Papillary renal cell carcinoma with extensive spindle cell foci: mimicker of mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT Papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) is the second most common renal cell carcinoma (RCC), accounting for 10-15% of cases. Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC), on the other hand, accounts for only 1% of renal tumors and has a more favorable prognosis compared to PRCC. We report a 75-year-old female with a left upper pole solid renal mass displaying features of both papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) and mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSC). In this case, a shaggy luminal surface, multiple papillations, and psammoma bodies, absence of E-cadherin expression, and strong CD10 expression favored PRCC. Both immunohistochemistry and genomic analysis are critical to diagnose and differentiate tumors that may have overlapping features accurately.

To analyze the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with papillary thyroid cancer(PTC)by age grouping.Methods:The patients were divided into three groups according to age at diagnosis: old(≥60 years, 90 cases), middle(40-59 years, 359 cases)and young patients(<40 years, 203 cases). The clinical data of 652 patients with PTC who were admitted to the Department of Thyroid Surgery of Beijing Hospital from December 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into elderly group(≥60 years old, 90 cases), middle-aged group(40-59 years old, 359 cases)and young group(<40 years old, 203 cases). The clinical characteristics, ultrasound characteristics and invasion-related factors of patients in different groups were analyzed by statistical methods.Results:Compared with the young and middle-aged group, the elderly patients with PTC had a higher proportion of microcarcinoma(75.6%, 75.2%, 61.4%, χ2=13.054, P=0.001), less cervical lymph node metastasis(24.4%, 34.3%, 58.1%, χ2=41.650, P<0.001), and lower proportion of metastatic lymph nodes(0.08, 0.14, 0.24, χ2=40.618, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in tumor location and extra glandular invasion among the three age groups(35.56%, 36.2%, 38.4%, χ2=0.959, P=0.545). Conclusions:Compared with the young and middle-aged groups, PTC showed low invasiveness in the elderly population.In addition to surgical treatment, for elderly patients with low-risk clinical characteristics, it is worth performing a further study on whether careful observation or palliative treatment can be selected after comprehensive evaluation.

Analysis of influencing factors of clinical outcome after surgery and 131I treatment in patients with moderate-risk papillary thyroid cancer / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcome after surgery and first 131I treatment in patients with moderate-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and analyze the relevant factors that affect the therapeutic effect. Methods:From January 2018 to April 2019, 135 patients (48 males, 87 females; age (42.7±11.1) years) with moderate-risk PTC in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. According to the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, patients were divided into excellent response (ER) group, inderteriminate response (IDR) group, biochemical incomplete response (BIR) group and structural incomplete response (SIR) group, of which IDR, BIR, SIR were collectively referred to as the non-ER group. χ2 test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the general clinical features between the ER and non-ER groups, and then multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. The predicted value of pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin (ps-Tg) to ER was assessed by ROC curve analysis. Results:The treatment responses of 94 patients were ER, and those of 41 were non-ER. The differences in tumor size (0.80(0.50, 1.10) vs 1.00(0.55, 1.50) cm; U=1 491.50, P=0.036), the number of metastatic lymph nodes (3(2, 5) vs 4(2, 12); U=1 422.00, P=0.015), metastatic lymph node size (0.50(0.30, 0.65) vs 0.50(0.30, 1.45) cm; U=1 396.50, P=0.013), metastatic lymph node involvement rate (50%(30%, 70%) vs 60%(50%, 85%); U=1 441.50, P=0.024), metastatic lymph node location (central/lateral: 76/18 vs 24/17; χ2=7.40, P=0.007) and ps-Tg level (2.1(0.8, 5.3) vs 14.0(3.2, 35.2) μg/L; U=680.00, P<0.001) were statistically significant between the ER and non-ER groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ps-Tg (odds ratio ( OR)=1.200, 95% CI: 1.107-1.302, P<0.001) was an independent factor influencing ER. The cut-off value of ps-Tg for predicting ER was 7.38 μg/L, with the sensitivity and specificity of 68.3%(28/41) and 87.2%(82/94) respectively. Conclusion:Moderate-risk PTC patients with smaller tumor size, fewer metastatic lymph nodes, lower metastatic lymph node involvement rate, metastatic lymph nodes in central area, smaller metastatic lymph node size, and ps-Tg<7.38 μg/L have better therapeutic effect after initial 131I treatment.

