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Machens A, Lorenz K, Weber F, Dralle H. Origin and impact of multifocal growth in sporadic vs. hereditary medullary thyroid cancer. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY 2024; 50:108625. [PMID: 39213697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2024.108625] [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: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Multifocal growth is characteristic of hereditary medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), whereas origin and impact of multifocal growth is enigmatic for sporadic MTC. To address this, 460 RET-negative patients with sporadic MTC, stratified by 1 (93.3 %), 2 (5.7 %) and 3 (1.1 %) thyroid tumor foci, were compared with 219 RET-positive patients with hereditary MTC, stratified by 1 (38.4 %), 2 (45.7 %), 3 (6.4 %), 4 (6.8 %) and ≥5 (2.7 %) thyroid tumor foci. For sporadic MTC, significant associations were identified with bilateral thyroid lobe involvement, microscopic lymphatic invasion, extrathyroid extension, node and distant metastases, number of node metastases, preoperative basal calcitonin level, and decreasing biochemical cure. For hereditary MTC, significant associations were limited to bilateral thyroid lobe involvement, largest thyroid tumor diameter, and preoperative basal calcitonin level. In sporadic MTC, multifocal growth is due to lymphatic invasion with frequent node metastases, whereas in hereditary MTC, it reflects malignant progression from C-cell hyperplasia to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Machens
- Medical Faculty, Department of Visceral, Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, D-06097, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Kerstin Lorenz
- Medical Faculty, Department of Visceral, Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, D-06097, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Frank Weber
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Division of Endocrine Surgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Henning Dralle
- Medical Faculty, Department of Visceral, Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, D-06097, Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Division of Endocrine Surgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45122, Essen, Germany
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Guo F, Fu G, Li F, Hua Y, Wang Z, Zheng X, Zhao J, Gao M. Time Kinetics and prognosis roles of calcitonin after surgery for medullary thyroid carcinoma. World J Surg Oncol 2024; 22:121. [PMID: 38711029 PMCID: PMC11071271 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-024-03397-3] [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: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a malignant tumor with low incidence. Currently, most studies have focused on the prognostic risk factors of MTC, whatever, time kinetic and risk factors related to calcitonin normalization (CN) and biochemical persistence/recurrence (BP) are yet to be elucidated. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted for 190 MTC patients. Risk factors related to calcitonin normalization (CN) and biochemical persistence/recurrence (BP) were analyzed. The predictors of calcitonin normalization time (CNT) and biochemical persistent/recurrent time (BPT) were identified. Further, the prognostic roles of CNT and BPT were also demonstrated. RESULTS The 5- and 10-year DFS were 86.7% and 70.2%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year OS were 97.6% and 78.8%, respectively. CN was achieved in 120 (63.2%) patients, whereas BP was presented in 76 (40.0%) patients at the last follow up. After curative surgery, 39 (32.5%) and 106 (88.3%) patients achieved CN within 1 week and 1 month. All patients who failed to achieve CN turned to BP over time and 32/70 of them developed structural recurrence. The median time of CNT and BPT was 1 month (1 day to 84 months) and 6 month (3 day to 63months), respectively. LNR > 0.23 and male gender were independent predictors for CN and BP. LNR > 0.23 (Hazard ratio (HR), 0.24; 95% CI,0.13-0.46; P < 0.01) and male gender (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42-0.99; P = 0.045) were independent predictors for longer CNT. LNR > 0.23 (HR,5.10; 95% CI,2.15-12.11; P < 0.01) was still the strongest independent predictor followed by preoperative serum Ctn > 1400ng/L (HR,2.34; 95% CI,1.29-4.25; P = 0.005) for shorter BPT. In survival analysis, primary tumor size > 2 cm (HR, 5.81; 95% CI,2.20-15.38; P < 0.01), CNT > 1 month (HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 1.17-27.61; P = 0.031) and multifocality (HR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.45-6.65; P = 0.004) were independent predictor of DFS. CONCLUSION Early changes of Ctn after curative surgery can predict the long-term risks of biochemical and structural recurrence, which provide a useful real-time prognostic information. LNR significantly affect the time kinetic of biochemical prognosis. Tumor burden and CNT play a crucial role in MTC survival, the intensity of follow-up must be tailored accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengli Guo
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Guiming Fu
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Department of Thyroid-otolaryngology, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangxuan Li
- Department of cancer prevention, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yitong Hua
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Zhongyu Wang
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiangqian Zheng
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingzhu Zhao
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of General Surgery in construction, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China.
