Incidental thyroid carcinoma in an endemic goiter area in Italy: histopathological features and predictors of a common finding.

PURPOSE: The occurrence and histopathological features of incidental thyroid carcinoma (ITC) vary considerably among populations from different geographical regions. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and histopathological characteristics of ITC in patients who underwent thyroid surgery for apparently benign thyroid diseases in an endemic goiter area in Italy. METHODS: A total of 649 consecutive patients (531 females and 118 males; mean age, 52.9 ± 11.0 years), who underwent thyroid surgery at the Endocrine Surgery Unit of the tertiary care "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital (Catanzaro, Italy) in the period between years 2017 and 2022, were included in this retrospective study. A comprehensive histopathological examination was performed on surgically excised thyroid tissue. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify potential predictors of ITC. RESULTS: The histopathological examination revealed the presence of ITC in 81 patients, accounting for 12.5% of the total study population. The female to male ratio was found to be 6.4 to 1. Among the patients with ITC, 72 had papillary carcinoma (PTC), with 53 of these tumors being microcarcinomas (microPTC). Additionally, 5 patients had follicular thyroid carcinoma, 2 patients had low-risk follicular cell-derived thyroid neoplasms, 1 patient had an oncocytic carcinoma, and 1 patient had a medullary thyroid carcinoma. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between female sex and incidental microPTC. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide further evidence of the common occurrence of ITC, typically in the form of microPTC, among individuals who undergo thyroid surgery for apparently benign thyroid diseases.

Minimal residual disease assessment of papillary thyroid carcinoma through circulating tumor cell-based cytology.

The overall estimated risk of recurrence after an apparently complete thyroid cancer resection ranges from <1% to 55%, and the high-quality pathology report is crucial for proper risk stratification. The neck ultrasound (US) and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and anti-Tg antibody (TgAb) assays are the mainstays for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC) follow-up. However, the neck US includes a high frequency of nonspecific findings and despite the serum, Tg unmasks the presence of thyrocytes, it is not discriminating between normal and malignant cells. In this study, to improve post-surgery follow-up of minimal residual disease in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients, blood-derived cytology specimens were evaluated for the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The presence of CTCs of thyroid origin was confirmed by cytomorphological and tissue-specific antigens analysis (Thyroid Transcription Factor-1/TTF-1 and Tg) and proliferative profile (percentage of cells in S-phase). Our data revealed an unfavorable' prognostic risk in patients with >5% CTCs (p = 0.09) and with >30% S-phase cells at baseline (p = 0.0015), predicting ≤1 year relapsing lesion event. These results suggest a new intriguing frontier of precision oncology forefront cytology-based liquid biopsy.

Thyroid Warthin-Like Cancer Concurrent With Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report.

Warthin like-papillary thyroid cancer (WL-PTC) is a rare malignancy; it is difficult to distinguish preoperatively a WLPTC from a classic PTC. Often it is associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) that determines a better prognosis with a very low probability of recurrence. The case concerns a 43-year-old female with a single thyroid nodule suspected for cancer; and she had multiple sclerosis (MS) from the age of 19. Thyroid hormone levels were normal such as thyroid antibodies. Total thyroidectomy with lymphadenectomy of central compartment was performed. Histological examination revealed a Warthin like-PTC without Hashimoto thyroiditis. The mechanisms involved in pathogenesis of thyroid cancer in patients with autoimmune disease are not completely clear. We hypothesized that not only a local autoimmune response, such as HT, could contribute to the determination of this type of cancer but also a systemic autoimmune disease such as MS.

Low-Dose of Rocuronium During Thyroid Surgery: Effects on Intraoperative Nerve-Monitoring and Intubation.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM) reduces the incidence of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) injuries during thyroid surgery. To preserve nerve function, long acting neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) should be avoided. However, NMBA are necessary for laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. We designed this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess if a low-dose of rocuronium given at intubation would affect the IONM data recorded before the thyroid dissection. METHODS: Hundred patients undergoing elective thyroid surgery were randomized to receive either 0.3 mg kg-1 of low dose rocuronium (intervention) or no-NMBA (control). Intubation was performed with video-laryngoscopy. IONM was placed on RLN and nerve stimulation was performed before and after thyroid dissection. The presence of a valid amplitude prior to dissection was defined when the IONM signal was >100 µV. Occurrence of difficult laryngoscopy was reported together with intubation details including time, difficulty and failure. The lowest peripheral saturation (SpO2) and the number of desaturation episodes during the intubation were also registered. RESULTS: No patients showed impaired IONM signal before dissection in both groups. Cormack-Lehane grade was higher in the intervention group (11;2) compared to control one (11;1; P = 0.046). No-NMBA patients had increased number of difficult laryngoscopies (21% versus 6%, P = 0.041) and intubations (34% versus 8%; P = 0.003) as well as a longer time to intubation (78 [55; 175] versus 55 [31; 110] sec; P = 0.006). Lower values of peripheral SpO2 during intubation attempt were registered in the no NMBA group (99 [97; 100] versus 99 [99; 100] %; P = 0.020). However, the number of intubation failure was similar between groups (p=0.495). CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose of rocuronium does not compromise pre-dissection IONM signal and improves intubation condition when compared to a relaxant free strategy.