Application value of psTg combined with lymph node ratio in prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer patients treated with 131I / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To explore the value of pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin (psTg) before 131I treatment combined with lymph node ratio (LNR) in predicting 131I treatment response in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods:From January 2016 to December 2018, 178 PTC patients (47 males, 131 females; age (43.2±12.6) years) treated with 131I in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. According to 131I treatment response, patients were divided into excellent response (ER) group and non-ER group. The clinical data of the two groups were compared by χ2 test, independent-sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test. The cut-off values and AUCs of psTg and LNR to predict treatment response were calculated according to the ROC curve. Factors affecting 131I treatment response were analyzed by logistic multivariate regression analysis. Results:There were 118 patients (66.3%, 118/178) in ER group and 60 patients (33.7%, 60/178) in non-ER group, and there were significant differences in N stage ( χ2=11.15, P=0.004), 131I treatment dose ( χ2=12.65, P<0.001), American Thyroid Association (ATA) initial risk stratification ( χ2=15.25, P<0.001), number of metastatic lymph nodes ( χ2=22.63, P<0.001), LNR ( U=1 506.00, P<0.001) and psTg ( U=919.00, P<0.001) between the two groups. The cut-off values of psTg and LNR predicting ER were 3.97 μg/L and 0.29, with the AUC of 0.870 and 0.787 respectively. PsTg (odds ratio ( OR)=10.88, 95% CI: 4.67-25.36, P<0.001) and LNR ( OR=5.30, 95% CI: 1.85-15.23, P=0.002) were independent factors to predict 131I treatment response in PTC patients. When psTg≥3.97 μg/L, LNR ( OR=9.40, 95% CI: 2.06-42.92, P=0.004) was an independent factor affecting 131I treatment response in PTC patients. Conclusions:PsTg and LNR are independent factors affecting 131I treatment response in PTC patients. When psTg≥3.97 μg/L, LNR can be used as a supplementary factor to predict 131I treatment response. The combination of psTg and LNR can better predict 131I treatment response in PTC patients.

Predictive value of cellular immune status before initial 131I treatment for treatment response in young and middle-aged patients with papillary thyroid cancer / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To investigate the value of cellular immune status before initial 131I treatment for predicting treatment response in young and middle-aged patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods:From March 2018 to April 2019, 150 young and middle-aged patients with PTC (46 males, 104 females, age (40.0±9.8) years) who underwent total thyroidectomy and neck lymph node dissection in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were enrolled retrospectively. All patients underwent radioablation 1-2 months after operation, and the serum lymphocyte subsets (CD3 + , CD4 + , CD8 + , CD4/CD8) as well as natural killer (NK) cells were detected 1 d before the initial 131I treatment. Patients were divided into excellent response (ER) group and non-ER group according to the response of 6-12 months after 131I treatment. Clinicopathological characteristics, preablative stimulated thyroglobulin (psTg), initial 131I dose and lymphocyte subsets that might affect the response to 131I treatment were analyzed (independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, multiple logistic regression analysis). ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of significant factors for non-ER. Results:Of 150 patients, 84 cases were in ER group (56.00%), and 66 cases (44.00%) were in non-ER group. Age ( z=-2.86, P=0.004), M stage ( χ2=13.64, P<0.001), psTg ( z=-8.94, P<0.001), initial 131I dose ( z=-7.60, P<0.001), CD4 + ( t=2.50, P=0.014), CD4/CD8 ( z=-2.22, P=0.027) of the two groups were significantly different. Multivariate analysis showed that psTg (odds ratio ( OR)=1.27, 95% CI: 1.16-1.40, P<0.001) and CD4/CD8 ( OR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.15-0.99, P=0.048) were independent factors for predicting 131I treatment response. The cut-off values of psTg and CD4/CD8 for predicting non-ER were 6.78 μg/L and 1.67, respectively. Conclusions:Cellular immune status before initial 131I treatment may predict treatment response in young and middle-aged patients with PTC. It indicates non-ER response when Tg is higher than 6.78 μg/L and CD4/CD8 is lower than 1.67.