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Cohen O, Tzelnick S, Randolph G, Rinaldo A, Álvarez F, Rodrigo JP, Saba NF, Nuyts S, Corry J, Mäkitie AA, Vander Poorten V, Nathan CA, Piazza C, Ferlito A. Initial surgical management of sporadic medullary thyroid cancer: Guidelines based optimal care - A systematic review. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2024; 100:468-476. [PMID: 38472743 DOI: 10.1111/cen.15041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor from parafollicular cells that produce calcitonin (Ct). Despite several existing guidelines for the surgical management of sporadic MTC (sMTC), optimal initial surgical management of the thyroid, the central and the lateral neck remains a matter of debate. METHODS A systematic review in PubMed and Scopus for current guidelines addressing the surgical management of sMTC and its referenced citations was conducted as per the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS Two-hundred and one articles were identified, of which 7 met the inclusion criteria. Overall, guidelines vary significantly in their recommendations for the surgical management of sMTC. Only one guideline recommended partial thyroidectomy for limited disease, but the possibility to avoid completion thyroidectomy in selected cases is acknowledged in 42% (3/7) of the remaining guidelines. The majority of guidelines (71.4%; 5/7) recommended prophylactic central neck dissection (CND) for all patients while the remaining two guidelines recommended CND based on Ct level and tumor size. The role of prophylactic lateral neck dissection based on preoperative Ct levels was recommended by 42% (3/7) of guidelines. Overall, these guidelines are based on low-quality evidence, mostly single-center retrospective series, some of which are over 20 years old. CONCLUSION Current surgical management guidelines of sMTC should be revised, and ought to be based on updated data challenging current recommendations, which are based on historic, low-quality evidence. Partial thyroidectomy may become a viable option for small, limited tumors. Prospective, multi-center studies may be useful to conclude whether prophylactic ND is necessary in all sMTC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oded Cohen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Ashdod, Israel
| | - Sharon Tzelnick
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory Randolph
- Division of Otolaryngology-Endocrine Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Fernando Álvarez
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sandra Nuyts
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - June Corry
- Department Radiation Oncology, GenesisCare St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Antti A Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Research Program in Systems Oncology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincent Vander Poorten
- Section Head and Neck Oncology, Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Cherie-Ann Nathan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University-Health Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Cesare Piazza
- Department of Surgical and Medical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, Unit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alfio Ferlito
- Coordinator of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy
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Caillé S, Debreuve-Theresette A, Vitellius G, Deguelte S, La Manna L, Zalzali M. Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Epidemiology and Characteristics According to Data From the Marne-Ardennes Register 1975-2018. J Endocr Soc 2024; 8:bvae084. [PMID: 38745826 PMCID: PMC11091837 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvae084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Context Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare disease. Objective The main objective of our study was to analyze the incidence evolution of MTC with a follow-up of more than 40 years. Further, a descriptive and survival analysis was performed according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Design Setting and Patients This is a retrospective epidemiological study using data from the Marne-Ardennes registry from 1975 to 2018. Two hundred sixty patients with MTC were included. Main Outcome Measures The incidence was calculated in the territory of the register (Marne and Ardennes departments of France) and standardized on the demographic structure of France. Patient and tumor characteristics were described. An analysis in a subgroup comparing hereditary and sporadic forms was performed. An analysis of survival was performed. Results The standardized incidence shows an increasing trend over time. The incidence increased significantly from 0.41 to 0.57/100 000 person-years between 1986 and 1996 and 2008 and 2018. The MTC was hereditary in 21.2% of cases. The sex ratio (males:females) was 0.73. The average age at diagnosis was 53 years. Ninety-seven patients (37.3%) were N1, 26 (10%) were M1, and 56 (21.5%) developed metastases during the follow-up. Complete remission was obtained in 58.5% of patients. The disease was refractory for 18.1% of patients. The 5-year survival rate was 88.4%. Sporadic cases had a poorer prognosis than hereditary MTC. Conclusion Our study demonstrates a moderate increase in the incidence of MTC between 1975 and 2018. The prognosis remains worse for sporadic MTC than for hereditary MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Caillé
- Godinot Institute, Reims, France
- Robert Debré University Hospital Center, Reims, France
