Telomerase activity in the differential diagnosis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.
Surgery
; 122(6): 1137-40, 1997 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9426430
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Although fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is 90% sensitive in the detection of papillary carcinoma (PC) of the thyroid, its specificity has been reported as low as 52%. Consequently, patients who have an FNA suspicious for PC may undergo operation for a benign process. The ribonucleoprotein telomerase has been noted to be activated in a wide variety of carcinomas. We examined 30 PCs for telomerase activity to determine whether this would be a useful adjunct to FNA in the diagnosis of lesions suspicious for PC.METHODS:
Standard telomere repeat amplification protocol assays were performed on fresh frozen tissue samples from 30 PCs, 3 benign nodules, and 10 normal thyroids.RESULTS:
Telomerase activity was documented in 20 of 30 (67%) of the PCs, 0 of 3 benign nodules, and 0 of 10 normal thyroids. In all, 11 of the 20 PCs had FNA cytology that was nondiagnostic of PC, and 2 of the benign nodules had FNA that was suspicious for PC.CONCLUSIONS:
The telomerase assay appears useful in the distinction of benign from malignant thyroid lesions that have FNA suspicious for but not diagnostic of PC. On the basis of these findings, a prospective trial examining telomerase activity in FNAs suspicious for thyroid cancer has been initiated.
Buscar no Google
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide
/
Carcinoma Papilar
/
Telomerase
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Guideline
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Surgery
Ano de publicação:
1997
Tipo de documento:
Article