TSHR expression. F666L identified in a patient with hot thyroid nodules, I691F in a family with nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism and F631I identified in a hot thyroid carcinoma were not characterized for their in vitro function. Therefore, we decided to (re)evaluate the in vitro function of these five TSHR variants by determination of cell surface expression, and intracellular cAMP and inositol phosphate levels and performed additionally linear regression analyses to determine basal activity independently from the mutant's cell surface expression in COS-7 and HEK(GT) cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Only one (F631I) of the five investigated TSHR variants displayed constitutive activity for G(α) s signalling and showed correlation with the clinical phenotype. The previous false classification of T620I and L677V as CAMs is most likely related to the fact that both mutations were characterized in cell lines stably expressing the mutated receptor construct without assessing the respective receptor number per cell. Other molecular aetiologies for the nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism and/or hot thyroid carcinomas in these three patients and one family should be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Jaeschke
- Department for Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Nephrology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Azevedo MF, Casulari LA. Hyperfunctioning thyroid cancer: a five-year follow-up. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 54:78-80. [PMID: 20414552 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-27302010000100013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 10/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Differentiated thyroid cancer rarely occurs in association with hyperfunctioning nodules. We describe a case of a 47-year-old woman who developed symptoms of hyperthyroidism associated with a palpable thyroid nodule. Thyroid scintigraphy showed an autonomous nodule, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy was suggestive of papillary carcinoma. Laboratorial findings were consistent with the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. The patient underwent thyroidectomy and a papillary carcinoma of 3.0 x 3.0 x 2.0 cm, follicular variant, was described by histological examination. The surrounding thyroid tissue was normal. Postoperatively, the patient received 100 mCi of (131)I, and whole body scans detected only residual uptake. No evidence of metastasis was detected during five years of follow-up. Hot thyroid nodules rarely harbor malignancies, and this case illustrated that, when a carcinoma occurs the prognosis seems to be very good with no evidence of metastatic dissemination during a long-term follow-up.
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Preoperative Tc-99m-pertechnetate scan visualization of gross neck metastases from microcarcinoma papillare and another papillary carcinoma of tall cell variant scintigraphically presented like small warm nodule in Graves disease patient. Clin Nucl Med 2010; 35:858-61. [PMID: 20940542 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0b013e3181f4991e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Preoperative scintigraphic visualization of metastases from well-differentiated thyroid microcarcinoma in patients with Graves disease is extremely rare, as is the scintigraphic visualization of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma as a warm nodule. We present a patient with Graves disease and both of these rare entities. CASE REPORT A 47-year-old woman complained of a growing left-side neck mass and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. On clinical examination, the thyroid was palpable without discernible nodularity, while the left side of the neck was occupied by 3 gross, painless nodules. She also had signs of thyrotoxicosis and biochemical parameters of Graves hyperthyroidism. Ultrasound examination showed moderately hypoechogenic thyroid with a small hypoechogenic nodule in the upper pole of the left lobe and 3 gross, almost normoechogenic nodules on the left side of the neck. On Tc-99m-pertechnetate pinhole scintigraphy there was a small, warm nodule in the upper pole of the left lobe and 3 gross metastatic nodules on the left side of the neck. Fine needle aspiration of the neck nodules was consistent with metastases from thyroid papillary carcinoma. After thyrostatic preparation a total thyroidectomy with left modified radical neck dissection was done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Histopathologic examination disclosed 2 carcinomas in the left thyroid lobe. One of them was a tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma in the upper pole of the left lobe that measured 5 mm and corresponded to the small warm nodule, and the second one was a classic form of papillary microcarcinoma that measured 2 mm. Metastases accrued from the classic form of papillary microcarcinoma. Although the patient had 2 thyroid carcinomas, one with metastases and the other of more aggressive form, which is consistent with advanced stage and aggressiveness, she is now disease-free, 4 years after the operation and radioiodine ablation.
