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Coca-Pelaz A, Rodrigo JP, Agaimy A, Williams MD, Saba NF, Nuyts S, Randolph GW, López F, Vander Poorten V, Kowalski LP, Civantos FJ, Zafereo ME, Mäkitie AA, Cohen O, Nixon IJ, Rinaldo A, Ferlito A. Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas: conceptual controversy and clinical impact. Virchows Arch 2024; 484:733-742. [PMID: 38400843 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-024-03752-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTC) are rare diseases; nevertheless, they account for the majority of deaths from non-anaplastic follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinomas. Establishing the diagnosis and treatment of PDTC is challenging given the low incidence and the lack of standardization of diagnostic criteria. These limitations hamper the ability to compare therapeutic modalities and outcomes between recent and older studies. Recently, the 5th edition of the classification of endocrine tumors has been published, which includes changes in nomenclature and the addition of the disease entity of "differentiated high-grade follicular cell-derived carcinomas". On the other hand, the recently witnessed advances in molecular diagnostics have enriched therapeutic options and improved prognosis for patients. We herein review the various historical variations and evolution in the diagnostic criteria for PDTC. This systematic review attempts to clarify the evolution of the histological and molecular characteristics of this disease, its prognosis, as well as its treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Coca-Pelaz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Av/ Rome S/N. 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
| | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Av/ Rome S/N. 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michelle D Williams
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sandra Nuyts
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gregory W Randolph
- Division of Thyroid and Parathyroid Endocrine Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fernando López
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Av/ Rome S/N. 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Vincent Vander Poorten
- Department of Oncology, Section Head and Neck Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luiz P Kowalski
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco J Civantos
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Mark E Zafereo
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Antti A Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Oded Cohen
- Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Affiliated With Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Iain J Nixon
- Department of Surgery and Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Alfio Ferlito
- Coordinator of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy
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Chatterjee S, Mair M, Shaha AR, Paleri V, Sawhney S, Mishra A, Bhandarkar S, D'Cruz AK. Current evidences in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and subsection meta-analysis for clinical decision making. Endocrine 2024:10.1007/s12020-024-03771-x. [PMID: 38504051 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-024-03771-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a distinct entity with intermediate prognosis between indolent follicular thyroid cancers and anaplastic carcinoma. The management guidelines are not standardized for these cancers due its low prevalence and limited available literature. Therefore, we did this systematic review with emphasis on current evidence on diagnosis, imaging, molecular markers, and management of these carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched four databases, PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and Emcare to identify studies published till October 2023. All studies reporting diagnostic tests, imaging, molecular marker expression and management of PDTC were included in the review. The meta-analysis was conducted on expression of molecular markers in these cancers following recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate pooled estimated prevalence with 95% confidence intervals. Based on the inclusion criteria, 62 articles were selected to be incorporated for the review. Differences in pathological diagnostic criteria of PDTC was noted in literature which was addressed in WHO 2022 diagnostic terminologies with expansion of the definition. Surgical management is uniformly recommended for early stage PDTC. However, literature is divided and anecdotal for recommendations on radioactive iodine (RAI), extent of neck dissection and adjuvant treatment in PDTC. Evidence for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), novel theragnostic approaches, immunotherapy targets are evolving. Based on the subset analysis for expression of molecular markers, we found the most common markers expressed were TERT (41%), BRAF (28%) and P 53 (25%). CONCLUSION Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas have a high case fatality rate (up to 31%). Eighty-five % of the patients who succumb to the disease have distant metastasis. Even though under-represented in literature, evidence-based management of these aggressive tumors can help personalize the treatment for optimal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sataksi Chatterjee
- Apollo Hospitals Group, Department of Oncology, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manish Mair
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Ashok R Shaha
