Anaplastic cardcinoma of the thyroid in a population irradiated for Hodgkin Disease, 1910--1960

Primary Versus Secondary Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: Perspectives from Multi-institutional and Population-Level Data

Primary (or de novo) anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is ATC without pre-existing history of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and no co-existing DTC foci at the time of diagnosis. Secondary ATC is diagnosed if the patient had a history of DTC or co-existing DTC components at time of diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, clinical presentations, outcomes, and genetic backgrounds of primary versus secondary ATCs. We searched for ATCs in our institutional databases and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database. We also performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the genetic alterations of primary and secondary ATCs. From our multi-institutional database, 22 primary and 23 secondary ATCs were retrieved. We also identified 620 and 24 primary and secondary ATCs in the SEER database, respectively. Compared to primary ATCs, secondary ATCs were not statistically different in terms of demographic, clinical manifestations, and patient survival. The only clinical discrepancy between the two groups was a significantly larger tumor diameter of the primary ATCs. The prevalence of TERT promoter, PIK3CA, and TP53 mutations was comparable between the two subtypes. In comparison to primary ATCs, however, BRAF mutations were more prevalent (OR = 4.70; 95% CI = 2.84-7.78) whereas RAS mutations were less frequent (OR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.21-0.85) in secondary tumors. In summary, our results indicated that de novo and secondary ATCs might share many potential developmental steps, but there are other factors that suggest distinct developmental pathways.

Anaplastic transformation of thyroid cancer: review of clinical, pathologic, and molecular evidence provides new insights into disease biology and future therapy

BACKGROUND

Anaplastic thyroid cancer ranks among the most lethal of all human malignancies. Its rarity and rapidly fatal course have made it a difficult cancer to both study and treat. Unfortunately, there has been little progress in the management and control of this malignancy. Anaplastic transformation, or the intratumoral evolution of anaplastic carcinoma from pre-existing differentiated thyroid cancer, has become a well-accepted process, despite a limited understanding of its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

It is through review of the literature that an understanding of the aggressive disease biology can be developed. The aim of this review is to evaluate the relevant clinical, pathologic, and molecular studies to develop an insight into the mechanisms that underlie the intratumoral molecular evolution of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

It is based on an understanding of this process that effective treatments for this aggressive malignancy are currently being developed.

Benign and malignant thyroid nodules after neck irradiation

A total of 444 persons were examined for the presence of thyroid nodules on average of 43 years after having been treated with x-rays for cervical tuberculous adenitis. Of this total, 101 subjects had undergone surgery for thyroid nodules: 25 for carcinoma (6%) and 76 for benign nodules (17%). Carcinoma occurred with the same frequency in multinodular and uninodular glands. Because of the uneven age distribution in the current series, it could not be decided whether there was a higher susceptibility of the young thyroid to the induction of thyroid carcinoma or benign nodules. The dosage range for the whole series was 0.40 to 50.90 Gy (40-5090 rad). There was a positive correlation between the absorbed radiation dose and the probability of developing benign and malignant thyroid nodules, even after doses of 20 Gy or more. The risk of developing thyroid carcinoma was equal for men and women, while the female-to-male ratio for benign nodules was 2.9:1, indicating that risk factors associated with females are of less importance in irradiated than in nonirradiated populations. The median latency for carcinoma was 40 years, suggesting that the increased risk of thyroid carcinoma after irradiation remains for the rest of the patient's life.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the thyroid after radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease. A case report and review

This is a case report of a patient who had received radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease and 48 years later developed adenosquamous carcinoma of the thyroid gland. Radiation associated thyroid carcinoma is usually of differentiated variety and carried no different prognosis than one not related to radiation. Coexisting adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is a very rare event, but makes the prognosis of patients with thyroid carcinoma much poorer. As a result, this kind of patient requires early recognition and aggressive therapy.

Anaplastic transformation of thyroid cancer: report of two cases and review of the literature

Transformation of well-differentiated thyroid adenocarcinoma to anaplastic cancer has been occasionally reported. Two new cases of such transformation are now described. The time interval from diagnosis to the development of anaplastic cancer was 15 years in the first patient and 10 years in the second. Both patients ultimately developed extensive bilateral pulmonary metastases and died within 6 months from the diagnosis of the transformation. Hypotheses concerning the pathogenesis of the transformation and the literature were reviewed. We believe that histopathological confirmation of recurrent and rapidly progressive thyroid tumors is necessary prior to initiation of therapy.

Environmental factors altering thyroid function and their assessment

Chronic ingestion of modest doses of dietary iodine, radiation, and polyhalogenated biphenyls (PCB's and PBB's) are environmental factors with known or suspected adverse effects on the human thyroid. Iodine consumption in the United States is approaching 1 mg daily for a large segment of the population. Data are reviewed which support the need for concern regarding the long-term adverse effects of dietary iodine on thyroid function, particularly in certain susceptible individuals. Environmental sources of radiation pose a significant risk of thyroid cancer and hypothyroidism under certain circumstances which may be intentional, inadvertent, or accidental. Exposure to polyhalogenated biphenyls during manufacture or as industrial pollutants are hazardous to man and to wildlife in moderate or large quantities and perhaps also in small amounts. The need to investigate the potential harm posed by these factors in the quantities commonly encountered is emphasized.

Osteoclastome-like giant cell thyroid carcinoma controlled by intensive radiation and adriamycin, in a patient with meningioma and multiple myeloma treated by radiation and cytoxan

The eighth cases of osteoclastome-like giant cell carcinoma of the thyroid, and the first one to be treated with adriamycin in addition to surgery and radiation, is reported. This rare variant of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma appeared in a patient operated on for meningioma and treated for multiple myeloma with cranial radiation and chronic administration of cytoxan.

Cyclical combination chemotherapy and thyroid function in patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease

Clinical and biochemical assessment of thyroid function was undertaken in patients with Hodgkin's disease at designated points following diagnosis. At diagnosis, two of 20 patients had either abnormally low routine thyroid indices, or elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels that were not due to iodine-based investigations. Following lymphography, 76.5% of patients had TSH levels that remained elevated for a median period of 3 months. No detectable thyroid dysfunction was induced during chemotherapy. Fifty-four patients were studied at a median time of 35 months after chemotherapy. One euthyroid patient had a nodular goitre, and one had abnormal thyroid indices. Tsh levels were elevated in 44% of patients, although the median TSH level for the group was normal. Half the patients had abnormal TRH stimulation tests. Sixty patients were studied after irradiation and chemotherapy. Four patients had clinical thyroid dysfunction, and 10% of routine thyroid indices were abnormal. TSH levels were abnormal in 80%, with a markedly elevated median level. All thyroid releasing hormone stimulation tests were abnormal.