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Rizzo A, Albano D, Dondi F, Cioffi M, Muoio B, Annunziata S, Racca M, Bertagna F, Piccardo A, Treglia G. Diagnostic yield of FAP-guided positron emission tomography in thyroid cancer: a systematic review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1381863. [PMID: 38590320 PMCID: PMC10999586 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1381863] [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: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Several recent studies have proposed the possible application of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) administering radiolabelled fibroblast-activation protein (FAP) inhibitors for various forms of thyroid cancer (TC), including differentiated TC (DTC), and medullary TC (MTC). Methods The authors conducted an extensive literature search of original studies examining the effectiveness of FAP-guided PET/CT in patients with TC. The papers included were original publications exploring the use of FAP-targeted molecular imaging in restaging metastatic DTC and MTC patients. Results A total of 6 studies concerning the diagnostic yield of FAP-targeted PET/CT in TC (274 patients, of which 247 DTC and 27 MTC) were included in this systematic review. The included articles reported high values of FAP-targeted PET/CT detection rates in TC, ranging from 81 to 100% in different anatomical sites and overall superior to the comparative imaging method. Conclusion Although there are promising results, the existing literature on the diagnostic accuracy of FAP-guided PET in this context is still quite limited. To thoroughly evaluate its potential significance in TC patients, it is needed to conduct prospective randomized multicentric trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Rizzo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO – IRCCS, Turin, Italy
| | - Domenico Albano
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Martina Cioffi
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Muoio
- Clinic of Medical Oncology, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Salvatore Annunziata
- Unità di Medicina Nucleare, GSTeP Radiopharmacy - TracerGLab, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Racca
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO – IRCCS, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Bertagna
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Arnoldo Piccardo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, E.O. “Ospedali Galliera,” Genoa, Italy
| | - Giorgio Treglia
- Clinic of Nuclear Medicine, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
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6
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Shaha AR, Davies L, Tuttle RM. Precision Thyroidectomy in Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Cancer. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 150:215-216. [PMID: 38270970 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2023.4600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashok R Shaha
- Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Louise Davies
- Department of Veterans Affairs, The VA Outcomes Group, White River Junction, Vermont
- Department of Surgery-Otolaryngology and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - R Michael Tuttle
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Mao YV, Hughes EG, Steinmetz D, Troob S, Kim J, Tseng CH, Fishbein GA, Sajed DP, Livhits MJ, Yeh MW, Lee D, Angell TE, Wu JX. Extent of Surgery for Medullary Thyroid Cancer and Prevalence of Occult Contralateral Foci. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 150:209-214. [PMID: 38270925 PMCID: PMC10811588 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2023.4376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Importance Standard treatment for patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) consists of total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection, but the rationale for bilateral surgery in patients with unilateral disease on ultrasonography remains unclear. Objective To determine the presence of occult contralateral disease (lesions not seen on preoperative ultrasonography) in patients with MTC as a rationale for total thyroidectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants This multi-institutional, retrospective cohort study was conducted from September 1998 to April 2022 in academic medical centers and included patients with MTC who underwent thyroidectomy with preoperative imaging. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was the prevalence of sonographically occult foci of MTC in the contralateral lobe among patients with sporadic MTC. Results The cohort comprised 176 patients with a median age at diagnosis of 55 years (range, 2-87 years), 69 (57.6%) of whom were female. Genetic testing was performed in 109 patients (61.9%), 48 (27.5%) of whom carried germline RET variants. Initial surgical management consisted of total thyroidectomy (161 [91.0%]), lobectomy followed by completion thyroidectomy (7 [4.0%]), and lobectomy alone (8 [4.5%]). Central and lateral neck dissections were performed as part of initial therapy for 146 patients (83.1%). In the entire cohort of 176 patients, 46 (26.0%) had contralateral foci disease and 9 (5.1%) had occult contralateral foci that were not identified on preoperative ultrasonography. Among 109 patients who underwent genetic testing, 38 (34.9%) had contralateral disease, 8 (7.3%) of whom had occult contralateral disease not seen on preoperative ultrasonography. Patients with sporadic MTC experienced a 95.7% reduction in the odds of having a focus of MTC in the contralateral lobe compared with patients with a germline RET variant (odds ratio, 0.043; 95% CI, 0.013-0.123). When adjusting for age, sex, tumor size, and lymph node involvement, the odds ratio of having contralateral MTC in patients with sporadic disease was 0.034 (95% CI, 0.007-0.116). Among patients who underwent lobectomy alone with postoperative calcitonin levels, 5 of 12 (41.7%) achieved undetectable calcitonin levels (<2.0 pg/mL; to convert to pmol/L, multiply by 0.292). Conclusions and Relevance The results of this cohort study suggest that a staged approach involving initial thyroid lobectomy could be considered in patients with sporadic MTC and no contralateral ultrasonography findings, with no further surgery if calcitonin levels became undetectable. Further work using prospective randomized clinical trials to evaluate lobectomy as a biochemical cure in patients presenting with unilateral disease is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan V. Mao
- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Elena G. Hughes
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - David Steinmetz
- Division of Metabolic, Endocrine, and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Samantha Troob
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Jiyoon Kim
- Department of Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Chi-Hong Tseng
- Department of Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Gregory A. Fishbein