- Head and Neck Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Shikhar Sawhney
- Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Faridabad, India
| | - Aananya Mishra
- Apollo Hospitals Group, Department of Oncology, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | | | - Anil Keith D'Cruz
- Apollo Hospitals Group, Department of Oncology, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
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Beute JE, Silberzweig AM, Gold BS, Shaari AL, Kapustin DA, Matloob A, Dowling EM, Starc MT, Fan J, Khorsandi AS, Brandwein-Weber M, Urken ML, Chai RL. Thyroid cancer necrosis not evident on imaging: A cautionary case series on poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma diagnosed only on final pathology. Am J Otolaryngol 2024; 45:104054. [PMID: 37729774 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.104054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Poorly-differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) is a highly aggressive malignancy which is recently defined and understudied in the radiologic literature. Necrosis is a key histopathologic criterion for the diagnosis of PDTC. We illustrate the current difficulty in accurate identification of histopathologic necrosis on preoperative imaging. METHODS A series of seven patients with the final diagnosis of PDTC from our institution were identified. Multimodality preoperative imaging was analyzed by two head and neck radiologists. Final pathology reports were queried confirming histopathologic evidence of necrosis. RESULTS Patients presented with a wide range of preoperative imaging features. A consistent imaging appearance confirming necrosis was not identified. All patients were subsequently upstaged to PDTC following final pathological analysis. CONCLUSION A lack of definitive evidence of necrosis on preoperative imaging does not exclude the possibility of PDTC. We demonstrate the need for further research to establish a clear methodology for the preoperative diagnosis of PDTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Beute
- THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Alex M Silberzweig
- THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Brandon S Gold
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Ariana L Shaari
- THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Danielle A Kapustin
- THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA.
| | - Ammar Matloob
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Eric M Dowling
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Michael T Starc
- Department of Radiology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, 310 East 14th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Jun Fan
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Azita S Khorsandi
- Department of Radiology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, 310 East 14th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Margaret Brandwein-Weber
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Mark L Urken
- THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Raymond L Chai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA
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Kang M, Kim NR, Seok JY. Non-papillary thyroid carcinoma diagnoses in The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology categories V and VI: An institutional experience. Ann Diagn Pathol 2023; 71:152263. [PMID: 38195259 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2023.152263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The non-papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) subgroups of The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) categories V (Suspicious for malignancy) and VI (Malignant) are rare, and specific tumor typing is difficult. We aimed to analyze histologic outcomes and to investigate the points of caution. METHODS We reviewed the electronic database and identified 12,215 cases of thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology between 2013 and 2022. In total, 2783 patients were diagnosed with TBSRTC V or VI. Of these, 51 patients with non-PTC diagnosis were identified. Histological outcomes were analyzed with the cytologic findings. RESULTS The subgroups of non-PTC diagnoses in TBSRTC category V or VI consisted of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) (13/51, 25.5 %), anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (3/51, 5.9 %), lymphoma (2/51, 3.9 %), metastatic tumor (4/51, 7.8 %), and malignant, not otherwise specified (NOS) (29/51, 56.9 %). The concordance rate of the histological outcomes was 30 % (12/40), predominantly comprising MTC cases. The obscuring factors for specific tumor typing in the suspicious for malignancy/malignant NOS cytology diagnosis group was mixed pattern of well differentiated thyroid carcinoma and less differentiated carcinoma cells (9/24, 37.5 %), low cellularity (7/24, 29.2 %) and a history of non-thyroid organ malignancy (6/24, 25 %). The less differentiated carcinoma component in mixed pattern consisted of 2 poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas, 2 anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, 4 high-grade PTCs and 1 high-grade MTC. CONCLUSION The high-grade feature of PTC or MTC cytology is a noteworthy obscuring factor in specific tumor typing of non-PTC cytology diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myunghee Kang
- Department of Pathology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Rae Kim
- Department of Pathology, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Yeon Seok
- Department of Pathology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Republic of Korea.
