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Alam IS, Patel KN. Management of Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Cancer and Differentiated High-Grade Thyroid Carcinoma. Surg Clin North Am 2024; 104:751-765. [PMID: 38944496 DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2024.02.005] [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] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Thyroid carcinoma of follicular cell origin exists on a histopathologic and clinical spectrum. The authors focus on the category of tumors that fall between the very favorable well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas and the very unfavorable anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. These intermediately aggressive tumors include poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma and the newly defined differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma. Both diagnoses require certain histopathologic requirements be met in order to accurately identify these tumors post-operatively. Management remains primarily surgical though adjunctive treatments such as molecular targeted therapies (eg, tyrosine kinase inhibitors) and differentiation therapy (to restore tumor response to radioactive iodine) are also becoming available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iram S Alam
- Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Health, 530 First Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Kepal N Patel
- Faculty Development, Division of Endocrine Surgery, NYU Langone Health, 530 First Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
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2
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Ragazzi M, Besutti G, Mancuso P, Rossi PG, Ciarrocchi A, Donati B, Manzotti G, Giordano D, Frasoldati A, Chiaruccci F, de de Biase D, Coluccelli S, Maloberti T, De Leo A, Piana S, Tallini G. Accuracy of World Health Organisation-grade parameters (necrosis and mitotic activity) and foci of vascular invasion in predicting prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. A case-control validation study. Histopathology 2024; 85:62-74. [PMID: 38477417 DOI: 10.1111/his.15173] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Tumour necrosis and/or increased mitoses define high-grade papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). It is unclear whether angioinvasion is prognostic for PTC. Cut-offs at five or more mitoses/2 mm2 and four or more angioinvasive foci have been empirically defined based upon data from all forms of aggressive non-anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. Performance of tumour necrosis, mitoses and vascular invasion in predicting distant metastases when specifically applied to PTC is undefined. METHODS We analysed 50 consecutive PTC cases with distant metastases (DM-PTC): 16 synchronous and 34 metachronous. A total of 108 non-metastatic PTC (N-DM-PTC, 15.0-year median follow-up) were used as controls. Invasive encapsulated follicular variant PTC was excluded. Necrosis, mitoses and angioinvasion were quantified. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) analyses determined best sensitivity and specificity cut-offs predictive of distant metastases. RESULTS Metastases correlated with necrosis (any extent = 43.8% all DM-PTC, 53.1% metachronous DM-PTC versus 5% N-DM-PTC; P < 0.001), mitoses (P < 0.001) and angioinvasion (P < 0.001). Mitoses at five or more per 2 mm2 was the best cut-off correlating with distant metastases: sensitivity/specificity 42.9%/97.2% all DM-PTC (AUC = 0.78), 18.8%/97.2% synchronous DM-PTC (AUC = 0.63), 54.6%/97.2% metachronous DM-PTC (AUC = 0.85). Angioinvasive foci at five or more was the best cut-off correlating with distant metastases: sensitivity/specificity 36.2%/91.7% all DM-PTC (AUC = 0.75), 25%/91.7% synchronous DM-PTC (AUC = 0.79) and 41.9%/91.7% metachronous DM-PTC (AUC = 0.73). Positive/negative predictive values (PPV/NPV) were: necrosis 22.6%/98.2%; five or more mitoses 32.3%/98.2%; five or more angioinvasive foci 11.8%/97.9%. After multivariable analysis, only necrosis and mitotic activity remained associated with DM-PTC. CONCLUSION Our data strongly support PTC grading, statistically validating World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria to identify poor prognosis PTC. Angioinvasion is not an independent predictor of DM-PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moira Ragazzi
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Besutti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Radiology Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Medicine, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Pamela Mancuso
- Epidemiology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Paolo Giorgi Rossi
- Epidemiology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Benedetta Donati
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Gloria Manzotti
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Davide Giordano
- Otolaryngology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Andrea Frasoldati
- Endocrinology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Dario de de Biase
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Coluccelli
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Thais Maloberti
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simonetta Piana
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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3
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Torous VF, Jitpasutham T, Baloch Z, Cantley RL, Kerr DA, Liu X, Maleki Z, Merkin R, Nosé V, Pantanowitz L, Resta IT, Rossi ED, Faquin WC. Cytologic features of differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma: A multi-institutional study of 40 cases. Cancer Cytopathol 2024. [PMID: 38873907 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma (DHGTC) is recently recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a subgroup of thyroid carcinomas with high-grade features while retaining the architectural and/or cytologic features of well-differentiated follicular-cell-derived tumors. The cytomorphology of DHGTC is not well documented despite potential implications for patient triage and management. METHODS The pathology archives of six institutions were searched for cases diagnosed on resection as "high-grade thyroid carcinoma" using WHO criteria. The fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cohort represents a 10-year period (2013-2023); all were reviewed to confirm DHGTC classification. The corresponding FNAs were assessed for 32 cytomorphologic features. RESULTS Forty cases of DHGTC with prior FNA were identified. The mean patient age was 64.2 years. The average lesion size was 4.9 cm, and the majority demonstrated a TI-RADS score of 4 or 5 (95.2%). Three main high-grade subsets of DHGTC based on corresponding histology included papillary thyroid carcinoma (65%), follicular carcinoma (22.5%), and oncocytic carcinoma (12.5%). Over 97% of FNA cases were classified as Bethesda category IV or above. Approximately 25% of DHGTC showed cytologic features that included marked cytologic atypia, increased anisonucleosis, large oval nuclei, mitotic activity, or necrosis (p < .05); 68% of DHGTC cases were associated with high-risk molecular alterations. TERT mutations occurred in 41%, of which 89% of these were associated with a second mutation, usually RAS or BRAF p.V600E. CONCLUSIONS Cytology has a low sensitivity for DHGTC, although a subset of DHGTCs have cytologic features raising the possibility of a high-grade thyroid carcinoma. Other findings include high-risk molecular changes and clinicopathologic features such as older patient age and larger lesion size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanda F Torous
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tikamporn Jitpasutham
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Zubair Baloch
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Richard L Cantley
- Department of Pathology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Darcy A Kerr
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth Health and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Xiaoying Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth Health and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Zahra Maleki
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ross Merkin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mass General Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vania Nosé
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Liron Pantanowitz
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Isabella Tondi Resta
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Esther D Rossi
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, "Agostino Gemelli" School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - William C Faquin
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Harahap AS, Roren RS, Imtiyaz S. A Comprehensive Review and Insights into the New Entity of Differentiated High-Grade Thyroid Carcinoma. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:3311-3328. [PMID: 38920735 PMCID: PMC11203239 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31060252] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma (DHGTC) is a new subset within the spectrum of thyroid malignancies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of DHGTC, focusing on its historical perspective, diagnosis, clinical characteristics, molecular profiles, management, and prognosis. DHGTC demonstrates an intermediate prognosis that falls between well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Previously unenumerated, this entity is now recognized for its significant impact. Patients with DHGTC often present at an older age with advanced disease and exhibit aggressive clinical behavior. Molecularly, DHGTC shares similarities with other thyroid malignancies, harboring driver mutations such as BRAFV600E and RAS, along with additional late mutations. The unique behavior and histologic features of DHGTC underscore the necessity of precise classification for prognostication and treatment selection. This highlights the critical importance of accurate diagnosis and recognition by pathologists to enrich future research on this entity further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Stephanie Harahap
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Universitas Indonesia, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia;
| | - Regina Stefani Roren
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Universitas Indonesia, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia;
| | - Shofiyya Imtiyaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia;