Solid papillary carcinoma of the breast

Solid Papillary Carcinoma (SPC) of the breast is a rare tumor with an incidence of less than 1%, mainly affecting elderly females. It is morphologically characterized by well-defined nodules with low-grade nuclear features associated with fibrovascular cores and shows neuroendocrine differentiation. SPC can be in-situ or invasive but has a favorable prognosis. It is a morphological mimicker of some pre-malignant conditions leading to its frequent misdiagnosis. An appropriate immunohistochemical (IHC) panel workup helps in distinguishing this tumor from its various morphological mimics. In this report, we present one such case of SPC with a small focus of invasion, reviewing the literature.

Fine-needle aspiration washout fluid for measuring thyroglobulin and fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a Meta-analysis / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To systematically evaluate the diagnostic value of fine-needle aspiration washout fluid for measuring thyroglobulin (FNA-Tg) and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.Methods:Chinese Journal Full-Text Database, Wanfang Database, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database and other databases from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrieved. And then diagnostic trials from the databases regarding the comparison of FNA-Tg and FNAC in the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma with neck lymph node metastasis based on the histopathological diagnosis as the gold standard were included. The literatures were screened out according to the diagnostic test inclusion criteria recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration Screening and Diagnostic Test Methods Group; and then the quality of the included literatures was evaluated and feature information was extracted. Review Manager 5.0 and MetaDiSc software were used to conduct Meta analysis, and a summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve of FNAC and FNA-Tg in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis was drawn to calculate the area under the curve and to judge the diagnostic efficacy.Results:A total of 19 articles and 2 792 cervical lymph nodes were finally included. The sensitivity of FNAC and FNA-Tg in the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma was 0.80 (95% CI 0.78-0.81) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.91-0.93), respectively; the specificity was 0.93 (95% CI 0.92-0.95) and 0.91(95% CI 0.89-0.93); the diagnostic odds ratio was 51.55 (95% CI 38.61-68.81) and 110.03 (95% CI 82.18-147.32), respectively; the areas under the SROC curve was 0.900 and 0.968, respectively. Conclusions:The accuracy of FNA-Tg in the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma is higher than that of FNAC. FNA-Tg can be used as an important diagnosis supplement to FNAC and it can be widely used in clinical practice.

Value of intraoperative frozen pathological examination in evaluating lymph node involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To investigate the predictive effect of intraoperative selective lymph node frozen pathological examination on central lymph node metastasis in thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC).Methods:A total of 721 PTC patients who underwent primary radical thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection in Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from January 2015 to June 2019 were selected. All patients underwent intraoperative selective lymph node frozen pathological examination. According to the paraffin section pathological diagnosis results, there were 449 cases of thyroid micropapillary carcinoma (PTMC) and 272 cases of non-PTMC. The association of the frozen pathological examination results of intraoperative prelaryngeal lymph nodes, anterior tracheal lymph nodes and paratracheal lymph nodes with the pathological results of postoperative central lymph nodes was analyzed in all patients and those with central lymph node positive confirmed by postoperative pathological examination in different groups stratified by tumor long diameter, including 192 cases in PTMC group, 142 cases in long diameter >1 cm and <2 cm group and 55 cases in long diameter ≥2 cm group; postoperative paraffin pathological results were treated as the gold standard. The sensitivity and false negative rate of intraoperative frozen pathological examination in the diagnosis of central lymph node metastasis were calculated.Results:There were 42.8% (192/449) and 72.4% (197/272) of PTMC patients and non-PTMC patients with central lymph node metastasis, respectively. Among 192 PTMC patients with central lymph node metastasis, the sensitivity of prelaryngeal lymph nodes, paratracheal lymph nodes and anterior tracheal lymph nodes was 28.1% (47/167), 61.4% (70/114) and 53.8% (91/169), respectively based on the intraoperative frozen pathological diagnosis. The sensitivity and false negative rate of intraoperative frozen pathological examination in the diagnosis of central lymph node metastasis was 72.4% (139/192) and 27.6% (53/192), respectively. Among 197 non-PTMC patients with central lymph node metastasis, the sensitivity of prelaryngeal lymph nodes, paratracheal lymph nodes and anterior tracheal lymph nodes was 49.7% (82/165), 51.6% (96/186) and 64.7% (112/173), respectively based on the intraoperative frozen pathological results. The sensitivity and false negative rate of intraoperative frozen pathological examination in the diagnosis of central lymph node metastasis was 84.8% (167/197) and 15.2% (30/197), respectively. The sensitivity of intraoperative lymph node frozen pathological results in the diagnosis of central lymph node metastasis for patients with thyroid capsule involvement in PTMC group, long diameter > 1 cm and < 2 cm group and long diameter ≥ 2 cm group was 81.7% (116/142), 81.7% (103/126) and 92.2% (47/51), respectively.Conclusions:Cervical central lymph node metastasis of PTC is common. Intraoperative frozen pathological examination of prelaryngeal lymph nodes, anterior tracheal lymph nodes and paratracheal lymph nodes can effectively predict whether the central lymph nodes are involved, and this hint is more obvious when the tumor long diameter is more than 2 cm and the thyroid capsule is involved.