Microenvironment Molecular Profile Combining Glycation Adducts and Cytokines Patterns on Secretome of Short-term Blood-derived Cultures during Tumour Progression.

Cancer cells are known to secrete many bioactive factors acting both with paracrine and autocrine mechanisms by which they condition the surrounding microenvironment. At the same time, the intracytoplasmic metabolic activities microenvironment influences the profile of this secretion. It is well known that cancer cells exhibit prevalent glycolytic metabolism and a more oxidative atmosphere compared to their healthy counterparts; this metabolic phenotype promotes glycate adducts formation and secretion. Considering the exacerbation of metabolic changes during the cancer progression, it is suggestive to explore the potential correlation between the increasing rate of glycan adducts and the specific pattern of secreted cytokines in different phases of cancer disease. We analyzed the secretomes of blood-derived cancer cell cultures from cancer patients and healthy subjects. The relative glycate adducts content in cancer secretomes was higher in comparison to that of healthy samples. Moreover, the stratification based on different phases of cancer disease correlated with a specific cytokines panel. The results obtained open a new perspective of observation of the intricate relationship between metabolome and inflammation in cancer. By using the analysis of secretome combined with a standardized protocol of liquid biopsy, it would be possible to identify specific profiles of molecular markers useful to arrange alternative and personalized medicine strategies.

Parathyroid carcinoma presenting with chronic renal failure and single pulmonary metastasis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare malignancy. Our case report is unusual for its presentation. The patient referred symptoms compatible with CRF; nodular lesions to parathyroid glands and an elevated PTH induced physician to hypothesize secondary hyperparathyroidism. The presence of haemoptysis gave us suspicion for malignant neoplasm but only histological examination allowed us to recognize the nature of the lesion, because even PET-CT didn't detect, an hypercaptation in the parathyroids. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: The case concerns a 59 years old female with the following symptoms: asthenia, oliguresis, nausea, haemoptysis and very high levels of calcium and PTH. Laboratory findings (PTH 570 pg/ml; Ca 12.20 mg/dl; P 1.8 mg/dl), ultrasound, CT scan and parathyroid scintigraphy, associated with clinical data, indicated a parathyroid carcinoma with single pulmonary metastasis of the upper lobe of the left lung, confirmed by histological examination and immunochemistry. Cytology performed with bronchoscopy was negative. Surgery ("en bloc" parathyroidectomy on adjacent structures, lymph node dissection near recurrent nerve and atypical lung resection) was effective, with normalization of calcium and PTH levels and disappearance of symptoms after 48 h. After six months, no signs of local recurrence or metastases were observed. DISCUSSION: No clinical or bio-humoral data allows a preoperative diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma. Only with definitive pathology and immunochemistry it is possible to differentiate an adenoma from a carcinoma. CONCLUSION: In patients with CRF it's difficult to diagnose parathyroid carcinoma, because its presentation mimics the most common secondary hyperparathyroidism; the concomitant presence of metastases should lead us to suspect malignant parathyroid lesions. Surgery is the only effective therapy and therefore should be always performed.

Hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy: could intact parathyroid hormone be a predictive factor for transient postoperative hypocalcemia?