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Ghossein R, Katabi N, Dogan S, Shaha AR, Tuttle RM, Fagin JA, Ganly I, Xu B. Papillary thyroid carcinoma tall cell subtype (PTC-TC) and high-grade differentiated thyroid carcinoma tall cell phenotype (HGDTC-TC) have different clinical behaviour: a retrospective study of 1456 patients. Histopathology 2024; 84:1130-1138. [PMID: 38528726 DOI: 10.1111/his.15157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Papillary thyroid carcinoma, tall cell subtype (PTC-TC) is a potentially aggressive histotype. The latest World Health Organisation (WHO) classification introduced a novel class of tumours; namely, high-grade differentiated thyroid carcinoma (HGDTC), characterised by elevated mitotic count and/or necrosis, which can exhibit a tall cell phenotype (HGDTC-TC). METHODS AND RESULTS We analysed the clinical outcomes in a large retrospective cohort of 1456 consecutive thyroid carcinomas with a tall cell phenotype, including PTC-TC and HGDTC-TC. HGDTC-TC is uncommon, accounting for 5.3% (77 of 1379) of carcinomas with tall cell morphology. HGDTC-TC was associated with significantly older age, larger tumour size, angioinvasion, gross extrathyroidal extension, higher AJCC pT stage, positive resection margin and nodal metastasis (P < 0.05). Compared with PTC-TC, HGDTC was associated with a significantly decreased DSS, LRDFS and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS; P < 0.001). The 10-year DSS was 72 and 99%, the 10-year LRDFS was 61 and 92% and the 10-year DMFS was 53 and 97%, respectively, for HGDTC-TC and PTC-TC. On multivariate analysis, the classification (HGDTC-TC versus PTC-TC) was an independent adverse prognostic factor for DSS, LRDF, and DMFS when adjusted for sex, age, angioinvasion, margin status, AJCC pT and pN stage. CONCLUSIONS Compared with PTC-TC, HGDTC-TC is associated with adverse clinicopathological features, a higher frequency of TERT promoter mutations (59% in HGDTC-TC versus 34% in PTC-TC) and incurs a significantly worse prognosis. HGDTC-TC is an independent prognostic factor for carcinoma with tall cell morphology. This validates the concept of HGDTC and the importance of tumour necrosis and high mitotic count for accurate diagnosis and prognosis of differentiated thyroid carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Ghossein
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nora Katabi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Snjezana Dogan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ashok R Shaha
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - R Michael Tuttle
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - James A Fagin
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ian Ganly
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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6
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Cirello V, Gambale C, Nikitski AV, Masaki C, Roque J, Colombo C. Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: molecular, clinico-pathological hallmarks and therapeutic perspectives. Panminerva Med 2024; 66:155-173. [PMID: 38576304 DOI: 10.23736/s0031-0808.23.05040-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a rare and extremely aggressive tumor, accounting for about 2-15% of all thyroid cancer. PDTC has a distinct biological behavior compared to well-differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and, in last years, it has been classified as a separate entity from both anatomopathological and clinical points of view. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of consensus among clinicians regarding inclusion criteria and definition of PDTC that affects its diagnosis and clinical management. Due to its rarity and difficulty in classification compared to other tumors, very few studies are available to date and series often include different histotypes in addition to PDTC. This review focuses on main studies concerning PDTC summarizing the evolution in the definition of its diagnosis criteria, clinicopathological features, management, and outcome. The data available confirm that the pathological evaluation and classification of PDTC are crucial and should therefore be standardized. Since the clinical presentation and prognosis of PDTC may vary widely depending on the different stage of the disease at diagnosis, the patient's management may differ in treatment and should be tailored to each patient. Finally, this review discusses advances in molecular insights of PDTC that, together with the implementation of both in vitro and in vivo models, will provide valuable insights into biological mechanisms of progression, metastasis, and invasion of this aggressive thyroid carcinoma. Further studies on larger, carefully selected series are needed to better assess the peculiar features of PDTC and to better define its management by focusing on the best diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cirello
- Endocrine Oncology Unit, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carla Gambale
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Endocrine Unit, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alyaksandr V Nikitski
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chie Masaki
- Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - João Roque
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carla Colombo
- Endocrine Oncology Unit, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy -
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Turner N, Hamidi S, Ouni R, Rico R, Henderson YC, Puche M, Alekseev S, Colunga-Minutti JG, Zafereo ME, Lai SY, Kim ST, Cabanillas ME, Nurieva R. Emerging therapeutic options for follicular-derived thyroid cancer in the era of immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369780. [PMID: 38868771 PMCID: PMC11167082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Although most follicular-derived thyroid cancers are well differentiated and have an overall excellent prognosis following treatment with surgery and radioiodine, management of advanced thyroid cancers, including iodine refractory disease and poorly differentiated/undifferentiated subtypes, is more challenging. Over the past decade, better understanding of the genetic drivers and immune milieu of advanced thyroid cancers has led to significant progress in the management of these patients. Numerous targeted kinase inhibitors are now approved by the U.S Food and Drug administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced, radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) as well as anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Immunotherapy has also been thoroughly studied and has shown promise in selected cases. In this review, we summarize the progress in the understanding of the genetic landscape and the cellular and molecular basis of radioiodine refractory-DTC and ATC, as well as discuss the current treatment options and future therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naimah Turner
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sarah Hamidi
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rim Ouni
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rene Rico
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ying C. Henderson
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Puche
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Engineering, Houston Christian University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sayan Alekseev
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Program of Biology, College of Sciences, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Jocelynn G. Colunga-Minutti
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Program of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mark E. Zafereo
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Stephen Y. Lai
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sang T. Kim
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Maria E. Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Roza Nurieva
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Program of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX, United States
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8
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Higgins KE, Sadow PM, Johnson DN, Wang P, Wanjari P, Cipriani NA. Columnar Cell Thyroid Carcinoma: A Heterogeneous Entity Demonstrating Overlap Between Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Follicular Neoplasms. Head Neck Pathol 2024; 18:39. [PMID: 38727854 PMCID: PMC11087446 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-024-01645-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Columnar cell papillary thyroid carcinoma (CC-PTC) is a morphologic subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma with a variable prognosis. It is characterized by neoplastic thyroid follicular-derived cells with pseudostratified columnar morphology arranged in papillary or follicular structures with supranuclear or subnuclear vacuoles. The molecular profile of this subtype has only recently come under scrutiny, with mixed results. The aim of this study is to further explore the morphologic, immunohistochemical, and genetic profile of CC-PTC, as well as to correlate these features with clinical outcomes. METHODS CC-PTC cases were identified from 3 institutions. Immunohistochemistry (ER, CDX2) and molecular testing (DNA and RNA sequencing) were performed. Clinicopathologic parameters and patient outcomes were recorded. RESULTS Twelve cases (2006-2023) were identified, all in adults (age 45-91). Two presented with disease outside the thyroid gland (neck and mediastinum) and two presented with distant metastasis. Four were high-grade differentiated thyroid carcinomas (necrosis or mitoses), one of which died of disease. Four were noninvasive or minimally invasive, one of which locally recurred. Three patients had lymph node metastases. ER and CDX2 were positive in 73% and 50%, respectively. Pathogenic mutations were found in TERT promoter (n = 3), RAS (n = 2), ATM, NOTCH1, APC, and ESR1, along with cases bearing AGK::BRAF fusion (n = 1), BRAF VE1 expression (n = 1), and NF2 loss (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS This study represents the largest molecularly defined cohort of non-oncocytic thyroid carcinomas with columnar cell morphology. These tumors represent a genetically and behaviorally heterogeneous group of neoplasms, some of which have RAS-like or follicular neoplasm-like genetics, some of which have BRAF-p.V600E-like or classic papillary thyroid carcinoma-like genetics, and some of which remain unclear. Noninvasive or minimally invasive tumors showed an indolent course compared to those with angioinvasion, gross extrathyroidal growth, or high-grade morphology. Consideration could be given to reclassification of this neoplasm outside of the subtyping of papillary thyroid carcinoma in light of its genetic diversity, distinct morphology, and clinical behavior more closely aligned with follicular thyroid neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E Higgins
- College of Dentistry, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA
| | - Peter M Sadow
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Peng Wang
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Pankhuri Wanjari
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Nicole A Cipriani
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, USA.
