Management of aggressive variants of papillary thyroid cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this study was to provide a timely and relevant review of the latest findings and explore appropriate management of aggressive variants of papillary thyroid cancer (AVPTC). RECENT FINDINGS: In general, AVPTCs tend to exhibit more invasive characteristics, a lack of responsiveness to radioiodine, increased occurrences of regional spreading, distant metastases and higher mortality rates. Meanwhile, each variant showcases unique clinical and molecular profiles. SUMMARY: Given the elevated risk of recurrence postsurgery, a more aggressive strategy may be necessary when suspected preoperatively, particularly for those presenting with invasive features. Decision on the extent of surgical treatment and adjuvant therapy is individualized and made by experienced clinicians and multidisciplinary teams based on the clinical presentation, presence of aggressive features and molecular profile. Future studies on development of personalized medicine and molecular target therapy may offer tailored treatment options.

Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma case series-Management strategy and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, pathology and management strategies in a modern cohort of patients with thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series following PROCESS Guidelines. SETTING: Comprehensive cancer centre. METHODS: Data recorded included: gender, age at diagnosis, clinical presentation, thyroid function, diagnostic investigations, cytological results, final histology, staging and follow up status. The risk of malignancy in cytological analysis was stratified according to the Royal College of Pathologists classification in United Kingdom. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included. The majority of patients (66.7%) presented with an isolated thyroglossal duct cyst. Only 4 patients had preoperative cytological suspicion of carcinoma (sensitivity: 33.3%). At the time of presentation all patients were euthyroid. Following diagnosis of malignancy, a total thyroidectomy was performed in all patients, with the exception of 2, who had a thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma of less than 10mm. Among the 10 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, 7 (70%) patients had proven carcinoma in the thyroid gland, 3 with deposits of less than 10mm. The average size of the thyroid cancer deposits was 7.2mm (1-20mm). With a mean follow-up of is 44 months (5-120), all patients were alive and free of recurrence at the end of the study period. CONCLUSION: Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma is a rare condition and its management should be discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting. As with differentiated thyroid cancer originating in the thyroid gland, it bears extraordinary survival rates. Accordingly, the management of these cancers has shifted towards a more conservative approach although its peculiarities must be taken into account: ease of extracystic invasion and possible different lymph node invasion.

Combined growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor I in addition to glutamine-supplemented TPN results in net protein anabolism in critical illness.

Protein loss leading to reduced lean body mass is recognized to contribute to the high levels of morbidity and mortality seen in critical illness. This prospective, randomized, controlled study compared the effects of conventional parenteral nutrition (TPN), glutamine-supplemented (0.4 g.kg-1.day-1) TPN (TPNGLN), and TPNGLN with combined growth hormone (GH, 0.2 IU.kg-1.day-1) and IGF-I (160 microg.kg-1.day-1) on protein metabolism in critical illness. Nineteen mechanically ventilated subjects [64 +/- 3 yr, body mass index (BMI) 23.8 +/- 1.3, kg/m2] were initially studied in the fasting state (study 1) and subsequently after 3 days of nutritional with/without hormonal support (study 2). All had recently been admitted to the ICU and the majority were postemergency abdominal surgery (APACHE II 17.5 +/- 1.0). Protein metabolism was assessed using a primed constant infusion of [1-13C]leucine. Conventional TPN contained mixed amino acids, Intralipid, and 50% dextrose. TPNGLN, unlike TPN alone, resulted in an increase in plasma glutamine concentration ( approximately 50%, P < 0.05). Both TPN and TPNGLN decreased the rate of protein breakdown (TPN 15%, P < 0.002; TPNGLN 16%, P < 0.05), but during these treatments the patients remained in a net negative protein balance. Combined treatment with TPNGLN + GH/IGF-I increased plasma IGF-I levels (10.3 +/- 0.8 vs. 48.1 +/- 9.1 nmol/l, study 1 vs. study 2, P < 0.05), and in contrast to therapy with nutrition alone, resulted in net protein gain (-0.75 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.33 +/- 0.12 g protein.kg-1.day-1, study 1 vs. study 2, P < 0.05). Therapy with GH/IGF-I + TPNGLN, unlike nutrition alone, resulted in net positive protein balance in a group of critically ill patients.