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Dipti P. Sajed
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Masha J. Livhits
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael W. Yeh
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Denise Lee
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Trevor E. Angell
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
| | - James X. Wu
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
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Imperiale A, Berti V, Burgy M, Cazzato RL, Piccardo A, Treglia G. Molecular imaging and related therapeutic options for medullary thyroid carcinoma: state of the art and future opportunities. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2024; 25:187-202. [PMID: 37715050 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-023-09836-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Due to its rarity and non-specific clinical presentation, accurate diagnosis, and optimal therapeutic strategy of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) remain challenging. Molecular imaging provides valuable tools for early disease detection, monitoring treatment response, and guiding personalized therapies. By enabling the visualization of molecular and cellular processes, these techniques contribute to a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of more effective clinical interventions. Different nuclear imaging techniques have been studied for assessing MTC, and among them, PET/CT utilizing multiple radiotracers has emerged as the most effective imaging method in clinical practice. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current use of advanced molecular imaging modalities, with a particular focus on PET/CT, for the management of patients with MTC. It aims to guide physicians towards a rationale for the use of molecular imaging also including theranostic approaches and novel therapeutical opportunities. Overall, we emphasize the evolving role of nuclear medicine in MTC. The integration of diagnostics and therapeutics by in vivo molecular imaging represents a major opportunity to personalize treatment for individual patients, with targeted radionuclide therapy being one representative example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Imperiale
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Institut de Cancérologie de Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Strasbourg University Hospitals, Strasbourg, France.
- Molecular Imaging, DRHIM, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), UMR7178, CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Valentina Berti
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences 'Mario Serio', University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mickaël Burgy
- Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie de Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Strasbourg, France
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, Illkirch, 67401, France
| | - Roberto Luigi Cazzato
- Interventional Radiology, Strasbourg University Hospitals, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - Arnoldo Piccardo
- Nuclear Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giorgio Treglia
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
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Park H, Ryu HJ, Heo J, Chung MK, Son YI, Kim JH, Hahn SY, Shin JH, Oh YL, Kim SW, Chung JH, Kim JS, Kim TH. Preoperative identification of low-risk medullary thyroid carcinoma: potential application to reduce total thyroidectomy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15663. [PMID: 37730953 PMCID: PMC10511442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42907-3] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Current guidelines recommend total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection (CND) for patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). This study aimed to identify low-risk MTC patients who may be candidates for lobectomy. We retrospectively reviewed MTC patients who underwent primary surgery at a tertiary referral center from 1998 to 2019. Eighty-five MTC patients were enrolled, excluding patients with primary tumor size > 2.0 cm. Among them, one (1.2%) patient had bilateral tumors. During a median follow-up of 84 months, 12 of the 85 patients experienced structural recurrence. 13 patients had occult lymph node metastasis, and structural recurrence occurred in 2 patients. Factors that significantly affected disease-free survival were clinical N stage (cN0 vs. cN1, log-rank P < 0.001), pathological N stage (pN0 vs. pN1, P < 0.001), and preoperative calcitonin levels (≤ 250 vs. > 250 pg/mL, P = 0.017). After categorizing patients into four groups, patients with preoperative calcitonin levels > 250 pg/mL and cN1 or pN1 had a significantly worse prognosis. Patients with a primary tumor size of 2 cm or less, cN0, and preoperative calcitonin of 250 pg/mL or less can be classified as low-risk MTC patients. We used preoperative clinical information to identify low-risk MTC patients. Lobectomy with prophylactic CND may be a potential therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunju Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Hyun Jin Ryu
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Thyroid Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 115 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06355, Korea
| | - Jung Heo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Korea
| | - Man Ki Chung
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Ik Son
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Han Kim
- Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
| | - Soo Yeon Hahn
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Hee Shin
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Lyun Oh
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Wook Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Thyroid Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 115 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06355, Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Chung
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Thyroid Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 115 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06355, Korea
| | - Jee Soo Kim
- Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea.