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9
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Coca-Pelaz A, Rodrigo JP, Agaimy A, Williams MD, Saba NF, Nuyts S, Randolph GW, López F, Vander Poorten V, Kowalski LP, Civantos FJ, Zafereo ME, Mäkitie AA, Cohen O, Nixon IJ, Rinaldo A, Ferlito A. Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas: conceptual controversy and clinical impact. Virchows Arch 2024; 484:733-742. [PMID: 38400843 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-024-03752-5] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTC) are rare diseases; nevertheless, they account for the majority of deaths from non-anaplastic follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinomas. Establishing the diagnosis and treatment of PDTC is challenging given the low incidence and the lack of standardization of diagnostic criteria. These limitations hamper the ability to compare therapeutic modalities and outcomes between recent and older studies. Recently, the 5th edition of the classification of endocrine tumors has been published, which includes changes in nomenclature and the addition of the disease entity of "differentiated high-grade follicular cell-derived carcinomas". On the other hand, the recently witnessed advances in molecular diagnostics have enriched therapeutic options and improved prognosis for patients. We herein review the various historical variations and evolution in the diagnostic criteria for PDTC. This systematic review attempts to clarify the evolution of the histological and molecular characteristics of this disease, its prognosis, as well as its treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Coca-Pelaz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Av/ Rome S/N. 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
| | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Av/ Rome S/N. 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michelle D Williams
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sandra Nuyts
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gregory W Randolph
- Division of Thyroid and Parathyroid Endocrine Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fernando López
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Av/ Rome S/N. 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Vincent Vander Poorten
- Department of Oncology, Section Head and Neck Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luiz P Kowalski
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco J Civantos
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Mark E Zafereo
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Antti A Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Oded Cohen
- Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Affiliated With Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Iain J Nixon
- Department of Surgery and Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Alfio Ferlito
- Coordinator of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy
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10
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Whaley RD, Gupta S, Erickson LA. Oncocytic Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma. Mayo Clin Proc 2024; 99:511-512. [PMID: 38432755 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Rumeal D Whaley
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Sounak Gupta
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Lori A Erickson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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11
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Tondi Resta I, Gubbiotti MA, Montone KT, Livolsi VA, Baloch ZW. Differentiated high grade thyroid carcinomas: Diagnostic consideration and clinical features. Hum Pathol 2024; 144:53-60. [PMID: 38244615 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2024.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinomas (DHGTCs) are a new diagnostic entity most recently defined in the 2022 World Health Organization's (WHO) Classification of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors. This new entity has been minimally described in the literature, and additional cases classified as such are missing. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cases of DHGTCs diagnosed at our institution from 2012 to 2022 were identified, and the following were reviewed: cytologic and histologic diagnoses, ancillary testing, immunohistochemical staining, treatments, and patient outcomes. Immunohistochemical staining for Ki67 was performed on selected cases lacking this immunostain. A systematic literature review of the English literature on DHGTCs from 2013 to 2023 was performed using PubMed and Embase. RESULTS Case cohort included 32 cases of DHGTCs, with an average age of 52.6 years (range 17-84 years) and a male:female ratio of 1.3:1. All cases underwent fine needle aspiration (FNA) and were categorized by The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) as follows: 14 cases as malignant (43.8 %), 10 as follicular neoplasm (31.3 %), 5 as atypia of undetermined significance (15.6 %), 2 as suspicious for malignancy (6.2 %), and 1 as non-diagnostic (3.1 %). The average tumor size was 5.15 cm, and most were papillary thyroid carcinoma (28, 87.5 %), with classic subtype being the most common. Twenty-one cases revealed tumor necrosis and the mitotic activity in lesions without necrosis averaged to 5.5 mitoses per 2 mm2 (range 0-7). The average Ki67 proliferative index was 5.6 %. Extrathyroidal extension was seen in 17, angioinvasion in 21, lymphatic invasion in 7, and perineural invasion in 1 case. Foci of solid or trabecular growth were identified in five cases. Lymph node metastases at the time of diagnosis were noted in 10 cases and 7 demonstrated distant metastases or locoregional recurrence. To date, 25 patients are alive, and one has died from disease. CONCLUSIONS Our institutional experience demonstrates that DHGTC is a rare, but aggressive thyroid tumor subtype that requires consideration in the setting of a well-differentiated thyroid neoplasm to appropriately assess for possible disease recurrence and determination of patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Tondi Resta
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - M A Gubbiotti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - K T Montone
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - V A Livolsi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Z W Baloch
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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12
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De Leo A, Ruscelli M, Maloberti T, Coluccelli S, Repaci A, de Biase D, Tallini G. Molecular pathology of endocrine gland tumors: genetic alterations and clinicopathologic relevance. Virchows Arch 2024; 484:289-319. [PMID: 38108848 PMCID: PMC10948534 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-023-03713-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumors of the endocrine glands are common. Knowledge of their molecular pathology has greatly advanced in the recent past. This review covers the main molecular alterations of tumors of the anterior pituitary, thyroid and parathyroid glands, adrenal cortex, and adrenal medulla and paraganglia. All endocrine gland tumors enjoy a robust correlation between genotype and phenotype. High-throughput molecular analysis demonstrates that endocrine gland tumors can be grouped into molecular groups that are relevant from both pathologic and clinical point of views. In this review, genetic alterations have been discussed and tabulated with respect to their molecular pathogenetic role and clinicopathologic implications, addressing the use of molecular biomarkers for the purpose of diagnosis and prognosis and predicting response to molecular therapy. Hereditary conditions that play a key role in determining predisposition to many types of endocrine tumors are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio De Leo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Ruscelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Thais Maloberti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Coluccelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Repaci
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
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13
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Landa I, Cabanillas ME. Genomic alterations in thyroid cancer: biological and clinical insights. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2024; 20:93-110. [PMID: 38049644 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00920-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumours can arise from thyroid follicular cells if they acquire driver mutations that constitutively activate the MAPK signalling pathway. In addition, a limited set of additional mutations in key genes drive tumour progression towards more aggressive and less differentiated disease. Unprecedented insights into thyroid tumour biology have come from the breadth of thyroid tumour sequencing data from patients and the wide range of mutation-specific mechanisms identified in experimental models, in combination with the genomic simplicity of thyroid cancers. This knowledge is gradually being translated into refined strategies to stratify, manage and treat patients with thyroid cancer. This Review summarizes the biological underpinnings of the genetic alterations involved in thyroid cancer initiation and progression. We also provide a rationale for and discuss specific examples of how to implement genomic information to inform both recommended and investigational approaches to improve thyroid cancer prognosis, redifferentiation strategies and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Landa
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Maria E Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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14
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Goswami P, Patel T, Dave R, Singh G, Singh A, Kalonia T. WHO 2022 updates on follicular cell and c-cell derived thyroid neoplasm. J Med Life 2024; 17:15-23. [PMID: 38737660 PMCID: PMC11080517 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2023-0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The latest edition of the WHO Classification of thyroid tumors was released in 2022 and incorporates novel concepts vital to patient management. Thyroid follicular nodular disease is a term used to collectively represent a wide variety of benign and non-neoplastic lesions, including both clonal and non-clonal proliferations that manifest clinically as multinodular goiter. Thyroid neoplasms develop from follicular cells and can be either benign, low-risk, or malignant. To avoid classifying all lesions under 1 cm in diameter as low-risk illnesses, the new classification method highlights the need for subtyping papillary thyroid cancer based on histomorphologic indicators rather than tumor size. Formerly known as the cribriform-morular variety of papillary thyroid carcinoma, this tumor is now more commonly referred to by its more accurate name, cribriform-morular thyroid carcinoma. Its histogenesis is unknown. Similar to the traditional definition of 'poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma' according to the Turin criteria, the newly defined 'differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma' encompasses papillary thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid carcinomas, and oncocytic carcinomas with high-grade characteristics linked to worse prognosis. The squamous cell subtype of anaplastic thyroid cancer has also recently been characterized as a distinct morphologic pattern. In this article, we will discuss the latest revision to the World Health Organization's classification system for thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parth Goswami
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gurjat, India
| | - Tarang Patel
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gurjat, India
| | - Rushang Dave
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gurjat, India
| | - Gyanendra Singh
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gurjat, India
| | - Anurag Singh
- King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Tushar Kalonia
- Department of Pathology, Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida, India
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15
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Nannini M, Repaci A, Nigro MC, Colapinto A, Vicennati V, Maloberti T, Gruppioni E, Altimari A, Solaroli E, Lodi Rizzini E, Monari F, De Leo A, Damiani S, Pagotto U, Pantaleo MA, de Biase D, Tallini G. Clinical relevance of gene mutations and rearrangements in advanced differentiated thyroid cancer. ESMO Open 2023; 8:102039. [PMID: 37879236 PMCID: PMC10774965 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.102039] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor genotyping is becoming crucial to optimize the clinical management of patients with advanced differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC); however, its implementation in clinical practice remains undefined. We herein report our single-center experience on molecular advanced DTC testing by next-generation sequencing approach, to better define how and when tumor genotyping can assist clinical decision making. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively collected data on all adult patients with advanced DTC who received molecular profiling at the IRCSS Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital from 2008 to 2022. The genetic alterations were correlated with radioactive iodide refractory (RAI-R), RAI uptake/disease status, and time to RAI resistance (TTRR) development. RESULTS A significant correlation was found between RAI-R development and genetic alterations (P = 0.0001). About 48.7% of RAI-R cases were positive for TERT/TP53 mutations (as both a single event and comutations with other driver gene alterations, such as BRAF mutations, RAS mutations, or gene fusions), while the great majority of RAI-sensitive cases carried gene fusions (41.9%) or were wild type (WT; 41.9%). RAI uptake/disease status and time to TTRR were significantly associated with genetic alterations (P = 0.0001). In particular, DTC with TERT/TP53 mutations as a single event or as comutations displayed a shorter median TTRR of 35.4 months (range 15.0-55.8 months), in comparison to the other molecular subgroups. TERT/TP53 mutations as a single event or as comutations remained independently associated with RAI-R after Cox multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 4.14, 95% CI 1.51-11.32; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Routine testing for genetic alterations should be included as part of the clinical workup, for identifying both the subset of more aggressive tumors and the subset of tumors harboring actionable gene fusions, thus ensuring the appropriate management for all patients with advanced DTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nannini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna; Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna.
