Aggressiveness of therapy and prognosis of patients with Hürthle cell papillary thyroid carcinoma

Hürthle Cell Carcinoma: Single Center Analysis and Considerations for Surgical Management Based on the Recent Literature

BACKGROUND

Hürthle cell carcinoma (HCC) of the thyroid is rare. There are contrasting data on its clinical behavior. The aim of this study was to describe clinic-pathological features and outcomes of HCC patients at our institution, in order to adapt our surgical management.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 51 cases of HCC treated at the interdisciplinary endocrine center of the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany between 2005 and 2020.

RESULTS

Patients median age was 63 years (range 29-78) with 64.7% of cases being female. Primary treatment included surgery and postoperative radioiodine therapy with 3.7 GBq in all patients. Surgery consisted of total thyroidectomy in all cases and additional central lymphadenectomy in 90.2% of cases. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 11 (range 2-31). Lymph node involvement was found in two (4.3%) pT4a tumors. In all other cases (95.7%), central lymphadenectomy was prophylactic and lymph nodes were free of metastasis in final histopathology. Twelve (23.5%) patients with incomplete biochemical response to primary treatment were diagnosed with structural relapse during the course of disease, for which seven (58.4%) underwent resection of isolated cervical metastasis. Histopathology revealed soft tissue implants in all cases and cervical surgery led to biochemical and radiologic cure in only two (28.5%) cases. Five (41.6%) patients developed metastatic disease, followed by systemic therapy in two patients. Vascular invasion of the primary tumor was significantly associated with relapse (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrence of HCC was common in this study. Given the low rate of lymph node metastases both in this study and in recent literature and the nature of relapse (soft tissue instead of nodal metastasis), the benefit of routine prophylactic central lymph node dissection for HCC remains unclear, especially in the absence of vascular invasion from the primary tumor.

Oncocytic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Oncocytic Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Clinical Features, Uptake, and Response to Radioactive Iodine Therapy, and Outcome

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study was to review the clinicopathologic characteristics and outcome of patients with oncocytic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and oncocytic poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC). The secondary objective was to evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of RAI use in this population.

METHODS

Patients with oncocytic PTC and PDTC who were treated at a quaternary cancer centre between 2002 and 2017 were retrospectively identified from an institutional database. All patients had an expert pathology review to ensure consistent reporting and definition. The cumulative incidence function was used to analyse locoregional failure (LRF) and distant metastasis (DM) rates. Univariable analysis (UVA) was used to assess clinical predictors of outcome.

RESULTS

In total, 263 patients were included (PTC [n=218], PDTC [n=45]) with a median follow up of 4.4 years (range: 0 = 26.7 years). Patients with oncocytic PTC had a 5/10-year incidence of LRF and DM, respectively, of 2.7%/5.6% and 3.4%/4.5%. On UVA, there was an increased risk of DM in PTC tumors with widely invasive growth (HR 17.1; p<0.001), extra-thyroidal extension (HR 24.95; p<0.001), angioinvasion (HR 32.58; p=0.002), focal dedifferentiation (HR 19.57, p<0.001), and focal hobnail cell change (HR 8.67, p=0.042). There was additionally an increased risk of DM seen in male PTC patients (HR 5.5, p=0.03).The use of RAI was more common in patients with larger tumors, angioinvasion, and widely invasive disease. RAI was also used in the management of DM and 43% of patients with oncocytic PTC had RAI-avid metastatic disease. Patients with oncocytic PDTC had a higher rate of 5/10-year incidence of LRF and DM (21.4%/45.4%; 11.4%/40.4%, respectively). Patients with extra-thyroidal extension had an increased risk of DM (HR 5.52, p=0.023) as did those with angioinvasion. Of the patients with oncocytic PDTC who received RAI for the treatment of DM, 40% had RAI-avid disease.

CONCLUSION

We present a large homogenous cohort of patients with oncocytic PTC and PDTC, with consistent pathologic reporting and definition. Patients with oncocytic PTC have excellent clinical outcomes and similar risk factors for recurrence as their non-oncocytic counterparts (angioinvasion, large tumor size, extra-thyroidal extension, and focal dedifferentiation). Compared with oncocytic PTCs, the adverse biology of oncocytic PDTCs is supported with increased frequency of DM and lower uptake of RAI.