| | - Tae Hyuk Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Thyroid Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 115 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06355, Korea.
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10
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Cao ZX, Weng X, Huang JS, Long X. Prognostic value of LODDS in medullary thyroid carcinoma based on competing risk model and propensity score matching analysis. Updates Surg 2022; 74:1551-1562. [PMID: 35821560 DOI: 10.1007/s13304-022-01320-7] [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: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) is an independent prognostic factor for patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, the optimal cutoff value for LODDS needs to be further confirmed, and previous studies have ignored the prevalent competing events of non-cancer deaths among patients with MTC, thus possibly overestimating the risk of death from cancer. The information of patients with MTC who underwent total thyroidectomy was collected from SEER database. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to determine the optimal cutoff for LODDS. Moreover, patients' overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were determined using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazards model. The competing risk models (CRM) were used to reduce the effect of competing events, and propensity score matching was performed to balance the confounding factors between groups. The cutoff value of LODDS determined by RCS was - 1.004, and a total of 2314 patients with MTC were recruited. In the CRM after PSM, factors such as age over 55 years at diagnosis, being male, treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, unknown tumor size, and LODDS > - 1.004 were significantly associated with poor prognosis of patients both in univariate and multivariate analyses, while the presence of multifocal tumor indicated better prognosis. Patients with MTC who were over 55 years old at diagnosis, were male, received chemotherapy or radiation, had an unclear initial tumor size, and had LODDS > - 1.004 had a worse prognosis than patients with multifocal tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Xu Cao
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Weng
- Hunan Sixth Engineering Company Construction Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiang Sheng Huang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xia Long
- Hospital Office, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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11
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Jayasinghe R, Basnayake O, Jayarajah U, Seneviratne S. Management of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid: a review. J Int Med Res 2022; 50:3000605221110698. [PMID: 35822284 PMCID: PMC9284230 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221110698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is an uncommon malignancy of neuroendocrine
origin derived from the parafollicular C cells. Although infrequent, the
interest in this cancer exceeds its incidence owing to its distinctive features
and its characteristic association with other endocrine tumors. Although the
majority of MTCs are sporadic, hereditary varieties occur in isolation or as a
part of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome (MEN 2). Currently,
complete surgical resection of the tumor and nodal metastases with a curative
intent remains the mainstay of therapy. The role of adjuvant therapy is limited,
although radiotherapy and newer targeted therapies are routinely used for
metastatic disease. The lack of consensus in the available guidance regarding
the most appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic and follow-up strategies has caused
substantial variability in clinical practice. Therefore, this review summarizes
the latest available evidence and guidelines on the management of MTC with an
emphasis on diagnosis, surgical treatment and follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindri Jayasinghe
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Oshan Basnayake
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Umesh Jayarajah
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
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12
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Zhang J, Gu P, Huang D, Zhao J, Zheng X, Gao M. Surgical selection and prognostic analysis in patients with unilateral sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2022; 407:3013-3023. [PMID: 35748956 DOI: 10.1007/s00423-022-02591-9] [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: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The extent of thyroid surgery and cervical lymph node dissection of unilateral sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (sMTC) is still controversial, and the aim of this study was to investigate whether hemithyroidectomy was adequate as a locally curative surgery for patients with unilateral sMTC. METHODS This study is a retrospective case series of patients with sMTC who underwent curative total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy in our institution from January 2011 to December 2019. RESULTS In total, 129 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled including 49 (38.0%) patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and 