| | - A Repaci
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna
| | - M C Nigro
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna
| | - A Colapinto
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna
| | - V Vicennati
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna; Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna
| | - T Maloberti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna
| | - E Gruppioni
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna
| | - A Altimari
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna
| | - E Solaroli
- Endocrinology Unit-Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna
| | - E Lodi Rizzini
- Division of Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna
| | - F Monari
- Division of Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna
| | - A De Leo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna
| | - S Damiani
- Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Bellaria & Maggiore Hospital, AUSL di Bologna, Bologna
| | - U Pagotto
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna; Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna
| | - M A Pantaleo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna; Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna
| | - D de Biase
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - G Tallini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna; Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna
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16
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Asa SL, Uccella S, Tischler A. The Unique Importance of Differentiation and Function in Endocrine Neoplasia. Endocr Pathol 2023; 34:382-392. [PMID: 37043101 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-023-09762-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of cell differentiation in endocrine neoplasms involves not only the identification of a cell's structure and expression of specific transcription factors which regulate that cell, but also the identification of hormones and/or enzymes involved in hormone synthesis. The importance of this functional characterization is emphasized by the fact that the hormones serve as biomarkers for clinical surveillance to identify persistence, recurrence, or progression of disease. Sometimes, unusual patterns of hormone expression lead to unexpected clinical signs and symptoms. Loss of differentiated hormone production can be a sign of dedifferentiation as a tumor becomes more aggressive. In addition to prognostic information, cell differentiation can be predictive, since differentiated endocrine cells express targets for therapy, such as the sodium iodide symporter in thyroid cancers and somatostatin receptors in neuroendocrine tumors. The salient features of differentiation in the three main types of endocrine cells can be used to determine prognosis and to tailor management of patients with endocrine neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia L Asa
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Silvia Uccella
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Arthur Tischler
- Department of Pathology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
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17
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Jeong SI, Kim W, Yu HW, Choi JY, Ahn CH, Moon JH, Choi SI, Cha W, Jeong WJ, Park SY, Na HY. Incidence and Clinicopathological Features of Differentiated High-Grade Thyroid Carcinomas: An Institutional Experience. Endocr Pathol 2023; 34:287-297. [PMID: 37515661 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-023-09778-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma (DHGTC) is a new entity in the 2022 WHO classification. We aimed to investigate the incidence and clinicopathological features of differentiated HG thyroid carcinoma (DHGTC) and compare the clinicopathological parameters of DHGTC, DTC without HG features, and poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC). A total of 1069 DTCs including papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) and follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTCs) were included in this study. Consecutive 22 PDTCs were also included for comparative purposes. There were a total of 14 (1.3%) cases of DHGTCs, with 13 HGPTCs (1.2% of PTCs) and one HGFTC (6.7% of FTCs). Compared to DTCs without HG features, DHGTCs were associated with larger tumor size, presence of blood vessel invasion, gross extrathyroidal extension, distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis, higher American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, high American Thyroid Association risk, and TERT promoter mutations. DHGTC and PDTC showed a significantly shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) than DTC without HG features. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that blood vessel invasion, lateral node metastasis, TERT promoter mutations, and HG features were independent prognostic factors (all p < 0.05). When tumor necrosis and increased mitotic count were evaluated separately, tumor necrosis, but not increased mitotic counts, was found to be an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.006). This study confirmed that DHGTC is significantly associated with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor clinical outcomes, similar to PDTC. Although the incidence is low, careful microscopic examination of HG features in DTC is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se In Jeong
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Woochul Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong Won Yu
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - June Young Choi
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Ho Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Il Choi
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonjae Cha
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jin Jeong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hee Young Na
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Fagin JA, Krishnamoorthy GP, Landa I. Pathogenesis of cancers derived from thyroid follicular cells. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:631-650. [PMID: 37438605 PMCID: PMC10763075 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00598-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The genomic simplicity of differentiated cancers derived from thyroid follicular cells offers unique insights into how oncogenic drivers impact tumour phenotype. Essentially, the main oncoproteins in thyroid cancer activate nodes in the receptor tyrosine kinase-RAS-BRAF pathway, which constitutively induces MAPK signalling to varying degrees consistent with their specific biochemical mechanisms of action. The magnitude of the flux through the MAPK signalling pathway determines key elements of thyroid cancer biology, including differentiation state, invasive properties and the cellular composition of the tumour microenvironment. Progression of disease results from genomic lesions that drive immortalization, disrupt chromatin accessibility and cause cell cycle checkpoint dysfunction, in conjunction with a tumour microenvironment characterized by progressive immunosuppression. This Review charts the genomic trajectories of these common endocrine tumours, while connecting them to the biological states that they confer.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Fagin
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Gnana P Krishnamoorthy
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Iñigo Landa
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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19
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Metovic J, Cabutti F, Osella-Abate S, Orlando G, Tampieri C, Napoli F, Maletta F, Daniele L, Volante M, Papotti M. Clinical and Pathological Features and Gene Expression Profiles of Clinically Aggressive Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas. Endocr Pathol 2023; 34:298-310. [PMID: 37208504 PMCID: PMC10511602 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-023-09769-x] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is considered an indolent neoplasm but it may demonstrate aggressive behavior. We aimed to identify clinical and pathological characteristics and molecular signatures associated with aggressive forms of PTCs. We selected 43 aggressive PTC cases based on the presence of metastases at the time of diagnosis, the development of distant metastasis during follow-up, and/or biochemical recurrence, and 43 PTC patients that were disease-free upon follow-up, matching them according to age, sex, pT, and pN parameters. Twenty-four pairs (a total of 48 cases) and 6 normal thyroid tissues were studied using targeted mRNA screening of cancer-associated genes employing NanoString nCounter® technology. In general, aggressive PTCs showed distinctive clinical and morphological features. Among adverse prognostic parameters, the presence of necrosis and an increased mitotic index were associated with shorter disease-free and overall survivals. Other parameters associated with shorter disease-free or overall survivals include a lack of tumor capsule, the presence of vascular invasion, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, fibrosclerotic changes, age > 55 years, and a high pTN stage. Various pathways were differentially regulated in non-aggressive as compared to aggressive PTC, including the DNA damage repair, the MAPK, and the RAS pathways. In particular, the hedgehog pathway was differentially de-regulated in aggressive PTC as compared to non-aggressive PTC cases, being WNT10A and GLI3 genes significantly up- and down-regulated in aggressive PTC and GSK3B up-regulated in non-aggressive PTC cases. In conclusion, our study revealed specific molecular signatures and morphological features in aggressive PTC that may be useful to predict more aggressive behavior in a subset of PTC patients. These findings may be useful when developing novel, tailored treatment options for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasna Metovic
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Città Della Salute E Della Scienza Hospital, Pathology Unit, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Cabutti
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Città Della Salute E Della Scienza Hospital, Pathology Unit, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Orlando
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Città Della Salute E Della Scienza Hospital, Pathology Unit, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristian Tampieri
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Città Della Salute E Della Scienza Hospital, Pathology Unit, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Napoli
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Maletta
- Pathology Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Marco Volante
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
| | - Mauro Papotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Città Della Salute E Della Scienza Hospital, Pathology Unit, Turin, Italy
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Rath A, Prabhala S, Somalwar SB, Pradeep I, Singh NK. Solid/trabecular subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma on cytology with focal differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma on histology: a cyto-histologic correlation. Ecancermedicalscience 2023; 17:1587. [PMID: 37799954 PMCID: PMC10550291 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2023.1587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Solid/trabecular subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma (S/T PTC) is a rare entity that has been shown to have higher tumour recurrence and mortality rates. A definite diagnosis on fine needle aspiration cytology is often not easy. Rather, this entity may be misdiagnosed in cytology due to a lack of widespread features of classic PTC. We present a case of S/T PTC in a 61-year-old female, showing a focus on differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma (DHGTC) on histology. We discuss cytological features with the histologic correlation of S/T PTC and briefly discuss the newly introduced entity, DHGTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Rath
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bibinagar, Hyderabad 508126, Telangana, India
| | - Shailaja Prabhala
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bibinagar, Hyderabad 508126, Telangana, India
| | - Shrinivas Bheemrao Somalwar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bibinagar, Hyderabad 508126, Telangana, India
| | - Immanuel Pradeep
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bibinagar, Hyderabad 508126, Telangana, India
| | - Namit Kant Singh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bibinagar, Hyderabad 508126, Telangana, India
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21