Clinicopathological features and outcomes after radioactive iodine treatment of oncocytic well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the clinicopathological features of Hürthle cell carcinomas (HCC) and oncocytic papillary thyroid carcinomas (OPTC) and to evaluate their response to radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients with histopathologically verified OPTC (group 1) and HCC (group 2), during a 17-year period. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and received RAI adjuvant therapy. Clinicopathological characteristics of the two groups were compared. Response to initial therapy was assessed 6 to 24 months after RAI ablation according to the American Thyroid Association dynamic risk reclassification. Clinical outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 28 patients (8 OPTC and 20 HCC) were included. There was no significant difference in clinicopathological features including sex, age, tumour size and vascular invasion. Distant metastases were absent in both groups. OPTC, however, presented more features of local invasion (50% vs. 10%, P = 0.03), extrathyroidal extension (25% vs. 0%, P = 0.07) and lymph node involvement (37.5% vs. 0%, P = 0.01). Median cumulative RAI activity administered to both groups was 200 mCi (range: 100-300 mCi). Response to RAI therapy was excellent in all HCC and 87.5% of OPTC (P = 0.28). One patient with OPTC (12.5%) presented an indeterminate response. Clinical outcomes were favourable after a median follow-up of 87.5 and 49 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although OPTC presented more locoregional invasion, clinicopathological characteristics of OPTC and HCC were comparable. Both OPTC and HCC were iodine responsive. We suggest that adjuvant RAI therapy after total thyroidectomy is beneficial for OPTC and HCC and may improve disease-free survival.

Approach the Invasive Potential with Hurthle Cell Tumors of Thyroid

To observe the expression of P53, CyclinD1, Ki-67, Galectin-3, COX-2, Bcl-2 and approach their contribution on assessing the invasive potential for Hurthle cell tumors. Seventy-three cases of Hurthle cell tumor were collected for immunohistochemistry staining. The patients were followed up with 8 months to 5 years. Tumors were divided into four grades according to invasion and diameter:(1) extremely low risk (27 cases that less than 2 cm and without invasion), (2) low risk (18 cases that within 2-3.9 cm and without invasion), (3) moderate risk (21 cases that achieve 4 cm and without invasion), (4) high risk (7 cases that with invasion of capsule/vessel in spite of the diameter). Immunostaining presented that all 73 cases were positive with Galectin-3, COX-2 and Bcl-2. For each group, P53 positive were 29.6%, 55.6%, 90.5%, 100.0%; CyclinD1 stained with 7.4%,22.2%,52.4%,100.0% and Ki-67 were 0.0%,5.6%,9.5%,28.6%, respectively. The higher risk of tumor, the more cases that positive expressed P53 and CyclinD1. After following up within 49 patients, two of the recurring cases were positive with P53 and CyclinD1 and one of which was also highly expressed Ki-67. Detecting P53, CyclinD1 and Ki-67 might provide reference for invasive potential assessment with Hurthle cell tumors but not Galectin-3, COX-2 and Bcl-2.

Expression of Autophagy-Related Proteins in Hürthle Cell Neoplasm Is Different from That in Follicular Neoplasm

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate expression of autophagy-related proteins in Hürthle cell neoplasm (HCN) and follicular neoplasm (FN) and assess the clinical implications.

Methods

265 FNs (112 follicular carcinomas and 153 follicular adenomas) and 108 HCNs (27 Hürthle cell carcinomas and 81 Hürthle cell adenomas) were made into a tissue microarray. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot for autophagy-related proteins (beclin-1, light chain (LC) 3A, LC3B, p62, and BNIP3) were performed, and the results were statistically analyzed.

Results

A higher expression rate of beclin-1, LC3B, p62, and BNIP3 was found in HCN than in FN (P < 0.001). The expression rate of beclin-1, LC3B, p62, and BNIP3 was the highest in HCCs followed by HCAs, FCs, and FAs in that order (P < 0.001). HCCs were positive for the largest number of autophagy-related proteins followed by HCAs, FCs, and FAs (P < 0.001), and most of the positive markers identified in HCCs were the high autophagy type (P < 0.001), defined by positive staining for three or more of the five autophagy-related proteins.

Conclusion

The autophagy-related proteins, beclin-1, LC3A, LC3B, p62, and BNIP3, were more frequently expressed in HCNs than in FNs, and HCCs showed the highest expression rate.

Treatment and outcome of 32 patients with distant metastases of Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma: a single-institution experience

Background

It is generally believed that patients with Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma (HCTC) have a poor prognosis. Furthermore, distant metastases represent the most frequent cause of thyroid cancer-related death of patients with HCTC. The aim of this study was to report the treatment and outcomes of patients with distant metastases.

Methods

Altogether 108 patients were treated for HCTC from 1972 to 2011 in our tertiary center and 32 patients (19 females, 13 males; median age 64.5 years) had either initially proven metastatic disease (N = 12) or distant progression of HCTC after initial treatment (N = 20). Patients with metastases were followed for 1–226 (median 77) months. Data were collected on the patients’ gender and age, extent of their disease, morphologic characteristics, therapy, outcome, and survival rate. Statistical correlation between possible prognostic factors and cause-specific survival from time of detection of metastases was analyzed by univariate analysis and log-rank test.