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Alwelaie Y, Howaidi A, Tashkandi M, Almotairi A, Saied H, Muzzaffar M, Alghamdi D. Revisiting the cytomorphological features of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a comparative analysis with indeterminate thyroid fine-needle aspiration samples. J Am Soc Cytopathol 2023; 12:331-340. [PMID: 37302972 DOI: 10.1016/j.jasc.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is an uncommon high-grade carcinoma of follicular cell origin that is usually overlooked on preoperative fine-needle aspiration (FNA) due to its rarity and cytomorphological overlap with follicular-patterned neoplasms. Definitive diagnosis of PDTC usually requires histologic examination of the resected thyroid tumor. Herein, we describe the cytological and architectural findings of histologically confirmed PDTC cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS A search for all thyroid FNAs with a corresponding surgical diagnosis of PDTC was performed. Surgical diagnoses were reviewed and confirmed using the Turin criteria. In addition, the control group consisted of indeterminate thyroid nodules (FLUS [follicular lesion of undetermined significance] and FN [follicular neoplasm]) that were either benign or well-differentiated thyroid tumors on resection. The PDTC and control groups were both subjected to cytological assessment using specific cytological and architectural parameters, which included cellularity, growth pattern, mitoses, necrosis, chromatin change, discohesion, and anisonucleosis. RESULTS A total of 36 thyroid FNAs were included in the study. This consisted of 12 histologically confirmed PDTC FNAs and 24 indeterminate thyroid FNAs (FLUS and FN, 12 each). The most frequent findings among PDTC groups were hypercellularity (75%), trabecular/insular growth pattern (58%), branching capillaries (67%), and cellular discohesion (92%). Necrosis (25%), ≥3 mitoses (50%), and anisonucleaosis (42%) were less frequently observed. A peculiar finding was the presence of adenoid cystic carcinoma-like globules in 50% of PDTC cases. Certain findings such as colloid, necrosis, mitoses, and cellular discohesion were helpful in differentiating the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Thyroid fine-needle aspiration remains an essential diagnostic/triage tool for most thyroid nodules/tumors. PDTC can be diagnosed or at least suspected preoperatively based on the demonstration of certain architectural and cytological alterations. Although mitoses and necroses are not always readily identified, an elevated Ki-67 labeling expression could provide additional clues to the diagnosis in some cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazeed Alwelaie
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ali Howaidi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Tashkandi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Almotairi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hisham Saied
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moammar Muzzaffar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Doaa Alghamdi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Wan Z, Wang B, Yao J, Li Q, Miao X, Jian Y, Huang S, Lai S, Li C, Tian W. Predictive factors and clinicopathological characteristics of outcome in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a single-institution study. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1102936. [PMID: 37483485 PMCID: PMC10361777 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1102936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Method A total of 24912 thyroid carcinoma patients admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from 2005 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 94 patients (39 males and 55 females, a male-female ratio of 1:1.4) fulfilled the selection criteria. Of these, 73 patients had undergone surgery. The clinical and pathological data were collected from each enrolled patient. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine independent prognostic factors. All analyses were performed with the SPSS version 26.0 and R version 1.2.5033 in the R Studio environment. Results The specimens included 20 cases of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma complicated with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 17 cases complicated with follicular thyroid carcinoma, 34 cases complicated with other pathological types and 23 with a separate entity. The patient demonstrated a large age span, median age was 57 years (range 8-85 years, average 55.20 ± 15.74 years). The survival time of the 94 cases was calculated, and the mean Overall survival time was 33 (range, 1-170) months, and the mean Recurrence-free survival time was 14 (range, 1-90) months. Recurrence-free mortality is related to the age at diagnosis, extrathyroidal extension and Associated thyroid cancer (p<0.05). In contrast, overall mortality is related to the age at diagnosis, sex, extrathyroidal extension, T stage (AJCC 8th), surgery and radiation (p<0.05). Conclusion Middle-aged and elderly patients are still at high risk for poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The pathologic results of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma are varied, and reasonable treatment has an important impact on the prognosis of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chen Li
- *Correspondence: Wen Tian, ; Chen Li,
| | - Wen Tian
- *Correspondence: Wen Tian, ; Chen Li,