Clinical significance of telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutation in radioactive iodine refractory papillary thyroid cancer / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To evaluate the influence of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation on radioiodine uptake status of radioactive iodine refractory papillary thyroid cancer (RAIR-PTC) and radioiodine therapy response by analyzing the mutation frequency of TERT promoter in RAIR-PTC.Methods:A total of 37 patients with RAIR-PTC (15 males, 22 females, age (49.8±16.1) years) and 40 PTC patients with effective radioiodine therapy (13 males, 27 females, age (39.8±10.9) years) between January 2005 and June 2020 in JiangYuan Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. TERT promoter mutation and B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) V600E mutation of patients were observed. The differences across genotype patterns on radioiodine uptake status and therapy response were compared. The Fisher′s exact test and independent-sample t test were used for data analysis. Results:The incidence rate of TERT promoter mutation in the RAIR-PTC group was 40.54% (15/37, all C228T), which was significantly higher than that in the effective radioiodine therapy group (0, 0/40; P<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found for the mutation rate of BRAF V600E between the RAIR group (64.86%, 24/37) and the effective radioiodine therapy group (72.50%, 29/40; P=0.858). Patients with TERT promoter mutation were older ( t=3.76, P=0.001) and the non-intake rate of radioiodine in distant metastases of those patients was higher ( P=0.037). Furthermore, 2/3 of patients who received targeted therapies and 3/4 deaths had TERT promoter mutation. Among 35 patients with negative thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), 11/14 of patients with TERT mutation had a rising stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg), while the percentage of the non-TERT mutation group was 57.1% (12/21; P=0.357). Conclusion:The TERT promoter mutation rate is significantly increased in RAIR-PTC patients and can serve as a prognostic predictor in RAIR.

Correlation between clinicopathologic features and BRAF V600E gene mutation abundance in papillary thyroid carcinoma / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between cervical lymph node metastasis,extra thyroidal extension and other clinicopathologic features and BRAF V600E gene mutation abundance in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods:The clinicopathologic data of 123 PTC patients admitted from Jan 2018 to Oct 2020 in Peking University People's Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. All the PTC cases were examined by next generation sequencing technology. BRAF V600E gene mutation abundances were detected and analyzed with different clinicopathologic features, and differences between groups were compared. Results:There were statistical differences compared to control group in BRAF V600E gene mutation abundances in lymph node metastasized group and extra thyroidal extended group(all P<0.05). BRAF V600E gene mutation abundances were positively related with severity of extra thyroidal extension( P<0.05). Conclusion:BRAF V600E gene mutation abundance was related with cervical lymph node metastasis and extra thyroidal extension in PTC patients.

