Surgical trends in the management of thyroid lymphoma

Primary thyroid lymphoma: A multi-center retrospective review

BACKGROUND

Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is rare and diagnosis is challenging.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of patients with PTL from 1990 to 2023 to determine method of diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 31 patients with PTL; all had thyroid enlargement; 21 (68 ​%) had compressive symptoms, 11 (35 ​%) had hypothyroidism and 3 had (10 ​%) B symptoms. Diagnosis was established from incisional biopsy in 8 (26 ​%), needle biopsy in 4 (13 ​%), excisional lymph node biopsy in 1 (3 ​%), and thyroidectomy specimens in 18 (58 ​%). 15 (48 ​%) patients had Hashimoto thyroiditis. Treatment included chemotherapy in 19 (61 ​%); surgery alone in 7 (23 ​%); and radiation alone or with surgery in 5 (16 ​%) patients. One (3 ​%) patient recurred, and 4 (13 ​%) patients died after a median 4.2 years.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis of PTL was made in only 13 ​% of patients preoperatively. There may be opportunity for needle biopsy to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma: a case report and systematic review on management and outcomes

Primary thyroid lymphoma is a rare thyroid cancer, comprising ˂5% of thyroid neoplasms. Most cases are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Coexistence with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is extremely rare. This study presents a case of a 55-year-old woman with DLBCL and micropapillary thyroid cancer who underwent lobectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Additionally, we performed a systematic review of 10 cases, including the reported case. The risk of bias in case reports varied. DLBCL diagnoses were mainly made after surgery, with total thyroidectomy being the most common surgical procedure. Chemotherapy was administered in most cases, and radiotherapy was used in some cases. Long-term outcomes indicated a low recurrence rate. While some debate the role of surgery in thyroid lymphoma, this study suggests that surgery should be considered in selected cases. Further research is needed to determine optimal treatment strategies for DLBCL with PTC.

Primary Thyroid Lymphoma: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database

Introduction Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is a rare malignancy, representing only 1% to 5% of thyroid malignancies and 2.5% to 7% of all extranodal lymphomas. Most cases of PTL are of B-cell origin, and 98% of all PTL cases are non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Case series and case reports represent the majority of the available studies on PTL, with a paucity of large retrospective population studies available for this disease. This is the first National Cancer Database (NCDB) study completed on PTL and the only large retrospective study to examine the use of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in the treatment of this specific population. Methods The NCDB for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was utilized to identify 3,466 patients diagnosed with PTL between 2004 and 2015. The database was used to examine demographic information including age, race, gender, histology, stage, and treatment modality. Bivariate Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank tests was used to analyze overall survival. Multivariate analysis was performed with Cox proportional hazards regression models to obtain hazard ratios to assess the association of patient characteristics and treatment methods with survival. Results The median all-cause survival for PTL was 11.6 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.1 to 12.1 years). The majority of PTL patients were female (68%) and white (93%), with a mean age of 65.8 years. Histologically, 59.5% of cases were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 18.3% marginal zone lymphoma, 8% follicular lymphoma, and 1.9% Burkitt lymphoma. Regarding treatment, 40.6% received beam radiation, and 54% underwent surgical resection. Single-agent chemotherapy was used in only 3.5% of patients, where 60.7% received multiagent chemotherapy. Additionally, immunotherapy was used in 16.2% of patients. There was a significantly increased risk of mortality associated with increasing age, DLBCL histology, and higher disease stage. Multivariate analysis of treatment methods revealed that lobectomy (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.47-0.73) and total or subtotal thyroidectomy (HR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.47-0.71) had significantly improved survival rates over no surgical management (p < 0.001). Beam radiation (HR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.58-0.79) had a significant survival benefit over treatment regimens that did not include radiation therapy (p < 0.001). Multiagent (HR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.33-0.49) and single-agent chemotherapy (HR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.30-0.63) had significant improvement over treatment regimens that did not include chemotherapy (p < 0.001). Immunotherapy had a survival benefit (HR 0.87) although this was not found to be statistically significant (95% CI: 0.68-1.11). Other factors associated with decreased risk of mortality include treatment at academic medical centers (HR: 0.846) and integrated cancer centers (HR: 0.76) as compared to community centers (p < 0.05). Conclusion This is the largest study to date of PTL and the first to analyze the NCDB database. Patient characteristics, treatment modalities, and overall survival in PTL were examined to further characterize this rare disease. Beam radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical resection all reveal significant survival benefit, with multiagent chemotherapy having the greatest advantage.