Results

The most common were lung metastases, followed by bone, mediastinum, kidney, and liver in 24, 8, 2, 1, and 1 case, respectively. Total thyroidectomy, lobectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy and neck dissection were performed in 19, 10, 3, and 7 patients, respectively. Radioiodine (RAI) ablation of thyroid remnant was performed in 30 patients, while 20 of them had RAI therapy (median 4 times). RAI uptake in metastases was present in 16 patients and ranged from 0.05 % to 12 %. Chemotherapy was used in 13 patients and external beam radiotherapy in 19 patients. Locoregional control of disease was achieved in 19/21 (90 %) cases who succumbed due to HCTC. Estimated 10-year disease-specific survival for all patients was 60 %. 10-year disease-specific survival for patients with pulmonary metastases and other sites metastases was 60 % and 62 %, respectively. 10-year disease-specific survival for patients with single organ and multiple organ metastases was 52 %, and 100 %, respectively. Estimated median disease-specific survival after the diagnosis of metastatic disease for all patients was 77 months. The median disease-specific survival after the diagnosis of metastatic disease for patients with pulmonary metastases and other sites metastases was 72 and 138 months, respectively.

Conclusions

Ten-year disease-specific survival for all patients with metastatic Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma, patients with pulmonary metastases and bone metastases was 60 %, 60 % and 68 %, respectively.

Expression of miRNA and Occurrence of Distant Metastases in Patients with Hürthle Cell Carcinoma

Background. Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma (HCTC) is a rare type of thyroid carcinoma. In the present study, we investigated whether the expression of miRNAs of interest is associated with the occurrence of metastases in patients with HCTC. Materials and Methods. In 39 patients with HCTC (22 with nonmetastatic and 17 with regional or distant metastatic disease), the expression levels of six miRNAs (miR-138, miR-183, miR-221, miR-222, miR-768-3p, and miR-885-5p) and U6 snRNA as endogenous control were determined in FFPE samples of primary tumor and normal thyroid tissue using TaqMan miRNA assays. Results. In patients with HCTC, miR-138 and miR-768-3p were downregulated in tumor samples compared to normal tissue (p = 0.013 and p = 0.010, resp.). These two miRNAs were also significantly downregulated in tumor samples of patients with metastatic disease (p = 0.030 and p = 0.048, resp.) but not in patients with nonmetastatic disease (p = 0.249 and p = 0.101, resp.). In patients with nonmetastatic disease, miR-221 and miR-885-5p were slightly, albeit significantly, upregulated in tumorous compared to normal tissue (p = 0.042 and p = 0.027, resp.). Conclusion. Expression of miRNA (miR-183, miR-221, and miR-885-5p) in tumor tissue is associated with the occurrence of distant metastases in patients with HCTC.

Prognostic factors for disease-specific survival in 108 patients with Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma: a single-institution experience

BACKGROUND

Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma (HCTC) is a rare disease. It is believed that it is more aggressive than follicular thyroid carcinoma. The aim of our study was to identify factors associated with disease-specific and disease-free survival.

METHODS

Altogether, 108 patients with HCTC (26 male, 82 female; median age 62 years; range 19-87 years) treated at our Institute from 1972 to 2011 were included in the present retrospective study. Data on age, clinical and histopathological factors, tumor stage, recurrence, disease-free and disease-specific survival were collected. Univariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with disease-specific survival. Cox's multivariate regression model was used to identify independent prognostic factors for disease-specific survival.

RESULTS

The follow-up period was 1 to 337 (median 105) months. Of 108 patients, 12 (11%) had distant and 8 (7%) had locoregional metastases before primary treatment. Recurrence was diagnosed in 26 cases (24%): locoregional, distant, and both locoregional and distant in 12, 11, and 3 cases, respectively. The 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year disease-specific survival were 96%, 88%, and 67%, respectively. Independent prognostic factors for disease-specific survival were: age of patients at diagnosis, distant metastases and residual tumor after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Long disease-specific survival was found in patients with HCTC younger than 45 years of age without distant metastases and without residual tumor after surgery.

Hurthle cell carcinoma presenting as a single choroid plexus metastasis

Choroid plexus masses represent approximately 0.3-0.8% of intracranial tumors. Herein we present, to our knowledge, the first reported patient with an isolated Hurthle cell papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis to the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricle. Unresponsive to iodine ablation and refusing surgery, the patient underwent Gamma Knife radiosurgery (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden), receiving 15Gy to the 50% isodose line. The lesion regressed until 5years later at which time it was unresponsive to 18Gy and required surgical resection. Although extraneural metastatic cancers are recognized as potential sources for the single choroid plexus mass, we must consider even the unusual culprit in patients with a history of cancer.