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Haddad R, Elisei R, Hoff AO, Liu Z, Pitoia F, Pruneri G, Sadow PM, Soares F, Turk A, Williams MD, Wirth LJ, Cabanillas ME. Diagnosis and Management of Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase Fusion-Positive Thyroid Carcinomas: A Review. JAMA Oncol 2023; 9:1132-1141. [PMID: 37289450 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.1379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Importance Thyroid epithelial malignant neoplasms include differentiated thyroid carcinomas (papillary, follicular, and oncocytic), follicular-derived high-grade thyroid carcinomas, and anaplastic and medullary thyroid carcinomas, with additional rarer subtypes. The discovery of neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions has fostered developments in precision oncology, with the approval of tropomyosin receptor kinase inhibitors (larotrectinib and entrectinib) for patients with solid tumors, including advanced thyroid carcinomas, harboring NTRK gene fusions. Observations The relative rarity and diagnostic complexity of NTRK gene fusion events in thyroid carcinoma present several challenges for clinicians, including variable access to robust methodologies for comprehensive NTRK fusion testing and poorly defined algorithms of when to test for such molecular alterations. To address these issues in thyroid carcinoma, 3 consensus meetings of expert oncologists and pathologists were convened to discuss diagnostic challenges and propose a rational diagnostic algorithm. Per the proposed diagnostic algorithm, NTRK gene fusion testing should be considered as part of the initial workup for patients with unresectable, advanced, or high-risk disease as well as following the development of radioiodine-refractory or metastatic disease; testing by DNA or RNA next-generation sequencing is recommended. Detecting the presence of NTRK gene fusions is important to identify patients eligible to receive tropomyosin receptor kinase inhibitor therapy. Conclusions and Relevance This review provides practical guidance for optimal integration of gene fusion testing, including NTRK gene fusion testing, to inform the clinical management in patients with thyroid carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rossella Elisei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ana O Hoff
- Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, University of São Paulo and Vila Nova Star Hospital, Rede D'Or, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Zhiyan Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fabian Pitoia
- Hospital de Clinicas, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Giancarlo Pruneri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- University of Milan, School of Medicine, Milan, Italy
| | - Peter M Sadow
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | | | - Andrew Turk
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Michelle D Williams
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Lori J Wirth
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Maria E Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
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22
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Xu B. Molecular alterations of follicular cell-derived thyroid neoplasms. DIAGNOSTIC HISTOPATHOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mpdhp.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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23
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Thompson LDR. High Grade Differentiated Follicular Cell-Derived Thyroid Carcinoma Versus Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A Clinicopathologic Analysis of 41 Cases. Endocr Pathol 2023:10.1007/s12022-023-09770-4. [PMID: 37195480 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-023-09770-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Criteria overlap for separating between malignant follicular epithelial cell-derived thyroid gland neoplasms with high grade features of increased mitoses and tumor necrosis but lacking anaplastic histology. Patterns of growth, nuclear features, tumor necrosis, and various mitotic index cutoffs are suggested, but a reproducible Ki-67-based labeling index has not been established. Forty-one cases diagnosed as poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) or high grade differentiated follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinoma (HGDFCDTC) were reviewed, with histologic features, mitotic figure counts, and Ki-67 labeling index reviewed on cases within Southern California Permanente Medical Group from 2010 to 2021 to establish any potential outcome differences. There were 17 HGDFCDTC (nine papillary thyroid carcinoma; eight oncocytic follicular thyroid carcinoma), median age 64 years, affecting nine females and eight males. Tumors were large (median, 6.0 cm), usually unifocal (n = 13), with only one tumor lacking invasion. Tumor necrosis was present in all; median mitotic count was 5/2 mm2 (median Ki-67 labeling index 8.3%). Three patients had metastatic disease at presentation, with additional metastases in four patients (41.2% developed metastases); 11 were without evidence of disease (median 21.2 months); with the remaining six patients alive (n = 4) or dead (n = 2) with metastatic disease (median 25.8 months). Criteria associated with an increased risk of developing metastatic disease: widely invasive tumors; age ≥ 55 years; male; advanced tumor size and stage; extrathyroidal extension; but not increased mitotic rate or higher labeling index. There were 24 PDTC, median age 57.5 years, affecting 13 females and 11 males. Tumors were large (median, 6.9 cm), with 50% part of multifocal disease, with three tumors lacking invasion. Insular/trabecular/solid architecture was seen in all tumors; tumor necrosis was present in 23; and median mitotic count was 6/2 mm2 (median Ki-67 labeling index 6.9%). Five patients had metastatic disease at presentation, with additional metastases in 3 patients (29.2% developed metastases); 16 were without evidence of disease (median, 48.1 months); with the remaining 8 patients alive (n = 3) or dead (n = 5) with metastatic disease (median, 22.4 months). Criteria associated with an increased risk of developing metastatic disease: widely invasive tumors; male; advanced tumor size and stage; extrathyroidal extension; but not increased mitotic rate or higher labeling index. HGDFCDTC shows tumor necrosis, a median Ki-67 labeling index of 8.3%, with a high percentage (41%) of patients developing metastatic disease. Extent of invasion (non-invasive, minimally invasive, angioinvasive, widely invasive) correlates strongly with developing metastatic disease. PDTC presents at a slightly younger age, with large tumors, often in a background of multifocal tumors, with tumor necrosis nearly always seen, a median Ki-67 labeling index of 6.9%, with 29% of patients developing metastatic disease. Separation between groups is meaningful as early metastatic disease is relatively common, but mitotic counts/labeling indices are not different between the groups nor able to potentially risk stratify development of metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lester D R Thompson
- Head and Neck Pathology Consultations, 22543 Ventura Blvd, Ste 220 PMB1034, Woodland Hills, CA, 91364, USA.
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24
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Gubbiotti MA, Andrianus S, Sakhi R, Zhang Q, Montone K, Jalaly JB, Baloch Z. Does the Presence of Capsule Influence Prognosis in Poorly-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma? Hum Pathol 2023; 136:96-104. [PMID: 37054782 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
We collected all cases of poorly-differentiated thyroid carcinoma at our institution diagnosed between 2007-2022 to investigate the role of tumor capsule in these neoplasms along with other histologic factors that may lead to adverse patient outcome. After the exclusion of those meeting criteria for differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma or anaplastic carcinoma, we were left with 65 cases with a poorly-differentiated component. Four of those cases (6.2%) were entirely encapsulated with no invasion of the tumor capsule. Unencapsulated tumors showed significantly greater rates of extrathyroidal extension (75.0% vs. 41.5%) and death from disease (45.5% vs. 12.5%) than encapsulated tumors, regardless of capsular invasion, with no differences in sex, tumor size, angioinvasion, local recurrence, or metastasis. Compared with encapsulated tumors with invasion, encapsulated tumors without capsular invasion showed a strong male predominance (100% vs. 38.8%). No encapsulated tumors without capsular invasion demonstrated local recurrence, metastasis, or death from disease. No differences in percentage of poorly-differentiated components were noted among the three groups although there was a trend for encapsulated tumors to have a higher amount of poorly-differentiated component than unencapsulated tumors. We conclude that invasive tumors lacking a capsule demonstrate greater rates of disease-related death despite showing similar adverse histologic features to invasive encapsulated tumors. Moreover, we confirm that encapsulated tumors without capsular invasion have excellent long-term outcomes in terms of recurrences, metastases, and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Gubbiotti
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Department of Pathology, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
| | - Stefen Andrianus
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Department of Pathology, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Ramen Sakhi
- Pacific Pathology Partners, 550 17(th) Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98122
| | - Qingzhao Zhang
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Department of Pathology, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Kathleen Montone
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Department of Pathology, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Jalal B Jalaly
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Department of Pathology, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Zubair Baloch
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Department of Pathology, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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25
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Basolo F, Macerola E, Poma AM, Torregrossa L. The 5 th edition of WHO classification of tumors of endocrine organs: changes in the diagnosis of follicular-derived thyroid carcinoma. Endocrine 2023; 80:470-476. [PMID: 36964880 PMCID: PMC10199828 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03336-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
The 5th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of endocrine tumors was released in 2022. Several novelties have been introduced concerning the nomenclature and histopathological diagnosis of follicular-derived thyroid neoplasms. Tumor types have been sharply classified according to prognostic risk categories into benign tumors, low-risk neoplasms and malignant neoplasms. A grading system for differentiated thyroid carcinomas has been implemented with the aim of improving the stratification of tumors. Particular attention has been paid to the molecular profile of well-differentiated histotypes. In this review, the main changes introduced by the latest edition of the WHO system are presented. The practical effects on the diagnostic pathology of thyroid tumors, along with the clinical implications expected with the new classification scheme, are critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Basolo
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area - University of Pisa, via Savi 10, Pisa, 56126, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Macerola
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area - University of Pisa, via Savi 10, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Anello Marcello Poma
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area - University of Pisa, via Savi 10, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Liborio Torregrossa
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area - University of Pisa, via Savi 10, Pisa, 56126, Italy
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26
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Chu YH. This is Your Thyroid on Drugs: Targetable Mutations and Fusions in Thyroid Carcinoma. Surg Pathol Clin 2023; 16:57-73. [PMID: 36739167 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review aims to provide an overview of the molecular pathogenesis thyroid carcinomas, emphasizing genetic alterations that are therapeutically actionable. The main pathways in thyroid carcinogenesis are the MAPK and PI3K pathways. Point mutations and gene rearrangements affecting the pathway effectors and receptor tyrosine kinases are well-known drivers of thyroid cancer. Research over the past few decades has successfully introduced highly effective treatments for unresectable thyroid cancer, evolving from multi-kinase inhibitors to structurally selective agents, with constantly improving toxicity profiles and coverage of resistance mechanisms. The pros and cons of major laboratory techniques for therapeutic target identification are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hsia Chu
- Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, No. 5, Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan.