Expression of estrogen receptor alpha protein and BRAF V600E protein in thyroid papillary carcinoma and its clinical significance / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) protein and BRAF V600E protein in thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC) and their relationship with clinical factors of PTC. Methods:The expression of ERα and BRAF V600E protein in 1 105 PTC patients was detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationship among ERα, BRAF V600E protein and clinical factors were analyzed. Results:Positive ERα protein was correlated with maleness (χ 2= 6.087, P=0.001), age< 45 years old (χ 2=5.197, P=0.023) and multifocal tumors (χ 2=4.446, P=0.035). Positive BRAF V600E protein was correlated with positive ERα protein (χ 2=6.209, P=0.013), Hashimoto thyroiditis (χ 2=29.388, P<0.001), no lateral lymph node metastasis (χ 2=6.849, P=0.009) and multifocal tumors (χ 2=9.596, P=0.035). Conclusions:ERα expression is more common in male patients, patients younger than 45 years of age, those with multifocal tumors and positive BRAF V600E protein. BRAF V600E protein may inhibit Hashimoto's thyroiditis, tumor growth and the occurrence of lateral lymph node metastasis, and promote the occurrence of multiple focal tumors.

Clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma in obese children and adolescents / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in obese children and adolescents.Methods:From Jan 2012 to Dec 2015, 59 school-age PTC children and adolescents admitted to Tianjin First Central Hospital and Tianjin Medical University Tumor Hospital were recruited for retrospective case-control study. By using the chi-square test, the clinicopathological characteristics of obese children and adolescents with papillary thyroid carcinoma were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the factors significantly related to the recurrence.Results:Compared with patients of normal weight, overweight and obese patients were older (χ 2=4.250, P=0.039), and had multifocal tumors (χ 2=5.281, P=0.022) and higher recurernce rate (χ 2=4.861, P=0.027) .Compared with normal-weight children and adolescents with PTC, overweight or obese children and adolescents with PTC significantly had higher recurrence rate (χ 2=4.466, P=0.035); In addition, tumor diameters >1 cm (χ 2=5.453, P=0.020) and patients with multifocal tumors (χ 2=7.218, P=0.007) were also more likely to suffer recurrence. Conclusion:Among children and adolescent patients with papillary thyroid cancer, obesity is significantly related to multifocal tumors and higher recurernce rate.

Comparison of the clinicopathological characteristics between mixed medullary and papillary thyroid carcinoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma coexistent with papillary thyroid carcinoma / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the difference of clinicopathological characteristics between mixed medullary and papillary carcinoma of thyroid and medullary carcinoma coexistent with papillary carcinoma.Method:The clinicopathological data of 3 MMPTC cases and 9 MTC-PTC cases treated at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital during the past ten years were retrospectively analyzed. The differences in clinical characteristics, pathological characteristics, immunohistochemistry results, treatment and prognosis of the two groups were compared.Results:In the MMPTC group, the median onset-age was 59 years old. 3 patients were all medullary carcinoma colliding with micropapillary carcinoma. The immunohistochemistry results showed that medullary carcinoma and papillary carcinoma showed their distinctive immunohistochemical characteristics. The lymph node metastasis rate was 66.7% (2/3). In MTC-PTC group, the median onset-age was 55; 8 out of 9 patients had an increased preoperative calcitonin level. Medullary carcinoma and papillary carcinoma showed their distinctive immunohistochemical characteristics. Four out of the 9 cases had lymph node metastasis.Conclusion:Compared with MTC-PTC, MMPTC is more common in middle-aged and elder patients, with higher lymph node metastasis rate. The pathogenesis of MTC-PTC is similar to papillary thyroid carcinoma, and the treatment should be individualized. The prognosis of these two groups of patients is fair.

A feasibility study of predictive values of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis from cN1-stage papillary thyroid carcinoma based on dual-energy CT nomogram / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of predicting lateral cervical lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) based on the nomogram constructed by dual-energy CT data.Methods:In total 417 patients with PTC confirmed by pathology in Tianjin First Central Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed as a training group. Internal validation was conducted, including 139 patients in the LLNM group and 278 patients in the non-LLNM group. A total of 169 PTC patients from January 2019 to June 2020 were included as an external validation group, including 58 patients in the LLNM group and 111 patients in the non-LLNM group. The morphological characteristics of the primary thyroid lesions on dual-energy CT iodine maps were analyzed, including tumor location, maximum diameter, calcification, and extrathyroidal extension (ETE). Iodine concentration (IC) of the PTC parenchyma and the internal carotid artery on the same level in the arterial and venous phases were measured, and normalized iodine concentration (NIC) was calculated. The independent risk factors for LLNM were obtained by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Base on the results, a prediction model was constructed and expressed in the form of a nomogram. The internal and external validation of the model was carried out using ROC curve.Results:Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that the lesion location in the upper polar of the thyroid, the presence of ETE, IC in arterial phase>2.9 mg/ml, IC in the venous phase>3.2 mg/ml, and NIC in the arterial phase>0.21 were independent risk factors for LLNM prediction. The nomogram based on the above factors was constructed with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.895 (95%CI 0.862-0.923). With a cut-off value of 0.79, the sensitivity and specificity were 86.3% and 75.2%, respectively. As for the external validation group, the AUC of the model was 0.887 (95%CI 0.830-0.931), with the sensitivity of 82.8%, and the specificity of 81.1%.Conclusion:The application values of the nomogram model based on dual-energy CT data in preoperative evaluation of the possibility of LLNM of PTC patients has been verified. The model constructed in this study might be helpful with the individualized treatment in a certain degree.