BACKGROUND: Hypocalcemia, the most common complication of thyroidectomy, is a transient condition in up to 27% of patients and a permanent condition approximately 1% of patients. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate reliability of postoperative intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) assessment for predicting clinically relevant postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia for a safe early discharge of patients with no overtreatment. METHODS: Seventy-five consecutive patients (age 51 ± 13 years [mean ± SD]) undergoing total or completion thyroidectomy with no concomitant parathyroid diseases or renal failure were included in the present study. Serum iPTH level was determined before and 2 hours after thyroidectomy. Serum calcium concentration was determined 1 day before and 2 days postoperatively. RESULTS: The occurrence of postoperative hypocalcemia was correlated both with the absolute and relative iPTH decrease, determined as a ratio of the preoperative value (P < .0001). There was a greater difference in relative decrease in iPTH between patients remaining normocalcemic and those with hypocalcemia present on the second postoperative day. Hypocalcemic patients on the second postoperative day had a 62% relative decrease in iPTH 2 hours after thyroidectomy. CONCLUSION: The relative decrease in serum iPTH was greater in patients with hypocalcemia arising on the second postoperative day rather than in patients who remained normocalcemic. The relative decrease in iPTH determined 2 hours after total thyroidectomy together with the serum calcium concentration 24 hours after thyroidectomy proved to be useful predictors of sustained hypocalcemia and might change the clinical management of patients after thyroid surgery to support a longer hospitalization in these selected patients.

Gastric cancer following bariatric surgery: a review.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric procedures can induce a massive weight loss that lasts for >15 years after surgery; in addition, they achieve important metabolic effects including diabetes resolution in the majority of morbidly obese patients. However, some bariatric interventions may cause gastroesophageal reflux disease and other serious complications. The aim of our study is to evaluate the risk of cancer after bariatric surgery. METHODS: We conducted a review of the literature about the cases of gastric cancer arising after any bariatric procedure, including a case of adenocarcinoma incidentally discovered by the authors 6 months after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. RESULTS: Globally, 17 case reports describing 18 patients were retrieved, including the case study by the authors. The diagnosis of tumor was at a mean of 8.6 years after bariatric surgery, 9.3 years after RYGB, and 8.1 years after restrictive procedures. The adenocarcinoma represented most cases (15 patients, 83%). In the patients with RYGB, the adenocarcinoma was localized in the excluded stomach in 5 patients (83%) and in the pouch in 1 patient (17%). After a restrictive procedure, the cancer was localized in the pouch in 5 patients (62.5%), in the pylorus in 2 patients (25%), and in lesser curvature only in 1 patient (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of evidence about a connection between the late occurrence of gastric adenocarcinoma and the bariatric surgery. For this reason, although the preoperative upper endoscopy is still mandatory, there is no need for a regular endoscopic evaluation of patients after surgery.

The role of a multidisciplinary approach in the choice of the best surgery approach in a super-super-obesity case.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease caused by a combination of hereditary, metabolic, dietary, cultural, social and psychological factors. Conservative treatments, such as diet and physical exercises, revealed a lack of long-term efficacy in patients with an extremely high BMI (>60 kg/m(2)). METHODS: We present a multidisciplinary approach in a patient with an extremely high BMI: a twenty-one years old woman with a BMI 102 kg/m(2) (body weight 313 kg × height 175 cm) disabled to walk with severe depression and a psychological pattern of sweet eater and binge eating disorder. She was also amenorrheic and suffered from metabolic syndrome. The psychological assessment and the social-familial support were defined as priorities. Afterward, physical rehabilitation, behavior therapy, hypocaloric diet followed by intragastric balloon were planned as preoperative treatment. Finally a surgical program was scheduled: Sleeve Gastrectomy as first step of Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch. RESULTS: Sixteenth months after the Sleeve Gastrectomy the weight was 130 kg (Excess Weight Loss = 74%) with a resumption of the menstrual cycle and a normalization of the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: Due to the results obtained with both surgery and an excellent psychological supporting network we decided not to perform the expected Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch. The timing of bariatric surgery in superobesity patients is a milestone, but the cooperation among the specialists is essential for the choice of the best successful surgery. The multidisciplinary team should point to a comprehensive tailored management, considering motivation, compliance and adherence to a long-term follow-up as the keys for surgical success.

Thyroid surgery in geriatric patients: a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid disease is common in the elderly population. The incidence of hypothyroidism and multinodular goitre gradually increases with age. In view of a growth of aging population, we performed a literature review about the feasibility of thyroid surgery in the elderly. METHODS: We conducted a literature search in the PubMed database in September 2012 and all English-language publications on thyroidectomy in geriatric patients since 2002 were retrieved. The potential original articles mainly focusing on thyroidectomy in elderly patients were all identified and full texts were obtained and reviewed for further hand data retrieving. RESULTS: We retrieved five papers based on different primary end-point. Four were retrospective non randomized studies and one was prospective non randomized study. At last 65, 70, 75 and 80 years were used as an age cut-off. All studies evaluate the indications of thyroidectomy in geriatric patients, postoperative morbility and mortality. Only one study specifically assesses the rate of the rehospitalization after thyroidectomy among the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid nodules are particularly important in elderly patients, as the incidence of malignancy increases and they are usually more aggressive tumors. An age of at least 70 years is an independent risk factor for complications after general surgery procedures. Thyroid surgery in patients aged 70 years or older is safe and the relatively high rate of thyroid carcinoma and toxic goiter may justify an aggressive approach. A programmed operation with a careful pre-operative evaluation and a risk stratification should make the surgical procedures less hazardous, specially in 80 years old patients with an high ASA score.