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27
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Cracolici V. No Longer Well-Differentiated: Diagnostic Criteria and Clinical Importance of Poorly Differentiated/High-Grade Thyroid Carcinoma. Surg Pathol Clin 2023; 16:45-56. [PMID: 36739166 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2022.09.006] [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: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) and differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma (DHGTC) are uncommon thyroid malignancies, recently (re)codified into distinct entities with overlapping clinical significance. Recognizing them may be challenging for the general practitioner and subspecialty pathologist alike. This article will describe the required features to diagnose PDTC and DHGTC, differential diagnostic considerations, molecular findings, and clinical implications. It is intended to be a general synopsis of the most critical elements of PDTC and DHGTC as well as a summary of points in approaching these challenging cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Cracolici
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, 9500 Euclid Avenue, L25, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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28
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Cracolici V, Cipriani NA. High-Grade Non-Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinomas of Follicular Cell Origin: A Review of Poorly Differentiated and High-Grade Differentiated Carcinomas. Endocr Pathol 2023; 34:34-47. [PMID: 36692728 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-023-09752-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) and high-grade differentiated thyroid carcinoma (HGDTC) are considered high-grade follicular-derived thyroid carcinomas, with prognoses intermediate between well-differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Both share the presence of invasion, thyroid follicular-cell origin, and tumor necrosis or increased mitoses (≥ 3 mitoses per 2 mm2 in PDTC and ≥ 5 mitoses per 2 mm2 in HGDTC), without anaplastic dedifferentiation. PDTC must possess solid, trabecular, or insular growth and lack classic papillary-like nuclei; HGDTC can be of any architectural or nuclear morphology (follicular-like, papillary-like, oncocytic). Transformation may be accompanied by acquisition of high-risk mutations (such as TP53 or TERT promoter) on top of RAS-like or BRAF p.V600E-like (including NTRK-fusion) initial driver mutations. These carcinomas most frequently affect adults and often present with metastases (20-50%) or wide local invasion. As PDTC and HGDTC may be radioactive iodine resistant, post-surgical therapy may consist of external beam radiotherapy or targeted, mutation-dependent chemotherapy, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Ten-year disease specific survival is as low as 50%. Awareness of high-grade features in the diagnostic setting is important for patient prognosis and triage of tissue for molecular analysis in order to guide relevant clinical management and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole A Cipriani
- The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, MC 6101, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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29
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Xu B, Lubin DJ, Dogan S, Ghossein RA, Viswanathan K. Significance of oncocytic features in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma - a bi-institutional experience. Virchows Arch 2023; 482:479-491. [PMID: 36346459 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03422-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC), defined by Turin criteria, comprises a subset of high-grade follicular-derived thyroid carcinomas with intermediate prognosis. While differentiated oncocytic thyroid carcinomas demonstrate clinicopathologic and genetic differences compared to their non-oncocytic counterparts, similar data is limited in oncocytic (Hurthle) PDTCs (OPDTCs). Here, we assessed the impact of various oncocytic cut-offs in PDTCs on clinical, histologic and survival parameters.Our bi-institutional cohort comprised 210 primary PDTCs with available slides reviewed by at least one pathologist. Histologic features, including oncocytic fraction, were recorded. Clinicopathologic data were obtained, including overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), locoregional recurrence free survival (LRRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Radioactive iodine avidity data was available for 125 PDTCs based on postoperative whole-body scanning.Within our cohort, 39.0% PDTCs had any oncocytic component with 24.8% meeting the 75% World Health Organization (WHO) oncocytic definition. Any oncocytic component and > 25% oncocytic cut-off correlated with decreased DSS and LRRFS, respectively, compared to non-oncocytic PDTCs (NOPDTCs) on univariate and multivariate analysis. The 100% oncocytic cut-off was significant for DSS on univariate analysis but a non-significant trend on multivariate analysis. Any oncocytic cut-off (100%, > 75%, > 50%, > 25%, or > 0%) conferred higher radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractoriness to OPDTCs compared to NOPDTCs. NF1 and PTEN alterations were enriched in OPDTCs (40% vs. 0%, and 60% vs 8%, respectively), whereas NRAS mutations were frequent in NOPDTCs (47% vs. 7%).Among PDTCs, the presence of oncocytes led to downward trend in all outcome parameters, especially for DSS and LRRFS. OPDTCs were enriched in NF1 and PTEN mutations. Consistently, all oncocytic cut-offs were associated with RAI-refractoriness. Accordingly, additional studies are needed to reassess the current 75% cut-off used to define oncocytic thyroid lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xu
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel J Lubin
- Division of Head and Neck Pathology and Cytopathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University Hospital Midtown, 550 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Snjezana Dogan
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald A Ghossein
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kartik Viswanathan
- Division of Head and Neck Pathology and Cytopathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University Hospital Midtown, 550 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Decatur, GA, USA.
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30
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Pinheiro SL, Miranda Afonso P, Damásio IL, Simões-Pereira J, Nunes da Silva T, Leite V. Clinical significance of papillary thyroid carcinoma with solid/trabecular growth. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2023. [PMID: 36746771 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The clinical relevance of solid/trabecular (ST) growth in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of any amount of ST growth on tumour characteristics and patient outcomes. Furthermore, we evaluated whether ST growth per se affected patients' prognosis in the absence of aggressive features, namely vascular invasion. DESIGN We analysed 222 PTC patients followed up for more than 5 years in the Department of Endocrinology of the Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil from 2002 to 2020. All PTC cases with any percentage of ST growth were included and compared with PTC without ST growth (1:2). Carcinomas with high-grade features were excluded. RESULTS There were 74 PTC cases with ST growth and 148 without ST growth (median follow-up of 9.3 years). PTC-ST was associated with larger tumour size (p = 0.001) and increased frequency of vascular invasion (p < 0.001) compared with PTC. However, PTC-ST did not exhibit a higher incidence of extrathyroidal extension (p = 1.000) or lymph node metastasis (p = 0.433). Despite the significantly higher prevalence of distant metastasis in PTC-ST compared with PTC (p = 0.043), the significance is lost when the cases with vascular invasion were excluded (p = 0.347). The total radioiodine activity was higher in PTC-ST than in PTC (p = 0.008). Recurrence rates were similar between groups (p = 0.755). The 10-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates for PTC-ST were 94.6% and 98.6%, respectively, similar to the PCT without ST growth (p = 0.097 and p = 0.333, respectively). There was no evidence of an association between the presence of an ST component (p = 0.201) with the risk of death or recurrence, whereas the presence of distant metastasis significantly increased the risk of these events (hazard ratio 10.14, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The presence of ST growth was associated with several aggressive clinicopathological features. However, the risk of cancer recurrence and death for PTC-ST were similar to PTC. In the absence of vascular invasion, the clinical impact of ST growth alone is negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Lomelino Pinheiro
- Department of Endocrinology, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Miranda Afonso
- Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Inês Lemos Damásio
- Department of Endocrinology, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Simões-Pereira
- Department of Endocrinology, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal
- Nova Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tiago Nunes da Silva
- Nova Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Endocrinology and Molecular Pathobiology Research Unit, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Valeriano Leite
- Nova Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Endocrinology and Molecular Pathobiology Research Unit, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal
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31
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Advances in Thyroid Pathology: High Grade Follicular Cell-derived Thyroid Carcinoma and Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma. Adv Anat Pathol 2023; 30:3-10. [PMID: 36306188 DOI: 10.1097/pap.0000000000000380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the upcoming World Health Organization fifth edition classification of endocrine tumors, there were several major changes related to high grade follicular-derived thyroid carcinoma (HGFCTC) and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) based on emerging evidence about the diagnostic criteria clinical behavior, prognostic factors, and molecular signatures of these tumors. In this review, we aim to summarize the major evolutions of HGFCTC and ATC. HGFCTC is a nonanaplastic carcinoma with high grade features (High mitotic count, tumor necrosis). It is subdivided into poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma diagnosed using the Turin proposal and differentiated high grade thyroid carcinoma. The latter is defined by the presence of the cytoarchitectutal features of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (eg, papillae) but harbors elevated mitotic activity and/or tumor necrosis. Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma is predominantly RAS -driven and associated with RAI avidity and high propensity for distant metastasis, whereas differentiated high grade thyroid carcinoma is mostly BRAFV600E -driven. ATC may show a wide range of histologic features. Carcinoma of pure squamous phenotype is associated with a high frequency of BRAF V600E mutations and is now considered as a subtype of ATC. There is a stepwise molecular progression from well-differentiated carcinoma to HGFCTC to ATC manifested by 1) early and persistent driver alteration in the MAPK pathway, particularly BRAF V600E and RAS mutations, and 2) gain of secondary aggressive molecular signatures (such as TERT promoter and TP53 mutations) when tumors progress from well-differentiated to high grade to anaplastic carcinoma.