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Podany P, Abi-Raad R, Barbieri A, Garritano J, Prasad ML, Cai G, Adeniran AJ, Gilani SM. Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: Cytomorphologic Features on Fine-Needle Aspiration and Associated Diagnostic Challenges. Am J Clin Pathol 2022; 157:608-619. [PMID: 34661606 PMCID: PMC8973262 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an aggressive malignancy, and early diagnosis, often aided by fine-needle aspiration (FNA), is key to improving patient prognosis. While the current literature describes some of the cytologic features (CFs) of this entity, a comprehensive examination of the CFs has not yet been performed. METHODS We retrospectively searched our electronic database for ATC cases with available slides between January 2008 and December 2019. Cases were examined for 22 CFs and compared with a control group of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. RESULTS A total of 18 ATC cases meeting our inclusion criteria were identified. Most cases showed moderate to high cellularity (83%) and epithelioid cytomorphology (83%). Architecture included either predominantly groups/clusters of tumor cells (56%) or single tumor cells (44%). The other CFs were as follows: nuclear enlargement (100%), nuclear crowding (89%), nuclear membrane irregularities (100%), multinucleated tumor cells (33%), and background acute inflammatory cells (50%). Of the CFs examined, statistically significant differences between ATC and the control groups were found in the following: nuclear pleomorphism, coarse/clumped chromatin, macronucleoli, apoptosis, and necrosis. CONCLUSIONS Identification of key CFs in FNA coupled with the clinical history aids in the diagnosis of ATC and helps distinguish it from other mimickers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Podany
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rita Abi-Raad
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrea Barbieri
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - James Garritano
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Applied Mathematics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Manju L Prasad
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Guoping Cai
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Syed M Gilani
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Tong J, Ruan M, Jin Y, Fu H, Cheng L, Luo Q, Liu Z, Lv Z, Chen L. Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a clinician's perspective. Eur Thyroid J 2022; 11:e220021. [PMID: 35195082 PMCID: PMC9010806 DOI: 10.1530/etj-22-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a rare thyroid carcinoma originating from follicular epithelial cells. No explicit consensus can be achieved to date due to sparse clinical data, potentially compromising the outcomes of patients. In this comprehensive review from a clinician's perspective, the epidemiology and prognosis are described, diagnosis based on manifestations, pathology, and medical imaging are discussed, and both traditional and emerging therapeutics are addressed as well. Turin consensus remains the mainstay diagnostic criteria for PDTC, and individualized assessments are decisive for treatment option. The prognosis is optimal if complete resection is performed at early stage but dismal in nearly half of patients with locally advanced and/or distant metastatic diseases, in which adjuvant therapies such as 131I therapy, external beam radiation therapy, and chemotherapy should be incorporated. Emerging therapeutics including molecular targeted therapy, differentiation therapy, and immunotherapy deserve further investigations to improve the prognosis of PDTC patients with advanced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Tong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Maomei Ruan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuchen Jin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Fu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiong Luo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyan Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongwei Lv
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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Jin S, Liu H, Yang J, Zhou J, Peng D, Liu X, Zhang H, Zeng Z, Ye YN. Development and validation of a nomogram model for cancer-specific survival of patients with poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: A SEER database analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:882279. [PMID: 36176465 PMCID: PMC9513392 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.882279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to establish and validate an accurate prognostic model, based on demographic and clinical parameters, for predicting the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with PDTC between 2004 to 2015 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Randomly split the data into training and validation sets. Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test was performed to compare the survival distribution among cases. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify independent prognostic factors, which were subsequently utilized to construct a nomogram for predicting the 5- and 10-year cancer-specific survival of patients with PDTC. The discriminative ability and calibration of the nomogram model were assessed using the concordance index and calibration plots, respectively. In addition, we performed a decision curve analysis to assess the clinical value of the nomogram. Simultaneously, we compared the predictive performance of the nomogram model against that of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) T-, N-, M-stage. RESULTS A total of 970 eligible patients were randomly assigned to either a training cohort (n = 679) or a validation cohort (n = 291). The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that there were no significant differences in cumulative survival based on the race, radiation, and marital status of patients. The stepwise Cox regression model showed that the model was optimal when the following five variables were included: age, tumor size, T-, N-, and M-stage. A nomogram was developed as a graphical representation of the model and exhibited good calibration and discriminative ability in the study. Compared to the T-, N-, and M-stage, the C-index of nomogram (training group: 0.807, validation group: 0.802), the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the training set (5-year AUC: 0.843, 10-year AUC:0.834) and the validation set (5-year AUC:0.878, 10-year AUC:0.811), and the calibration plots of this model all exhibited better performance. At last, compared with T-, N-, and M-stage, the decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram had excellent clinical net benefit. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram developed by us can accurately predict the CSS of PDTC patients. It can help clinicians determine appropriate treatment strategies for poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Jin
- Bioinformatics and Biomedical Big Data Mining Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Department of Medical Informatics, School of Big Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Huiying Liu
- Bioinformatics and Biomedical Big Data Mining Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Department of Medical Informatics, School of Big Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jingyuan Yang
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Chronic Disease Surveillance Guizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Dandan Peng
- Clinical Medical School, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiangmei Liu
- Clinical Medical School, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Haiwang Zhang
- Clinical Medical School, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhu Zeng
- Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhu Zeng, ; Yuan-nong Ye,
| | - Yuan-nong Ye
- Bioinformatics and Biomedical Big Data Mining Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Department of Medical Informatics, School of Big Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhu Zeng, ; Yuan-nong Ye,
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10
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Dettmer MS, Schmitt A, Komminoth P, Perren A. Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma : An underdiagnosed entity. DER PATHOLOGE 2020; 41:1-8. [PMID: 31273418 PMCID: PMC7286943 DOI: 10.1007/s00292-019-0600-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTCs) are a rare subtype of thyroid carcinomas that are biologically situated between well-differentiated papillary/follicular thyroid carcinomas and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATCs). The diagnosis of conventional as well as oncocytic poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma is difficult and often missed in daily routine. The current WHO criteria to allow the diagnosis of PDTCs are based on the results of a consensus meeting held in Turin in 2006. Even a minor poorly differentiated component of only 10%of a given carcinoma significantly affects patient prognosis and the oncocytic subtype may even have a worse outcome. Immunohistochemistry is not much help and is mostly used to exclude a medullary thyroid carcinoma with calcitonin and to establish a follicular cell of origin via thyroglobulin staining. Due to the concept of stepwise dedifferentiation, there is a vast overlap of different molecular alterations like BRAF, RAS, CTNNB1, TP53 and others between different thyroid carcinoma subtypes. A distinctive molecular tumor profile is therefore currently not available. PDTCs have a unique miRNA signature, which separates them from other thyroid carcinomas. The average relapse free survival is less than one year and about 50% of patients die of the disease. Modern tyrosine kinase inhibitors offer in conjunction with powerful molecular diagnostic new chances in these difficult to treat carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Dettmer
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstraße 31, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - A Schmitt
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstraße 31, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - P Komminoth
- Institute of Pathology, City Hospital Triemli, 8063, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - A Perren
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstraße 31, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
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11
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Choi SW, Lee JH, Kim YY, Chung YS, Choi S, Kim NR, Kang JM, Park HK, Chun YS. Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: An institutional experience. KOREAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY 2020; 16:25-32. [PMID: 36945302 PMCID: PMC9942713 DOI: 10.14216/kjco.20005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The incidence of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is extremely low among thyroid cancers and there is no standardized treatment guideline for it. In this study, we have analyzed PDTC patients and reviewed their clinicopathological features. Methods Data of PDTC patients from our institution are collected through the electronic medical database. We analyzed them by several parameters such as basic demographics, presenting symptom, preoperative cytology results, associated pathology, surgical results, surgery type, and distant metastasis. Results We collected 23 cases in our institution. Apart from two patients who were transferred to another hospital upon diagnosis, all 21 operated cases are analyzed. The parameters we studied were age, sex, presenting symptoms, distant metastasis and pathological features such as tumor size, associated pathology, predominant pattern and so on. We also provided descriptive analyses according to the type of presentation and treatment; patients with distant metastasis, juvenile cancer, and concurrent hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, we provided different cases in which the initial surgical plans differed. Conclusion We present 21 cases of PDTC patients and clarify their clinicopathological features. Despite some limitations, this study may shed light for future research regarding treatment of PDTC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok Won Choi
