Adverse Histological Features of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Are Commonly Found in Autopsy Studies: Implications for Treatment Guidelines

Trends in incidence and overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer in China, Japan, and South Korea

We used data from 13 cancer registries in China, Japan, and South Korea to analyze time trends in overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer between 1998 and 2012. Age-standardized and age-specific incidence and annual percentage changes were calculated. The number of thyroid cancers diagnosed and the proportion attributable to overdiagnosis were estimated, with calculations stratified by sex and age group. The Spearman method was used to analyze the correlation between thyroid cancer incidence and overdiagnosis. From 1998 to 2012, both the incidence and proportions of overdiagnoses of thyroid cancer in China, Japan, and South Korea showed an increasing trend, with higher rates in women than men. South Korea had both the highest incidence for men (10.1/105 ) and women (46.7/105 ) and the highest proportions of overdiagnosis (men, 90.3%; women, 94.9%). The fastest growth in overdiagnosis was in Chinese men and women (annual percentage changes 6.1 and 4.6, respectively). We found significant positive correlations between age-standardized incidence and proportions of overdiagnosis for both men (Spearman r = 0.98, p < 0.05) and women (Spearman r = 0.99, p < 0.05) in the three countries. Age-specific incidence curves in Chinese and South Korean individuals were of an inverted U-shape. Overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer in Japan was mainly concentrated in middle-aged and older patients, whereas in China and South Korea, it occurred primarily in the middle-aged. The incidence and overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer in China, Japan, and South Korea are increasing, necessitating the implementation of comprehensive measures to reduce these overdiagnoses.

Active surveillance of highly suspicious thyroid nodules cohort in China shows a worse psychological status in younger patients

Background

Active surveillance has been considered a safe alternative to surgery for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. This study aimed to assess the oncological outcomes and psychological status of active surveillance of highly suspicious thyroid nodules ≤10 mm in China.

Methods

This prospective single-center cohort study enrolled 336 patients with highly suspicious thyroid nodules for active surveillance to assess oncological outcomes and psychological status. The psychological status of patients was assessed by two different questionnaires and compared among different patient groups.

Results

During a median follow-up period of 28.5 months, eight patients underwent delayed surgery for tumor enlargement and one for lymph node metastases. The cumulative incidence of disease progression at 5 and 10 years was 6.0% and 12.8%, respectively. Patients who underwent delayed surgery had no permanent complications, and no patient had distant metastasis or death. Patients ≤30 years old had a higher baseline anxiety score (4.9 vs. 3.8, p=0.024), a higher proportion of baseline anxiety score, i.e., ≥8 points (24.0% vs. 12.6%, p=0.033), and a worse baseline emotional function (62.7 vs. 70.7, p=0.013) than patients >30. During AS, patients ≤30 years of age had higher overall anxiety levels (p=0.005) and a worse overall emotional function (p=0.001).

Conclusions

Active surveillance in Chinese patients with highly suspicious subcentimetre thyroid nodules has good oncological outcomes and can be used as a safe alternative to surgery. Younger patients (≤30) show a worse psychological status; therefore, more attention should be paid to younger patients.

Lymphatic Vessel Invasion in Routine Pathology Reports of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Purpose

It is not mandatory to report lymphatic vessel invasion in pathology reports of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) according to the current Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM (tumor, nodes, and metastases) classification. However, there is some evidence for its correlation with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and prognosis. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical implication of lymphatic vessel invasion documentation of PTC because pathology reports play a pivotal role in postsurgical clinical decision-making in endocrine tumor boards.

Methods

Patients undergoing postoperative radioiodine treatment for PTC at the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany between December 2015 and March 2020 were identified. Pathology reports were screened for documentation of lymphatic vessel invasion. Demographics and clinicopathologic data of patients documented, including lymphatic vessel invasion and lymph nodal involvement were analyzed.

Results

A total of 578 patients were identified and included. Lymphatic vessel invasion was reported in pathology reports of 366 (63.3%) and omitted in 112 (36.7%) patients. Positive lymphatic vessel invasion (L1) was diagnosed in 67 (18.3%) of 366 patients and was documented as absent (L0) in 299 (81.7%) patients. Lymph nodal (N) status was positive (N+) in 126 (45.6%) and negative (N0) in 150 (54.3%) of these patients. In 54 (80.6%) L1 cases N+ status and in 137 (65.6%) L0 cases N0 status was diagnosed. In 13 (19.4%) cases with L1 status, there were no LNMs (L1 N0). In total, 72 (34.4%) patients had LNM despite L0 status (L0 N+). The sensitivity and specificity of LVI reporting for LNM were 0.42 and 0.91, respectively.

Conclusion

In routine pathology reports of PTC used for indication to postoperative radioiodine treatment by a German endocrine tumor board, lymphatic vessel invasion was found to be reported inconsistently and mostly as L0. L1 diagnoses, however, reliably correlated with reported LNM and might, thus, be relevant for clinical decision-making. For this reason, we advocate for standardized pathologic reassessment of lymphatic vessel invasion, in particular for cases where lymph nodes are not included in the pathologic specimen and if L0 is documented.