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32
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Qiu S. NRAS Gene Mutation in Differentiated High-Grade Thyroid Carcinoma With Multiphenotypic Metastatic Pattern: A Case Report. Cureus 2022; 14:e32177. [PMID: 36605054 PMCID: PMC9809503 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma (DHGTC) has a high mitotic count (≥5 mitoses per 2mm2) and/or tumor necrosis without anaplastic features. These tumors are rare, and the prevalence is not yet established among thyroid malignancies. BRAF andRAS mutations are the main driver mutations in these tumors. We present a case of a 43-year-old woman with DHGTC and NRASmutation, presenting with metastatic follicular component to the bone and papillary component to lymph nodes.
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33
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Saliba M, Alzumaili BA, Katabi N, Dogan S, Tuttle RM, Zoltan A, Pandit-Taskar N, Xu B, Ghossein RA. Clinicopathologic and Prognostic Features of Pediatric Follicular Cell-derived Thyroid Carcinomas: A Retrospective Study of 222 Patients. Am J Surg Pathol 2022; 46:1659-1669. [PMID: 36040037 PMCID: PMC9669120 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric thyroid carcinomas (TCs) are rare and mainly approached based on data extrapolated from adults. We retrospectively reviewed 222 pediatric TCs (patient age less than or equal to 21 y). Lymph node (LN) disease volume at presentation was considered high if the largest positive LN measured ≥1 cm and/or >5 LNs were positive. High-grade follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinoma (HGFCTC) were defined by the presence of marked mitotic count and/or tumor necrosis and considered as high-risk histology along with papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) diffuse sclerosing variant (DSV). Disease-free survival (DFS) was analyzed. LN involvement at presentation was significantly associated with male sex, larger tumor size, lymphatic invasion, positive surgical margins, and distant metastases at presentation. Five- and 10-year DFS was 84% and 77%, respectively. Only 1 patient with HGFCTC died of disease. Within PTC variants, PTC-DSV was associated with adverse histopathologic parameters and higher regional disease spread, unlike PTC tall cell variant which did not portend worse behavior. The presence of necrosis conferred worse DFS ( P =0.006), while increased mitotic activity did not. While the entire HGFCTC group did not correlate with outcome ( P =0.071), HGFCTC with necrosis imparted worse DFS ( P =0.006). When restricted to PTC-DSV and HGFCTC with necrosis, high-risk histologic classification emerged as an independent prognostic parameter of DFS ( P =0.020). The excellent prognosis of pediatric TCs differs from that of adult TCs showing similar histologic features. While neither increased mitotic activity nor PTC tall cell variant histology predict adverse outcome, PTC-DSV and tumors with necrosis constitute high-risk histologic variants with an increased risk of protracted disease.
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Swan KZ, Madsen SH, Bonnema SJ, Nielsen VE, Jespersen ML. Preoperative BRAF V600E mutation detection in thyroid carcinoma by immunocytochemistry. APMIS 2022; 130:627-636. [PMID: 35951496 PMCID: PMC9804421 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13267] [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: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The BRAFV600E (BRAF) mutation is present in 40-50% of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) and has been associated with more aggressive clinicopathological characteristics of PTC. The aim of this study was to evaluate different methods for preoperative identification of the BRAF mutation in PTC using cytological and histological specimens. Prospectively collected preoperative cytological clots from patients with suspected PTC were tested with BRAF immunocytochemistry (ICC) and the Cobas Test (PCR). In addition, histological specimens were tested with BRAF immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the Cobas Test. All nodules were histologically examined. Fifty-three patients were included in the study. Complete mutation testing was available in 32 patients. The main reason for exclusion was insufficient cell content in the cytological specimen. Twenty-seven nodules were histologically diagnosed as PTC, and 41% (n = 11) of PTCs were BRAF ICC positive. All non-PTC nodules were negative by BRAF ICC. In 26 nodules, all four BRAF tests were concordant, while discordant test results were found in six nodules. ICC was in accordance with the consensus BRAF status in five of these nodules, while BRAF status was undetermined in one nodule. BRAF ICC showed high concordance with the Cobas Test and a low rate of false negative stain. These results indicate that BRAF ICC may be a feasible method for preoperative detection of the BRAFV600E mutation in patients with PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Zøylner Swan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck SurgeryAarhus University HospitalAarhusDenmark
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Jung CK, Bychkov A, Kakudo K. Update from the 2022 World Health Organization Classification of Thyroid Tumors: A Standardized Diagnostic Approach. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2022; 37:703-718. [PMID: 36193717 PMCID: PMC9633223 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2022.1553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) histologic classification of thyroid neoplasms released in 2022 includes newly recognized tumor types, subtypes, and a grading system. Follicular cell-derived neoplasms are categorized into three families (classes): benign tumors, low-risk neoplasms, and malignant neoplasms. The terms "follicular nodular disease" and "differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma" are introduced to account for multifocal hyperplastic/neoplastic lesions and differentiated thyroid carcinomas with high-grade features, respectively. The term "Hürthle cells" is replaced with "oncocytic cells." Invasive encapsulated follicular and cribriform morular variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are now redefined as distinct tumor types, given their different genetic alterations and clinicopathologic characteristics from other PTC subtypes. The term "variant" to describe a subclass of tumor has been replaced with the term "subtype." Instead, the term "variant" is reserved to describe genetic alterations. A histologic grading system based on the mitotic count, necrosis, and/or the Ki67 index is used to identify high-grade follicular-cell derived carcinomas and medullary thyroid carcinomas. The 2022 WHO classification introduces the following new categories: "salivary gland-type carcinomas of the thyroid" and "thyroid tumors of uncertain histogenesis." This review summarizes the major changes in the 2022 WHO classification and their clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Kwon Jung
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Corresponding author: Chan Kwon Jung. Department of Hospital Pathology, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Korea Tel: +82-2-2258-1622, Fax: +82-2-2258-1627, E-mail:
| | - Andrey Bychkov
- Department of Pathology, Kameda Medical Center, Kamogawa, Japan
| | - Kennichi Kakudo
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Genome Center and Thyroid Disease Center, Izumi City General Hospital, Izumi, Japan
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Wong KS, Barletta JA. The new endocrine WHO classification: What does this mean for thyroid cytology? Cancer Cytopathol 2022; 130:658-662. [PMID: 35969231 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The new World Health Organization classification of endocrine tumors will include many updates on thyroid pathology. This summary highlights the changes that are most relevant for cytopathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine S Wong
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Justine A Barletta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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37
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Na HY, Yu HW, Kim W, Moon JH, Ahn CH, Choi SI, Kim YK, Choi JY, Park SY. Clinicopathological indicators for TERT promoter mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2022; 97:106-115. [PMID: 35343605 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter have been reported as a convincing prognostic factor in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). We aimed to investigate the frequency of TERT promoter mutations in patients with thyroid cancer and identify the clinicopathological factors associated with them in PTCs. DESIGN A total of 1086 consecutive cases of thyroid cancer composed of mostly PTCs were included in this study. TERT promoter and BRAF mutations were detected by pyrosequencing and their associations with clinicopathological features of tumour were analyzed. RESULTS TERT promoter mutations were observed in 1.9% of PTCs, 6.7% of follicular thyroid carcinomas, 8.3% of Hurthle cell carcinomas and 25.0% of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas and in a single case of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. In PTCs, aggressive clinicopathological features, higher stage and BRAF V600E mutation were all found to be associated with TERT promoter mutations. Distant metastasis and disease recurrence were more frequent in TERT promoter-mutated PTCs. In multivariate analysis, age ≥55 years, tall cell variant, mitoses ≥3/10 high-power fields, tumour necrosis, and gross extrathyroidal extension (ETE) were identified as independent factors associated with TERT promoter mutations in PTCs. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a relatively low frequency of TERT promoter mutations in Korean patients with PTC. Certain clinicopathological features including old age, tall cell variant, increased mitoses, tumour necrosis and gross ETE were found to be indicative of TERT promoter mutations in PTCs, suggesting that mutational analysis in a particular group of PTCs can be effective in regions with low mutation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Young Na
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeong Won Yu
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woochul Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Chang Ho Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Sang Il Choi
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Yeo Koon Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - June Young Choi
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - So Yeon Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Alexander EK, Doherty GM, Barletta JA. Management of thyroid nodules. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2022; 10:540-548. [PMID: 35752201 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-8587(22)00139-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the past 30 years, there has been a substantial rise in the detection of thyroid nodules. Largely asymptomatic, thyroid nodules are most often incidental findings that typically pose minimal risk. Data supporting these findings show a rapid rise in the incidental detection of thyroid nodules and cancer, but minimal effect on mortality rates, despite treatment. These data imply that historical approaches to thyroid nodule and cancer care might at times include unnecessary or excessive care. To address this issue, the past decade has witnessed an increasingly conservative approach to nodule management, seeking to individualise care and provide the most focused intervention that leads to favourable outcomes. Benign nodules can be safely monitored with minimal, or long-interval follow-up imaging. Molecular testing should be considered for cytologically indeterminate nodules because of its ability to improve preoperative cancer risk determination and reduce unnecessary surgery. The treatment of biopsy-proven malignant nodules has become increasingly nuanced, since recommendations for near-total thyroidectomy are no longer routine. Hemithyroidectomy is now commonly considered when operative intervention is favoured. Some patients with small volume, isolated cancerous nodules are safely managed non-operatively with active monitoring. In summary, modern management strategies for thyroid nodular disease seek to incorporate the growing amount of available diagnostic and prognostic data, inclusive of demographic, radiological, pathological and molecular findings. Once obtained, an individualised management plan can be effectively formulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik K Alexander