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
| | - Joon-Hyop Lee
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Yun Young Kim
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Yoo Seung Chung
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Sangtae Choi
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Na Rae Kim
- Department of Pathology, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jin Mo Kang
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Heung Kyu Park
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Yong Soon Chun
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
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12
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Bongiovanni M, Sykiotis GP. A new mouse model of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma and its implications for human disease. Gland Surg 2020; 9:481-484. [PMID: 32420279 DOI: 10.21037/gs.2020.01.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerasimos P Sykiotis
- Service of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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13
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Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) characteristics and the efficacy of radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy as an adjuvant treatment in a tertiary cancer care center. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 277:1807-1814. [PMID: 32170421 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-05898-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) is biologically more aggressive. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. The utility of radioactive iodine (RAI) after surgery is unclear. METHODS In this retrospective study, patients treated between Jan 2012 and Dec 2017 were included. The demographic, clinical and treatment-related details, including RAI ablation, were recorded and their survival analyzed. RESULTS Thirty-five patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Majority was treatment naïve at presentation. All patients underwent surgery followed by RAI ablation, with a cumulative median dose of 220 mCi (range 40-1140). Sixteen patients received more than one radioiodine treatment for distant metastases. Incomplete resection, age > 45 years and the presence of distant metastasis influenced survival the most. The 3-year PFS of patients with PDTC was 69%. CONCLUSION All patients in our series showed uptake and responded to treatment. Further use of molecular markers and functional molecular imaging would better our understanding of this entity.
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14
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Kim NR, Seok JY, Chung YS, Lee JH, Chung DH. Contribution of cytologic examination to diagnosis of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma. J Pathol Transl Med 2020; 54:171-178. [PMID: 32013325 PMCID: PMC7093280 DOI: 10.4132/jptm.2019.12.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cytologic diagnosis of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is difficult because it lacks salient cytologic findings and shares cytologic features with more commonly encountered neoplasms. Due to diverse cytologic findings and paucicellularity of PDTC, standardization of cytologic diagnostic criteria is limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate and recognize diverse thyroid findings of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology and frozen smear cytology in diagnosis of this rare but aggressive carcinoma. Methods The present study included six cases of FNA cytology and frozen smears of histologically diagnosed PDTCs. Results PDTC showed cytologic overlap with well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (WDTCs). Five of six cases showed dedifferentiation arising from well differentiated thyroid carcinomas. Only one de novo PDTC showed highly cellular smears composed of discohesive small cells, high nuclear/cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio, prominent micronucleoli, and irregular nuclei. Retrospectively reviewed, these findings are highly suspicious for PDTC. Cytologic findings of nuclear atypia, pleomorphism, and irregularity were frequently found, whereas scattered small cells were seen only in the de novo case. Conclusions Heterogeneous cytologic findings of PDTCs are shared with those of WDTCs and contribute to difficult preoperative cytologic diagnoses. Most PDTCs show dedifferentiation from WDTCs. Albeit rare, de novo PDTC should be considered with cytology showing discohesive small cells with high N/C ratio. This will enable precise diagnosis and prompt treatment of this aggressive malignancy
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Rae Kim
- Department of Pathology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jae Yeon Seok
- Department of Pathology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Yoo Seung Chung
- Division of Thyroid Clinic, Department of General Surgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Joon Hyop Lee
- Division of Thyroid Clinic, Department of General Surgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Dong Hae Chung
- Department of Pathology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
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15