Radiomics based on arterial-venous mixed images derived from dual-energy CT data in diagnosis of lymph nodes metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of radiomics based on arterial-venous mixed images derived from dual-energy CT (DECT) data in diagnosis of cervical lymph nodes (LNs) metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).Methods:From June 2017 to December 2018, eighty-four patients with preoperatively DECT scanning and pathologically confirmed PTC (129 non-metastatic LNs and 97 metastatic LNs) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included in this study. The clinical and imaging data of all patients were retrospectively analyzed. The training cohort consisted of 62 PTC cases with 156 LNs (91 non-metastatic LNs and 65 metastatic LNs). An independent validation cohort consisted of 22 PTC patients with 70 LNs (38 non-metastatic LNs and 32 metastatic LNs). Semi-automatic LNs segmentation was conducted on arterial-venous mixed images derived from DECT using Syngo.via Frontier Radiomics software. Totally 1 226 radiomics features were extracted from arterial-venous mixed images for each LN. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was applied for radiomics features selection and signature building. The logistic regression modeling was used to construct diagnostic models based on the CT image features of LNs (model 1), the radiomics signature (model 2) and the combination of the CT image features and radiomics signature (model 3). An intuitive nomogram was plotted for model 3. The ROC curve analyses and area under the curve (AUC) were performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the three models, with the performances compared using the Delong test.Results:Model 1 was developed with LNs shape, degree of enhancement, pattern of enhancement, calcification and extra nodal extension. Three arterial phase radiomics features were selected and used to establish radiomics signature using LASSO regression (model 2). Model 3 was developed with LNs size, shape, degree of enhancement and radiomics signature. In both the training and validation cohort, model 3 showed the best diagnostic performance (AUC=0.965, 0.933), followed by model 2 (AUC=0.947, 0.910), and both these two models significantly outperformed model 1 (AUC=0.850, 0.846) (training cohort, Z=4.066 and 3.758, P both<0.001; validation cohort, Z=2.871 and 1.998, P=0.017 and 0.042) respectively. Conclusion:The radiomics model based on arterial-venous mixed images derived from DECT data can realize effective diagnosis of LNs metastasis in patients with PTC; and the combination model of radiomics signature with CT image features can further improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Comparative study on sonographic features of clinical lymph node negative papillary thyroid microcarcinoma and non-microcarcinoma / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To compare the sonographic features of clinical lymph node negative (cN 0) stage papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and non-PTMC, and improve the early diagnosis of cN 0 stage PTMC. Methods:The clinical data of 223 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma from January 2015 to December 2017 in Dalian Municipal Center Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative ultrasonography of all patients showed lymph node negative, and all patients received radical thyroidectomy. Among them, PTMC was in 143 cases (tumor diameter ≤1 cm, PTMC group), and non-PTMC in 80 cases (tumor diameter >1 cm, non-PTMC group). The sonographic features, including echogenicity, boundary, morphology, calcification, posterior echo attenuation, blood flow and ratio of length and width were compared between 2 groups.Results:There were no significant differences in the incidences of unclear boundary, irregular shape and posterior echo attenuation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidences of extremely low or low echo and ratio of length and width ≥1 in PTMC group were significantly higher than those in non-PTMC group: 88.1% (126/143) vs. 67.5% (54/80) and 37.8% (54/143) vs. 7.5% (6/80), the incidences rate of calcification and peripheral or internal blood flow were significantly lower than those in the non-PTMC group: 55.9% (80/143) vs. 72.5% (58/80) and 49.0% (70/143) vs. 77.5% (62/80), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05). Conclusions:The ultrasonographic features of cN 0 stage PTMC and non-PTMC are different.