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Gerard M Doherty
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justine A Barletta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Xu B, Viswanathan K, Zhang L, Edmund LN, Ganly O, Tuttle RM, Lubin D, Ghossein RA. Redefining the Solid Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Multi-institutional Retrospective Study. Histopathology 2022; 81:171-182. [PMID: 35474588 DOI: 10.1111/his.14668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The definition of papillary thyroid carcinoma, solid variant (PTC-SV) varies from >50% to 100% of solid/trabecular/insular growth (STI). We aimed to identify prognostic factors and to establish an appropriate STI cutoff for PTC-SV in this multi-institutional study of 156 PTCs with STI. RESULTS Nodal metastases were seen in 18% and were associated with higher percentage of papillary and STI. When substratified by infiltration/encapsulation status, STI percentage did not impact risk of nodal metastasis. pN1 stage was seen in 51% of infiltrative tumors and 1% of encapsulated lesions. Overall, PTC with STI had an excellent prognosis. The 10-year DFS was 87% in the entire cohort, 94% in encapsulated lesions, and 76% in infiltrative tumors. STI percentage did not impact DFS. Fifty-four patients had noninvasive encapsulated lesions with 2% to 100% STI. None developed recurrence. Encapsulated lesions were enriched with RAS mutations (54%), whereas infiltrative lesions lacked RAS mutations (4%). BRAF V600E mutation was an infrequent event, being seen in 11% of the entire cohort. CONCLUSION In PTC with STI, the determining factor for nodal metastasis and DFS is the encapsulation/infiltration status rather than STI percentage. Encapsulated noninvasive tumors with STI follow an indolent course with a very low risk of nodal metastasis and recurrence. Overall, PTC with STI has an excellent prognosis with a 10-year DSS and DFS of 96% and 87% respectively. Therefore, the classification of SV-PTC as an aggressive PTC subtype may be reconsidered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, US
| | - Kartik Viswanathan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, US
| | - Lingxin Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pathobiology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Liz N Edmund
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, US
| | - Olivia Ganly
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, US
| | - R Michael Tuttle
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, US
| | - Daniel Lubin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, US
| | - Ronald A Ghossein
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, US
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40
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Sauer M, Barletta JA. Proceedings of the North American Society of Head and Neck Pathology, Los Angeles, CA, March 20, 2022: DICER1-Related Thyroid Tumors. Head Neck Pathol 2022; 16:190-199. [PMID: 35307774 PMCID: PMC9018915 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-022-01417-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
DICER1 syndrome is an autosomal dominant tumor predisposition syndrome caused by germline DICER1 mutations. In the thyroid, DICER1 syndrome is associated with early-onset multinodular goiter and thyroid carcinomas. Subsequent studies have shown that somatic DICER1 mutations, though rare, can occur in follicular-patterned thyroid tumors, such as follicular adenomas and follicular thyroid carcinomas, with a higher rate seen in pediatric follicular thyroid carcinomas and in follicular thyroid carcinomas with a macrofollicular architecture. Somatic DICER1 mutations have also been reported in pediatric papillary thyroid carcinomas lacking other alterations typically associated with thyroid tumorigenesis. Although thyroid carcinomas with underlying DICER1 mutations are usually indolent, recent studies have shown that pediatric poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma and thyroblastoma, both aggressive tumors, also harbor DICER1 mutations. This review will discuss mechanisms of DICER1 tumorigenesis and describe thyroid tumors associated with germline and somatic DICER1 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Sauer
- University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, USA
| | - Justine A Barletta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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41
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Baloch ZW, Asa SL, Barletta JA, Ghossein RA, Juhlin CC, Jung CK, LiVolsi VA, Papotti MG, Sobrinho-Simões M, Tallini G, Mete O. Overview of the 2022 WHO Classification of Thyroid Neoplasms. Endocr Pathol 2022; 33:27-63. [PMID: 35288841 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-022-09707-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 340] [Impact Index Per Article: 170.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes the changes in the 5th edition of the WHO Classification of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors that relate to the thyroid gland. The new classification has divided thyroid tumors into several new categories that allow for a clearer understanding of the cell of origin, pathologic features (cytopathology and histopathology), molecular classification, and biological behavior. Follicular cell-derived tumors constitute the majority of thyroid neoplasms. In this new classification, they are divided into benign, low-risk, and malignant neoplasms. Benign tumors include not only follicular adenoma but also variants of adenoma that are of diagnostic and clinical significance, including the ones with papillary architecture, which are often hyperfunctional and oncocytic adenomas. For the first time, there is a detailed account of the multifocal hyperplastic/neoplastic lesions that commonly occur in the clinical setting of multinodular goiter; the term thyroid follicular nodular disease (FND) achieved consensus as the best to describe this enigmatic entity. Low-risk follicular cell-derived neoplasms include non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP), thyroid tumors of uncertain malignant potential, and hyalinizing trabecular tumor. Malignant follicular cell-derived neoplasms are stratified based on molecular profiles and aggressiveness. Papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), with many morphological subtypes, represent the BRAF-like malignancies, whereas invasive encapsulated follicular variant PTC and follicular thyroid carcinoma represent the RAS-like malignancies. This new classification requires detailed subtyping of papillary microcarcinomas similar to their counterparts that exceed 1.0 cm and recommends not designating them as a subtype of PTC. The criteria of the tall cell subtype of PTC have been revisited. Cribriform-morular thyroid carcinoma is no longer classified as a subtype of PTC. The term "Hürthle cell" is discouraged, since it is a misnomer. Oncocytic carcinoma is discussed as a distinct entity with the clear recognition that it refers to oncocytic follicular cell-derived neoplasms (composed of > 75% oncocytic cells) that lack characteristic nuclear features of PTC (those would be oncocytic PTCs) and high-grade features (necrosis and ≥ 5 mitoses per 2 mm2). High-grade follicular cell-derived malignancies now include both the traditional poorly differentiated carcinoma as well as high-grade differentiated thyroid carcinomas, since both are characterized by increased mitotic activity and tumor necrosis without anaplastic histology and clinically behave in a similar manner. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma remains the most undifferentiated form; squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is now considered as a subtype of anaplastic carcinoma. Medullary thyroid carcinomas derived from thyroid C cells retain their distinct section, and there is a separate section for mixed tumors composed of both C cells and any follicular cell-derived malignancy. A grading system for medullary thyroid carcinomas is also introduced based on mitotic count, tumor necrosis, and Ki67 labeling index. A number of unusual neoplasms that occur in the thyroid have been placed into new sections based on their cytogenesis. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma and secretory carcinoma of the salivary gland type are now included in one section classified as "salivary gland-type carcinomas of the thyroid." Thymomas, thymic carcinomas and spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like elements are classified as "thymic tumors within the thyroid." There remain several tumors whose cell lineage is unclear, and they are listed as such; these include sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia and cribriform-morular thyroid carcinoma. Another important addition is thyroblastoma, an unusual embryonal tumor associated with DICER1 mutations. As in all the WHO books in the 5th edition, mesenchymal and stromal tumors, hematolymphoid neoplasms, germ cell tumors, and metastatic malignancies are discussed separately. The current classification also emphasizes the value of biomarkers that may aid diagnosis and provide prognostic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zubair W Baloch
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Sylvia L Asa
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Justine A Barletta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ronald A Ghossein
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - C Christofer Juhlin
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chan Kwon Jung
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Virginia A LiVolsi
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Manuel Sobrinho-Simões
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, IPATIMUP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ozgur Mete
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Bellevicine C, Ciarrocchi A, Friedlaender A, Malapelle U, de Biase D. Editorial: Molecular Characterization of Thyroid Lesions in the Era of "Next-Generation" Techniques. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:955185. [PMID: 35846329 PMCID: PMC9278310 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.955185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Bellevicine
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alex Friedlaender
- Oncology Department, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland; Oncology Service, Clinique Générale Beaulieu, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Umberto Malapelle
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Dario de Biase,
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