German Association of Endocrine Surgeons practice guideline for the surgical management of malignant thyroid tumors

INTRODUCTION

Over the past years, the incidence of thyroid cancer has surged not only in Germany but also in other countries of the Western hemisphere. This surge was first and foremost due to an increase of prognostically favorable ("low risk") papillary thyroid microcarcinomas, for which limited surgical procedures are often sufficient without loss of oncological benefit. These developments called for an update of the previous practice guideline to detail the surgical treatment options that are available for the various disease entities and tumor stages.

METHODS

The present German Association of Endocrine Surgeons practice guideline was developed on the basis of clinical evidence considering current national and international treatment recommendations through a formal expert consensus process in collaboration with the German Societies of General and Visceral Surgery, Endocrinology, Nuclear Medicine, Pathology, Radiooncology, Oncological Hematology, and a German thyroid cancer patient support organization.

RESULTS

The practice guideline for the surgical management of malignant thyroid tumors includes recommendations regarding preoperative workup; classification of locoregional nodes and terminology of surgical procedures; frequency, clinical, and histopathological features of occult and clinically apparent papillary, follicular, poorly differentiated, undifferentiated, and sporadic and hereditary medullary thyroid cancers, thyroid lymphoma and thyroid metastases from primaries outside the thyroid gland; extent of thyroidectomy; extent of lymph node dissection; aerodigestive tract resection; postoperative follow-up and surgery for recurrence and distant metastases.

CONCLUSION

These evidence-based recommendations for surgical therapy reflect various "treatment corridors" that are best discussed within multidisciplinary teams and the patient considering tumor type, stage, progression, and inherent surgical risk.

Recombinant human thyrotropin-aided radioiodine therapy in patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Our aim was to test the efficacy of 131-I therapy (RIT) using recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in whom endogenous TSH stimulation was not an option due to the poor patient's physical condition or due to the disease progression during L-thyroxin withdrawal. The study comprised 18 patients, who already have undergone total or near-total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation and 0–12 (median 5) RITs after L-thyroxin withdrawal. Our patients received altogether 44 RITs using rhTSH while on L-thyroxin. Six to 12 months after the first rhTSH-aided RIT, PR and SD was achieved in 3/18 (17%) and 4/18 patients (22%), respectively. In most patients (n = 12; 61%) disease progressed despite rhTSH-aided RITs. As a conclusion, rhTSH-aided RIT proved to add some therapeutic benefit in 39% our patients with metastatic DTC, who otherwise could not be efficiently treated with RIT.

Older age and larger tumor size predict malignancy in hürthle cell neoplasms of the thyroid

BACKGROUND

Hürthle cell neoplasms (HCNs) are rare tumors of the thyroid gland. The definitive treatment for Hürthle cell carcinoma (HCC) is total thyroidectomy, while thyroid lobectomy is adequate for Hürthle cell adenoma (HCA). However, differentiating HCC from HCA either before or during surgery is a challenge. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predict malignancy in patients with HCN.

METHODS

Between May 1994 and January 2007, 1,199 patients underwent thyroid surgery at an academic medical center. Medical records of 55 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid resections for the preoperative diagnosis of HCN were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the 55 patients with HCN, 46 (84%) had adenomas and 9 (16%) had carcinomas. Patients with HCC were significantly older than those with HCA (66 +/- 6 years versus 53 +/- 2 years, P = 0.01). Patients with carcinoma also had significantly larger thyroid nodules (4.5 +/- 0.7 cm versus 2.5 +/- 0.2 cm, P < 0.001). All HCNs less than 2 cm in diameter were benign. The malignancy rate increased with nodule size: 18% of nodules measuring 2-4 cm, and 44% of those larger than 4 cm were HCC. One patient with HCC had recurrence of the disease, but there were no disease-related deaths.

CONCLUSION

Advanced patient age and larger nodule size are two important factors that predict malignancy in patients with HCN. In patients with these and other known risk factors for HCC, total thyroidectomy should be considered.

Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the sigmoid colon

Prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer is favorable in the majority of cases. However, distant metastases occur in 10-15% of cases, predominantly in lungs and bones, especially in older patients exhibiting poorly differentiated forms or advanced stages. We report a case history of Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma metastasized to the sigmoid colon. To the best of our knowledge, this location has never been described before. This case history illustrates the difficulties of diagnosis and treatment in patients whose metastases do not concentrate radioiodine. The interest of different imaging modalities, including fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography scan and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, is discussed.