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Thyroid Cancer Brain Metastasis: Survival and Genomic Characteristics of a Large Tertiary Care Cohort. Clin Nucl Med 2019; 44:544-549. [PMID: 31107749 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000002618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Brain metastases (BMs) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) are rare but associated with poor prognosis. We examined risk factors for overall survival (OS) in this population and explored the pattern of genomic alterations. METHODS Single-institution, retrospective review of all patients with DTC from January 2000 to November 2016 identified 79 patients for analysis. Multiple prognostic factors, including age, gender, distal metastasis (DM), diagnosis time, DM sites, BM diagnosis time, BM number and size, genomic sequencing data, craniectomy, external beam radiation therapy, and kinase inhibitor therapies, were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS Median survival after BM was 18 months. One- and 3-year survival rates were 63% and 33%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified 4 covariates correlated with prolonged survival: time between DTC diagnosis and BM for less than 3 years (P = 0.01), time from initial DM diagnosis to BM for 22 months or less (P = 0.03), 3 BM sites or fewer (P = 0.002), and craniectomy (P = 0.05). Multivariate model revealed 3 variables associated with OS: DTC diagnosis to BM time of less than 3 years (P = 0.04), craniectomy (P = 0.06), and patients with fewer than 3 BM sites (P = 0.06). The majority of patients with BM had a telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutation, However, mutational status was not an independent predictor of survival. CONCLUSIONS For BM from DTC, time interval between DTC diagnosis and BM, number of BM sites, and craniectomy were independently associated with OS. Further studies are needed to define the role of genomic mutations in advanced cancer.
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16
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Kondraciuk JD, Rice SL, Zhou X, Gharzeddine K, Knezevic A, Spratt DE, Sabra M, Larson SM, Grewal RK, Osborne JR. Thyroid Cancer Bone Metastasis: Survival and Genomic Characteristics of a Large Tertiary Care Cohort. Clin Nucl Med 2019; 44:e465-e471. [PMID: 31274625 PMCID: PMC6621602 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000002626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Bone metastasis (BM) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the second most common site of metastasis after lung. Bone metastases are associated with worse prognosis in DTC. In this study, we examined risk factors for overall survival in patients with BM and for the first time explore the pattern of genomic alterations in DTC BM. PATIENTS AND METHODS A Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant, institutional review board-approved retrospective evaluation of the medical record was performed for all patients treated at a single institution for thyroid cancer over a 16-year period. Seventy-four patients met inclusion criteria. Multiple prognostic factors including age, sex, genes, radioactive iodine, and radiation or kinase inhibitor therapies were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS Treatment with external beam radiation was found to significantly increase survival (P = 0.03). The 5-year survival rate was 59% and median survival was 92 months. Patients who developed bone metastasis earlier tend to live longer (P = 0.06). The presence of TERT and BRAF mutations did not significantly worsen the prognosis (P = 0.10). CONCLUSION Patients with DTC can benefit from early treatment with external beam radiation therapy, especially those who develop bone metastasis within 3 years of primary TC diagnosis. Kinase inhibitor treatment tended to prolong survival but not in a statistically significant manner. Sex, age, and TERT or BRAF genetic mutations did not significantly affect the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samuel L. Rice
- Department of Radiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, NL
| | - Xiaosun Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Karem Gharzeddine
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Andrea Knezevic
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Daniel E. Spratt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mona Sabra
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Steven M. Larson
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY
- Center for Targeted Radioimmunotherapy and Theranostics, Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Radiology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY
| | - Ravinder K. Grewal
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Radiology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY
| | - Joseph R. Osborne
- Department of Radiology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY
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17
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Rossi ED, Faquin WC, Pantanowitz L. Cytologic features of aggressive variants of follicular-derived thyroid carcinoma. Cancer Cytopathol 2019; 127:432-446. [PMID: 31150164 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Certain carcinomas of the thyroid gland behave aggressively resulting in increased patient morbidity and poor patient prognosis. The diagnosis of these aggressive thyroid cancer subtypes is sometimes challenging and subject to increased interobserver variability. This review deals with the cytological features of such tumors including aggressive variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma, poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. These malignancies fall into 2 groups based on their cytomorphology: those that exhibit distinct microscopic features (eg, nuclear findings typical of classical papillary thyroid carcinoma or marked anaplasia) and those that present with more subtle cytologic features (eg, nuclear pseudostratification, "soap bubble" nuclei, supranuclear or subnuclear cytoplasmic vacuoles, rosette-like structures, hobnail cells). We review the literature regarding these aggressive thyroid cancers and highlight important phenotypic characteristics that can be useful for their diagnosis based on fine needle aspiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Diana Rossi