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors for primary thyroid lymphoma: report on 28 Chinese patients and results of a population-based study

Objectives

Few studies on prognostic indicators for primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) have been presented due to the uncommon nature of the tumor. This is the first study to explore the independent prognostic factors in the 2 PTL subtypes.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 1,653 cases of PTL. The cases comprised 28 Chinese patients from a local cohort and 1,625 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1973 to 2013. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the demographics and prognostic factors of PTL patients.

Results

The disease-specific survival (DSS) and prognostic indicators were significantly different between patients with extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Patients with MALT lymphoma were younger (P=0.011) and had lower clinical stage (P=0.014) compared to patients with DLBCL. Cox regression analysis revealed that age, treatment modalities employed, clinical stage, and number of other types of cancer were independent prognostic factors for DLBCL patients.

Conclusion

PTL demonstrates specific clinical features and is associated with a relatively good prognosis. Older age is associated with poor DSS in both MALT patients and DLBCL patients. Additionally, combination of different treatment modalities is associated with improved DSS in DLBCL patients.

Primary extra-nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A prognostic analysis of 141 patients

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of lymphoma. Approximately 40% of DBLCL originates from extra-nodal sites, but the diversity of clinical presentations and the genetic and molecular alterations indicate that extra-nodal DLBCLs may be distinct disease entities. The aim of the present study was to highlight the various aspects of primary extra-nodal DLBCL (PE-DLBCL) based on a single center cohort. The data from 141 patients with PE-DLBCL treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively evaluated. The primary extra-nodal sites involved were the gastrointestinal tract (n=42), central nervous system (CNS; n=38), breast (n=19), adrenal gland (n=15), female genital system (FGS; n=12), thyroid (n=8) and bone (n=7). The median overall survival rate was 28 months (range, 1–116). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that an International Prognostic Index (IPI) ≤2 (P=0.049), complete remission (CR) achieved following first-line therapy (P=0.001) and chemotherapy combined with rituximab (P<0.001) were positive prognostic factors. Patients with DLBCL with primary adrenal gland or female genital system (FGS) involvement exhibited a significantly higher risk of CNS recurrence (P<0.05). Rituximab treatment may have reduced the likelihood of CNS recurrence (P=0.005), whereas prophylaxis with intrathecal injection alone was not sufficient for prevention (P>0.05). In conclusion, IPI >2 and the lack of a CR following first-line therapy were independent prognostic risk factors for PE-DLBCL. Patients with primary adrenal gland or FGS involvement exhibited a higher risk of CNS relapse. Rituximab had a positive impact on the survival of patients with PE-DLBCL, also reducing the likelihood of CNS relapse.

Primary thyroid lymphoma: A case report and review of the literature

Introduction

A rapidly enlarging mass of the anterior compartment of the neck with compressive symptoms may represent, among other diagnosis, a neoplasm of the thyroid gland.

Presentation of case

We describe the case of a 59-year-old woman referred to the endocrine surgical unit because of compressive cervical symptoms for 3 months. The cervical ultrasound revealed a sub-sternal goiter with heterogeneous echo structure and the fine-needle aspirating cytology was inconclusive. Given the large impact of symptoms on life quality, she was submitted to a total thyroidectomy. Histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed the presence of a Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma of the thyroid.

Discussion

Primary thyroid lymphomas are rare and there are few randomized studies for diagnostic and therapeutic guidance. New immunohistochemical and molecular techniques have improved the diagnostic accuracy with corebiopsy limiting the role of surgery. The treatment should first include the control of local disease with radiotherapy and/or surgery combined with chemotherapy to control obscure or disseminated disease. Palliative surgery may be needed to relieve airway compression symptoms. Under these circumstances, surgery should be performed by a specialized surgeon to decrease the associated morbidity. The prognosis of patients depends on the histological classification of the tumor and the stage of the disease.

Conclusion

Due to the rarity of the disease, each case must be evaluated and treated individually, since there is not a consensual therapeutic approach.

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Primary thyroid lymphomas are very rare.

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New immunohistochemical and molecular techniques have improved the diagnostic accuracy with corebiopsy limiting surgery.

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Surgery has a small role in PTL and when needed it should be performed by a specialized surgeon to decrease morbidity.