Follicular Lesions with Papillary Nuclear Characteristics: Differences in Chromatin Detected by Computerized Image Analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: Follicular lesions of the thyroid with papillary carcinoma nuclear characteristics are classified as infiltrative follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma-FVPTC (IFVPTC), encapsulated/well demarcated FVPTC with tumour capsular invasion (IEFVPTC), and the newly described category "non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features" (NIFTP) formerly known as non-invasive encapsulated FVPTC. This study evaluated whether computerized image analysis can detect nuclear differences between these three tumour subtypes. Materials and methods: Slides with histological material from 15 cases of NIFTP and 33 cases of FVPTC subtypes (22 IEFVPTC, and 11 IFVPTC) were analyzed using the Image J image processing program. Tumour cells were compared for both nuclear morphometry and chromatin textural characteristics. Results: Nuclei from NIFTP and IFVPTC tumours differed in terms of chromatin textural features (grey intensity): mean (92.37 ± 21.01 vs 72.99 ± 14.73, p = 0.02), median (84.93 ± 21.17 vs 65.18 ± 17.08, p = 0.02), standard deviation (47.77 ± 9.55 vs 39.39 ± 7.18; p = 0.02), and coefficient of variation of standard deviation (19.96 ± 4.01 vs 24.75 ± 3.31; p = 0.003). No differences were found in relation to IEFVPTC. Conclusion: Computerized image analysis revealed differences in nuclear texture between NIFTP and IFVPTC, but not for IEFVPTC.

Neck recurrence in papillary thyroid carcinoma / Recidiva cervical no carcinoma papilífero da tireoide

ABSTRACT Introduction: papillary thyroid carcinoma is a tumor with good prognosis. However, some patients treated present neck recurrence. Objective: to evaluate the risk factors for neck recurrence. Methods: a retrospective study enrolled 89 patients (68 women and 21 men) diagnosed with papillary carcinoma who underwent total thyroidectomy. In 21 patients, neck dissection was performed and 62 patients underwent radioiodinetherapy. Twelve patients relapsed with metastasis in this period with an average of 3.6 years. Results: out of 89 patients, 76.4% were female. Relapse occurred in nine (13.23%) women and three (14.28%) men. The average age of the patients was 44 years in the control group and in patients with relapsed. Eighteen patients (23.37%) in the control group and eight (64.28%) who relapsed had positive lymph nodes at initial diagnosis. The tumor size was significantly larger in the group of patients with cervical recurrence (3.3cm vs. 1.6cm - p=0.008, Student t test), whereas the presence of metastatic lymph nodes at the moment of the first operation was also significant (p=0.004 -Fisher exact test). The tumor size was an independent risk factor for recurrence at the multivariate anaylsis (OR=2.4, IC95%:1.3-4.6 - p=0,007, logistic regression). Conclusion: there is an increase in the risk of lymph node recurrence during the follow up of 2.4 folds for each increase of 1cm in the longer nodule diameter.

RESUMO Introdução: o carcinoma papilífero da tireoide é um tumor com bom prognóstico. Entretanto, alguns pacientes tratados evoluem com recidiva cervical. Objetivo: avaliar os fatores de risco para recidiva cervical. Métodos: um estudo retrospectivo arrolou 89 pacientes (68 mulheres e 21 homens) diagnosticados com carcinoma papilífero, submetidos à tireoidectomia total. Em 21 pacientes, realizou esvaziamento cervical e, em 62, radioiodoterapia. Doze pacientes apresentaram recorrência linfonodal no período, com media de 3,6 anos. Resultados: dos 89 pacientes, 76,4% eram mulheres. A falha ocorreu em nove mulheres (13,23%) e três homens (14,28%). A média etária tanto dos pacientes recidivados como do grupo-controle foi de 44 anos. Dezoito pacientes (23,37%) no grupo-controle e oito (64,28%) dentre os que recidivaram tinham linfonodos positivos ao diagnóstico inicial. O tamanho tumoral foi significativamente maior no grupo de pacientes que apresentaram recidiva cervical (3,3 cm vs. 1,6cm - p=0,008, teste t de Student), o mesmo foi observado para a presença de linfonodos metastáticos quando da primeira cirurgia (p=0,004 - teste exato de Fisher). À análise multivariada, o tamanho tumoral foi fator de risco independente de recidiva (OR=2,4, IC95%:1,3-4,6 - p=0,007, regressão logística. Conclusão: para cada aumento de 1cm no maior diâmetro da lesão, há um aumento de 2,4 vezes no risco de recidiva linfonodal ao longo do acompanhamento.