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Tfayli HM, Teot LA, Indyk JA, Witchel SF. Papillary thyroid carcinoma in an autonomous hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule: case report and review of the literature. Thyroid 2010; 20:1029-32. [PMID: 20718686 PMCID: PMC2933378 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2010.0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whereas thyroid nodules are less common among children than among adults, the anxiety generated by the finding of a thyroid nodule is high because 20% of nodules found in children contain thyroid cancer. Discovery of a nodule in the context of hyperthyroidism is usually comforting due to the presumption that the nodule represents a benign toxic adenoma. SUMMARY An 11-year-old girl presented with heavy menses, fatigue, and a right thyroid mass. Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated triiodothyronine and undetectable thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thyroid ultrasonography revealed a 3.5 cm nonhomogenous nodule, and scintigraphy was consistent with an autonomous hyper-functioning nodule. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy could not rule out malignancy, and patient underwent right hemithyroidectomy and isthmusectomy. Pathology was consistent with papillary thyroid carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS We report the discovery of papillary thyroid carcinoma in an autonomously hyperfunctioning nodule in an 11-year-old girl. Detection of an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule in children and adolescents does not exclude the possibility of thyroid carcinoma and warrants careful evaluation and appropriate therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala M. Tfayli
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes Mellitus, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Lisa A. Teot
- Division of Pathology, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Justin A. Indyk
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes Mellitus, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Selma Feldman Witchel
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes Mellitus, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Affiliation(s)
- José Cameselle-Teijeiro
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital Clínico Universitario, University of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
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Hyperfunctioning solid/trabecular follicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2010; 2010. [PMID: 20847957 PMCID: PMC2935180 DOI: 10.1155/2010/635984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2009] [Revised: 05/14/2010] [Accepted: 06/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A 68-year-old woman with solid/trabecular follicular thyroid carcinoma inside of an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule is described in this paper. The patient was referred to our clinic for swelling of the neck and an increased pulse rate. Ultrasonography showed a slightly hypoechoic nodule in the right lobe of the thyroid. Despite suppressed TSH levels, the 99mTc-pertechnetate scan showed a hot area corresponding to the nodule with a suppressed uptake in the remaining thyroid tissue. Histopathological examination of the nodule revealed a solid/trabecular follicular thyroid carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of hyperfunctioning follicular solid/trabecular carcinoma reported in the literature. Even if a hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma is an extremely rare malignancy, careful management is recommended so that a malignancy will not be overlooked in the hot thyroid nodules.
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Mueller S, Jaeschke H, Paschke R. Current standards, variations, and pitfalls for the determination of constitutive TSHR activity in vitro. Methods Enzymol 2010; 485:421-36. [PMID: 21050930 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381296-4.00023-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Constitutively activating mutations of the TSHR are the major cause for nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism, which is based on ligand independent, permanent receptor activation. Several reports have highlighted the difficulties to determine whether a TSHR mutation is constitutively active or not especially for borderline cases with only a slight increase of the basal cAMP activity. Current methods to precisely classify such mutants as constitutively active or not, are limited. In some cases, in vitro characterization of TSHR mutants has led to false positive conclusions regarding constitutive TSHR activity and subsequently the molecular origin of hyperthyroidism. For characterization of constitutive TSHR activity, a particular point to consider is that basal receptor activity tightly correlates with the receptor number expressed on the cell surface. Therefore, a comparison of the receptors basal activity in relation to the wild type is only possible with determination of the receptor cell surface expression. Thus, the experimental approaches to determine constitutive TSHR activity should consider the receptor's cell surface expression. We here provide a description of three methods for the determination of constitutive TSHR activity: (A) the evaluation of constitutive TSHR activity under conditions of equal receptor expression; (B) computation of the specific constitutive activity; and (C) the linear regression analysis (LRA). To date, LRA is the best experimental approach to characterize the mutant's basal activity as a function of TSHR cell surface expression. This approach utilizes a parallel measurement of basal cAMP values and receptor cell surface expression and therefore provides a more reliable decision with respect to the presence or absence of constitutive activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Mueller
- Department for Internal Medicine, Neurology and Dermatology, Clinic for Endocrinology and Nephrology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Cross GAD, Suarez H, Pitoia F, Moncet D, Vanegas M, Bruno OD, Niepomniszcze H. Fatal outcome of a young woman with papillary thyroid carcinoma and graves' disease: possible implication of "cross-signalling" mechanism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 52:1194-200. [PMID: 19082310 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-27302008000700018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2008] [Accepted: 08/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A 29 yrs-old patient was referred to our hospital due to generalized convulsions. She had hyperthyroidism treated with methimazole. Her MRI showed 4 metastatic lesions in the brain. She had a goiter with a "cold" nodule and a palpable ipsilateral lymph node. The FNAB disclosed a papillary thyroid carcinoma. Under 5 mg of MMI treatment, she had a subclinical hyperthyroidism and TRAb were 47.8% (n.v. < 10%). The CT scan also showed lung metastasis. She underwent a total thyroidectomy with a modified neck dissection and she received an accumulated radioiodine dose of 700 mCi during the following two years. She died from the consequences of multiple metastatic lesions. Studies were performed in DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue from the tumor, the metastatic lymph node and the non-tumoral thyroid. The genetic analysis of tumoral DNA revealed point mutations in two different genes: the wild type CAA at codon 61 of N-RAS mutated to CAT, replacing glycine by histidine (G61H) and the normal GCC sequence at codon 623 of the TSHR gene was replaced by TCC, changing the alanine by serine (A623S). In the non-tumoral tissue no mutations were found. In vitro studies showed a constitutive activation of the TSHR. It is very probable that this activating mutation of the TSHR is unable to reach the end point of the PKA cascade in the tumoral tissue. One possibility that could explain this is the presence of a cross-signaling mechanism generating a deviation of the TSH receptor cascade to the more proliferative one involving the MAPKinase, giving perhaps a more aggressive behavior of this papillary thyroid cancer.