Thyroid lymphoma: A case report and literature review

Thyroid lymphoma is an unusual pathology. Different subtypes of lymphoma can present as primary thyroid lymphoma. This review illustrates via imaging, findings and treatment the need for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. Patients and methods: patient’s chart, pathological findings and radiological images were reviewed in a retrospective analysis. Over several days, this 80 years old woman developed airway obstruction and rapid enlargement of her thyroid secondary to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. She rapidly responded to her oncological protocol. Primary thyroid lymphoma is a rare disease. It is an important diagnosis to consider in patients presenting with rapidly enlarging neck masses. It is a treatable condition with fairly favorable overall survival even with the most aggressive histological subtypes.

Patterns of care and treatment outcomes for primary thyroid lymphoma: a single institution study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to analyze the patterns of care and treatment outcomes in patients with primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) in a single institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of 29 patients with PTL treated between April 1994 and February 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy (n = 17) or thyroidectomy (n = 12). Treatment modality and outcome were analyzed according to lymphoma grade.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 43.2 months (range, 3.8 to 220.8 months). The median age at diagnosis was 57 years (range, 21 to 83 years) and 24 (82.8%) patients were female. Twenty-five (86.2%) patients had PTL with stage IEA and IIEA. There were 8 (27.6%) patients with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and the remaining patients had high-grade lymphoma. Patients were treated with surgery (n = 2), chemotherapy (n = 7), radiotherapy (n = 3) alone, or a combination of these methods (n = 17). Treatment modalities evolved over time and a combination of modalities was preferred, especially for the treatment of high-grade lymphoma in recent years. There was no death or relapse among MALT lymphoma patients. Among high-grade lymphoma patients, 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) were 75.6% and 73.9%, respectively. Complete remission after initial treatment was the only significant prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.037) and PFS (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Patients with PTL showed a favorable outcome, especially with MALT lymphoma. Radiotherapy alone for MALT lymphoma and chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy for high-grade lymphoma can be effective treatment options for PTL.

Rituximab plus dose-reduced cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, vincristine, and prednisolone are effective in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the thyroid

BACKGROUND

Primary thyroid lymphoma is a rare disease. Although many reports have dealt with surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiation as well as combined chemoradiation, little is known about the value of immunochemotherapy alone. We present the results of systemic treatment using rituximab plus dose reduced mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone in three elderly patients with primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the thyroid.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three patients aged between 86 and 93 years were found to have DLBCL of the thyroid. Lymphoma was locally advanced and deemed unresectable in one patient, whereas the remaining two patients were judged unfit for surgery. All patients were given systemic therapy with R 375 mg/m(2) on day 1, mitoxantrone 8 mg intravenously, cyclophosphamide 750 mg intravenously, and vincristine 1 mg (all given on day 2), along with 100 mg oral prednisolone on days 1-5.

RESULTS

Two patients were given 6 cycles and one patient was given 8 courses of treatment, and all responded with complete remission of the lymphoma. All three patients are alive without evidence of disease recurrence 16, 19, and 25 months after initiation of therapy. Side effects were leukopenia grade III and anemia grade II in one patient each, nausea/emesis grade I in two patients, and lower urinary tract infection and bronchitis in one patient each.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that R plus dose-reduced mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone are feasible and highly effective in elderly patients with DLBCL of the thyroid.

Prognosis of primary thyroid lymphoma: demographic, clinical, and pathologic predictors of survival in 1,408 cases

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data regarding prognosis of primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL), with only case reports and institutional series reported. This is the first population-based study of PTL in the United States.

METHODS

PTL patients were identified in the SEER database. Bivariate (chi(2), Kaplan-Meier, and log rank) and multivariate (Cox proportional hazards) analyses were used to assess the associations between patient characteristics and survival.

RESULTS

A total of 1,408 patients were identified over 32 years of follow-up (median, 3.75 years). Mean age was 66 years; 75% were female and 93% white. Overall, 98% had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; 68% had diffuse large B-cell, 10% follicular, 10% marginal zone, and 3% small lymphocytic. A total of 88% had stage I-II disease. Median survival was 9.3 years. On bivariate analysis, older age, single marital status, stage II-IV disease, histology (large B-cell, follicular, or other non-Hodgkin's), earlier year of diagnosis, lack of prior malignancies, and no radiation/surgery predicted worse survival. Age >or=80 years, advanced stage, no radiation/surgery, and large B-cell or follicular histology predicted worse prognosis in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Older age, advanced stage, histologic subtype, and lack of radiation/surgical treatment are associated with worse survival. Thyroid resection offers benefit only for patients with stage I disease. Management of PTL requires multidisciplinary collaboration.