[Thyroidectomy using the intra-operative neuromonitoring and the surgeon's confidence]. / Tiroidectomia totale con neuromonitoring. Esperienza sulla compliance dei chirurghi.

AIM: Reporting our experience with NIM-response 2.0 and 3.0 system in a series of 127 thyroidectomies. MATERIALS OF STUDY: 127 patients were operated at the "Magna Graecia" University (Catanzaro) from 2009 September to 2010 December, using the technique of IntraOperative NeuroMonitoring (IONM). For each patient the surgeon charge filled in a "questionnaire" assessing his/her compliance with the apparatus. RESULTS: We report 0.8% permanent and 0.4% transient recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. All surgeons have been fully satisfied from IONM technique. DISCUSSION: A recurrent laryngeal nerve lesion may occur in patients operated on total thyroidectomy between 5-8% for transient palsies and 1-3% for the permanent ones. The use of IONM seems to contribute to a reduction of transient paralysis, even if this method is still not widely accepted Nevertheless the compliance of the surgeons with IONM seems to develop very highly. CONCLUSIONS: NIM-response is helpful in protecting recurrent laryngeal nerve function. Advantages were observed in reduction of postoperative dysphonia and in improving the surgeon's confidence in performing a total thyroidectomy.

From 3-port to new laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) cholecystectomy: a critical analysis of available evidence.

In recent years, laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) has gained greater interest and diffusion for the treatment of gallstones. This critical review aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of LESS cholecystectomy versus the 3-port technique (TPT) through a comparative analysis of 5 parameters: mean operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, conversion to open, conversion to the 4-trocar technique and postoperative hospital stay. The authors performed a systematic search of the medical literature through a search of PubMed and Ovid EMBASE. Inclusion criteria were as follows: publication date between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2010; English or Italian language; human participants and series of 20 operations or more. There were 5 manuscripts meeting the inclusion criteria for TPT and 23 for LESS. Only one prospective randomized controlled trial comparing TPT and LESS was identified. Operative time is significantly longer in the single-incision group. Complications and conversion rates to the 4-port technique are higher in LESS. Postoperative hospital stay is similar in the 2 groups. Rate of conversion to open is higher in TPT. Despite the number of publications on LESS cholecystectomy, the vast majority of data available in the literature are from small case series without any comparative data. Although LESS cholecystectomy is a fashionable technique there are few data available for an evidence-based determination as to the real benefits of this technique. Well-designed comparative studies are suggested to validate the clinical benefits and ensure that there are no new complications or added costs associated with the new technique.

[Multivisceral resection in locally advanced colorectal cancer: analysis of associated humoral and clinical factors]. / Resezioni multiviscerali nel carcinoma colorettale localmente avanzato: analisi dei fattori bioumorali e clinici associati.

Colorectal cancer is locally advanced in 10-20% of cases. In these cases the surgical procedure of multivisceral resection is used in an attempt to obtain a curative result. The aim of the present study was to assess survival and biological humoral and clinical factors in patients subjected to multivisceral resection in our surgical unit. Fifteen patients affected by advanced colorectal cancer (T4) subjected to multivisceral resection are compared with a population of 19 patients subjected to standard resection for Dukes B and C colorectal cancer. We analysed three-year survival and the associated clinical, humoral and biological factors. Survival analysis was done using Kaplan-Meyer curves. The three-year survival rate was 33% in patients subjected to multivisceral resection. Post-surgical mortality (< 30 days) was 6.6%. Longer surgical times, a greater number of transfusions and high values of CEA, CA 19.9, and total bilirubin are statistically associated with the group of patients subjected to multivisceral resection. In advanced colorectal cancer multivisceral resection appears to be a legitimate procedure in order to obtain presumed oncological radicality. The identification of predictive factors can select patients most likely to benefit from multivisceral resection.