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García-Jiménez C, Santisteban P. TSH signalling and cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 51:654-71. [PMID: 17891229 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-27302007000500003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2007] [Accepted: 03/11/2007] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancers are the most frequent endocrine neoplasms and mutations in the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) are unusually frequent. Here we present the state-of-the-art concerning the role of TSHR in thyroid cancer and discuss it in light of the cancer stem cell theory or the classical view. We briefly review the gene and protein structure updating the cancer related TSHR mutations database. Intriguingly, hyperfunctioning TSHR mutants characterise differentiated cancers in contrast to undifferentiated thyroid cancers which very often bear silenced TSHR. It remains unclear whether TSHR alterations in thyroid cancers play a role in the onset or they appear as a consequence of genetic instability during evolution, but the presence of functional TSHR is exploited in therapy. We outline the signalling network build up in the thyrocyte between TSHR/PKA and other proliferative pathways such as Wnt, PI3K and MAPK. This networks integrity surely plays a role in the onset/evolution of thyroid cancer and needs further research. Lastly, future investigation of epigenetic events occurring at the TSHR and other loci may give better clues for molecular based therapy of undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas. Targeted demethylating agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors combined with retinoids and specific RNAis may help treatment in the future.
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Sobrinho-Simões M, Máximo V, Rocha AS, Trovisco V, Castro P, Preto A, Lima J, Soares P. Intragenic mutations in thyroid cancer. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 2008; 37:333-62, viii. [PMID: 18502330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2008.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The close genotype-phenotype relationship that characterizes thyroid oncology stimulated the authors to address this article by using a mixed, genetic and phenotypic approach. As such, this article addresses the following aspects of intragenic mutations in thyroid cancer: thyroid stimulating hormone receptor and guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins of the stimulatory family mutations in hyperfunctioning tumors; mutations in RAS and other genes and aneuploidy; PAX8-PPARgamma rearrangements; BRAF mutations; mutations in oxidative phosphorylation and Krebs cycle genes in Hürthle cell tumors; mutations in succinate dehydrogenase genes in medullary carcinoma and C-cell hyperplasia; and mutations in TP53 and other genes in poorly differentiated and anaplastic carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Sobrinho-Simões
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Rua Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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Mittra ES, Niederkohr RD, Rodriguez C, El-Maghraby T, McDougall IR. Uncommon Causes of Thyrotoxicosis. J Nucl Med 2008; 49:265-78. [PMID: 18199610 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.107.041202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Erik S Mittra
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Department of Radiology, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, California 94305-5281, USA
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TSH alone is not sufficient to exclude all patients with a functioning thyroid nodule from undergoing testing to exclude thyroid cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2008; 35:1173-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00259-007-0669-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2007] [Accepted: 11/26/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Nishida AT, Hirano S, Asato R, Tanaka S, Kitani Y, Honda N, Fujiki N, Miyata K, Fukushima H, Ito J. Multifocal hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma without metastases. Auris Nasus Larynx 2007; 35:432-6. [PMID: 17826928 DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2007.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2007] [Revised: 07/29/2007] [Accepted: 07/31/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hyperthyroidism due to thyroid carcinoma is rare, and most cases are caused by hyperfunctioning metastatic thyroid carcinoma rather than primary carcinoma. Among primary hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma, multifocal thyroid carcinoma is exceedingly rare, with the only one case being reported in the literature. Here, we describe the case of a 62-year-old woman with multifocal functioning thyroid carcinoma. Technetium-99m (99m Tc) scintigraphic imaging showed four hot areas in the thyroid gland. Histopathological examination of all four nodules revealed papillary carcinoma, corresponding to hot areas in the 99m Tc scintigram. DNA sequencing of the thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) gene from all nodules revealed no mutation, indicating that activation of TSH-R was unlikely in the pathophysiogenesis of hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma in the present case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko T Nishida
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kitano Hospital, Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Osaka, Japan.
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