Perfil epidemiológico de pacientes com diagnóstico de carcinoma diferenciado de tireoide em seguimento em ambulatório de endocrinologia / Epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid carcinoma followed in an outpatient clinic of endocrinology

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil epidemiológico de pacientes com diagnóstico de carcinoma diferenciado de tireoide. Métodos: Estudo analítico descritivo, realizado por meio da análise e da coleta de dados de 34 prontuários de pacientes em seguimento em um ambulatório de endocrinologia de um hospital público em São Paulo. Foram incluídos todos os pacientes em acompanhamento no ambulatório com diagnóstico de tumores diferenciados; foram excluídos os menores de 18 anos e/ou com diagnóstico de outras neoplasias de tireoide (que não tumores diferenciados). Resultados: A idade dos pacientes variou de 25 a 84 anos ao diagnóstico, com média de 51 anos, tendo sido representados por 32 mulheres (94,11%) e 2 homens (5,88%). A maioria dos tumores (41,17%) possuía tamanho entre 1 e 2cm. A maior parte dos pacientes tinha baixo risco de recorrência, e todos foram tratados cirurgicamente. Conclusão: O tumor diferenciado mais frequente é o subtipo papilífero. Sua prevalência se dá em mulheres, com média de idade ao diagnóstico de 51 anos. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological profile of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Methods: Th is i s a d escriptive, analytical study performed through the analysis and collection of data from 34 medical records of patients being followed in an endocrinology clinic of a public hospital in the city of São Paulo. All patients being followed at the outpatients' department with a diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma were included, and those under 18 and/or with diagnosis of other cancer of the thyroid (other than differentiated tumors) were excluded. Results: the patients' ages ranged from 25 to 84 years at diagnosis, an average of 51 years represented by 32 women (94.11%) and 2 men (5.88%). Most tumors (41.17 %) were between 1 and 2cm. Most patients showed low risk of recurrence, and all were surgically treated. Conclusion: The most frequent differentiated tumor was the papillary one. Its prevalence was on women, with an average age at diagnosis of 51 years. There were only two patients with recurrent disease, and one with metastasis to the lung that died. (AU)

Multifocal papillary carcinoma of the thyroid with heterotopic ossification and extramedullary hematopoiesis associated with a lipomatous follicular nodule

Heterotopic ossification has been described in papillary thyroid carcinoma in association with high incidence of extrathyroidal invasion, multifocality, lymph node metastasis, and older age. Nevertheless, it has not been described as a specific subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma, because of its rarity. We described the case of an 80-year-old female patient, with familial history of papillary thyroid carcinoma. In the annual screening examination, she was diagnosed with thyroid nodules. The patient was submitted to a thyroidectomy because the fine needle aspiration cytology was positive for malignancy according to the Bethesda classification. The surgical specimen analyses showed a multifocal papillary carcinoma with one major lesion in the left lobe measuring 0.9 cm, and two small lesions (0.4 cm and 0.2 cm) in the right lobe. Only the biggest lesion in the right lobe had the osteoid matrix with rare osteoclasts and fat metaplasia with progenitor cells. There was perineural invasion, but vascular invasion was not identified. The margins were free and there was no extrathyroidal extension. In the left lobe there was an oncocytic nodule and a lipomatous follicular nodule. In recent years there has been a significant increase in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, mainly because of the finding of microcarcinomas as a result of many requests for cervical image exams. Future studies may define (i) whether papillary thyroid carcinoma with heterotopic ossification is a true histological variant; (ii) the causes of that alteration; and (iii) eventual follow-up implications.