Risk factor analysis of distant metastases in patients with primary medullary thyroid cancer: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Medullary thyroid carcinoma has a high rate of recurrence and distant metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for distant metastasis in patients with primary medullary thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with primary medullary thyroid cancer between 2010 and 2015 were enrolled using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Patient demographics and tumor clinicopathological features were evaluated to identify potential risk factors for distant metastasis in patients with primary medullary thyroid cancer. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine independent risk factors for distant metastasis in patients with primary medullary thyroid carcinoma. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software (version 27.0). A two-tailed P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We collected 685 patients with primary medullary thyroid carcinoma, 40 of whom (5.84%) developed distant metastases. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that except marital status, age, sex, race, pT stage, N stage, multifocal and capsular infiltration were significantly correlated with distant metastasis of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients aged ≤ 18 years or > 55 years, Black race, higher pT stage and N stage were independent risk factors for distant metastasis of medullary thyroid carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that ≤ 18 years or > 55 years, black race, higher pT stage and N stage were significantly associated with distant metastasis of medullary thyroid cancer. This is important for clinicians to identify patients at high risk of distant metastasis in a timely manner.

The "Sandwich Therapy": A Microsurgical Integrated Approach for Presternal Keloid Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Keloid therapy remains a great challenge for plastic surgeons, especially when the defect cannot be closed primarily, necessitating tissue transplantation. Here, we introduce a new treatment modality, called the sandwich therapy, for presternal keloids; the sandwich therapy incorporates preradiotherapy, superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap transplantation, and postradiotherapy. METHODS: From December 2012 to October 2013, 12 patients received the "sandwich therapy." For the protocol, all patients went through 5 days of specific events: the precut procedure, preradiotherapy, resection and SCIP flap transplantation, donor site radiotherapy, and final presternal radiotherapy. RESULTS: All the flaps survived completely. No complication was observed during the perioperative period. With a mean follow-up of 12 months, only 1 case was reported with an incisional hypertrophic scar. In all patients, the main discomfort complaints were resolved postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: A low-tension or without-tension closure could be achieved with SCIP flap transplantation. The perioperative radiotherapy could further lower the risk of keloid recurrence. The sandwich therapy provides a new surgical approach to presternal keloid treatment.