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - William C Faquin
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Liron Pantanowitz
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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18
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Dettmer MS, Schmitt A, Komminoth P, Perren A. [Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma : An underdiagnosed entity. German version]. DER PATHOLOGE 2019; 40:227-234. [PMID: 31093689 DOI: 10.1007/s00292-019-0613-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTCs) are a rare subtype of thyroid carcinomas that are biologically situated between well-differentiated papillary/follicular thyroid carcinomas and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATCs).The diagnosis of conventional as well as oncocytic poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma is difficult and often missed in daily routine. The current WHO criteria to allow the diagnosis of PDTCs are based on the results of a consensus meeting held in Turin in 2006. Even a minor poorly differentiated component of only 10% of a given carcinoma significantly affects patient prognosis and the oncocytic subtype may even have a worse outcome. Immunohistochemistry is not much help and is mostly used to exclude a medullary thyroid carcinoma with calcitonin and to establish a follicular cell of origin via thyroglobulin staining.Due to the concept of stepwise dedifferentiation, there is a vast overlap of different molecular alterations like BRAF, RAS, CTNNB1, TP53 and others between different thyroid carcinoma subtypes. A distinctive molecular tumor profile is therefore currently not available.PDTCs have a unique miRNA signature, which separates them from other thyroid carcinomas.The average relapse free survival is less than one year and about 50% of patients die of the disease. Modern tyrosine kinase inhibitors offer in conjunction with powerful molecular diagnostic new chances in these difficult to treat carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Dettmer
- Institut für Pathologie, Universität Bern, Murtenstraße 31, 3008, Bern, Schweiz.
| | - A Schmitt
- Institut für Pathologie, Universität Bern, Murtenstraße 31, 3008, Bern, Schweiz
| | - P Komminoth
- Institut für Pathologie, Stadtspital Triemli, Birmensdorferstraße 497, 8063, Zürich, Schweiz
| | - A Perren
- Institut für Pathologie, Universität Bern, Murtenstraße 31, 3008, Bern, Schweiz
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19
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Laforga JB, Cortés VA. Oncocytic poorly differentiated (insular) thyroid carcinoma mimicking metastatic adenocarcinoma. A case report and review of the literature. Diagn Cytopathol 2019; 47:584-588. [PMID: 30637975 DOI: 10.1002/dc.24147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We report the cytohistologic and immunohistochemical findings of an oncocytic variant of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma in a 76-year old man with a prior history of prostatic adenocarcinoma. The man complained of a palpable nodule in the right thyroid lobe and cervical lymph node. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in both cases yielded solid clusters of cells/insulae, microfollicles, and isolated atypical cells. Considering the patient's past history, an initial diagnosis of metastasis from prostate adenocarcinoma was considered. However, immunohistochemical staining of liquid-based cytology specimens (Thin-Prep) showed diffuse positive results for TTF-1 and thyroglobulin. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral neck dissection. Histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation showed a poorly differentiated oncocytic thyroid carcinoma with lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastases. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the immunocytochemical evaluation of this rare variant of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma using FNA and liquid based cytology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan B Laforga
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de Denia, Denia, Alicante, Spain
| | - Virginia A Cortés
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain
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20
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Nobile A, Ducry J, Vignot L, Bongiovanni M. Hazardous cross-reaction in a thyroid fine needle aspiration. Cytopathology 2018; 30:109-112. [PMID: 30125406 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Julien Ducry
- Department of Endocrinology, Cantonal Hospital Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Lucie Vignot
- Department of Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Massimo Bongiovanni
- Service of Clinical Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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21
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Poller DN. This month's Cytopathology. Cytopathology 2017; 28:453-454. [PMID: 29165887 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.12500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D N Poller
- Department of Pathology, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK
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