80 (62.0%) patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy. About 80 (62.0%) patients achieved a biochemical cure (BC), whereas there was no significant difference between two groups in biochemical cure rate (61.2% versus 62.5%, P = 0.885). A logistic regression analysis showed a strong negative correlation between the factors of preoperative calcitonin level and pTNM stage and biochemical cure. In the log-rank test, no significant difference in OS (P = 0.314) and DFS (P = 0.409) was found between the two surgical groups. Lateral cervical lymph node metastasis and pTNM stage were significant prognostic factors affecting DFS in univariate analysis; moreover, absence of biochemical cure, tumor size ≥ 4 cm and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors of unilateral sMTC patients in our analysis. CONCLUSION For patients with unilateral sMTC, hemithyroidectomy was adequate as a locally curative surgery, because the patients underwent total thyroidectomy did not benefit more from it in the aspects of BC/OS/RFS, while the postoperative increasing incidence rate of postoperative hypocalcemia could not improve patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Pengfei Gu
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Dongmei Huang
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jingzhu Zhao
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiangqian Zheng
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.,Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of General Surgery Inconstruction, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
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13
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Green K, Hintze J, O'Neill JP. Surgical aspects and controversies in the management of medullary thyroid cancer. Ir J Med Sci 2022; 191:2461-2466. [PMID: 35064534 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-021-02886-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) accounts for only 4% of thyroid carcinomas but 15% of thyroid cancer deaths. MTC is a tumour of the calcitonin secreting parafollicular C cells in the thyroid which can occur sporadically or be hereditary in multiple endocrine neoplasias type 2 syndromes due to germline RET mutations. Sporadic forms of MTC can also be caused by mutations in the RET protooncogene. MTC commonly presents in a late stage, with 70% of patients presenting with local nodal metastasis. Currently, the only curative treatment for MTC is surgical removal. The aim of this paper is to describe the current guidelines and progressions of the surgical management of MTC and to highlight up-and-coming chemotherapies. A database literature review was completed utilizing PubMed to cumulate the extant literature, screening for most recent guidelines and publications regarding the management of MTC. Current guidelines were described by the American Thyroid Association in 2015. Controversial publications continue to present supporting evidence for varying degrees of thyroidectomy and neck dissections. Recently, researchers have been exploring non-surgical options including external beam radiotherapy and multikinase inhibitors such as vandetanib and cabozantinib for the treatment of MTC. Surgical management of MTC remains controversial and varies significantly dependent on the extent of disease. Chemotherapeutic options have undetermined effects on survival to date.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justin Hintze
- Department of Otolaryngology, Beaumont Hospital, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - James Paul O'Neill
- Department of Otolaryngology, Beaumont Hospital, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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14
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Jiao Z, Wu T, Jiang M, Jiang S, Jiang K, Peng J, Luo G, Yu Y, Chen W, Yang A. Early postoperative calcitonin-to-preoperative calcitonin ratio as a predictive marker for structural recurrence in sporadic medullary thyroid cancer: A retrospective study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1094242. [PMID: 36589824 PMCID: PMC9800993 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1094242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcitonin (Ctn) is widely used as a marker in the diagnosis, prognosis, and postoperative follow-up of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The prognostic value of postoperative calcitonin-to-preoperative calcitonin ratio (CR), reflecting the change in Ctn level of response to initial treatment, remains uncertain in long-term disease outcomes. This study aims to determine the cut-off value of CR for predicting structural recurrence and assess the prognostic role of CR in patients with MTC. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients with MTC in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) between 2000 and 2022. CR is defined as the ratio of postoperative Ctn level on the day of discharge divided by preoperative Ctn level. In order to determine the optimal cut-off value of CR, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. We evaluate the effect of CR on recurrence-free survival (RFS) by using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis. Then, a nomogram based on CR was constructed. RESULTS In total, 112 sporadic MTC patients were included in this study. The optimal cut-off value of CR that predicted disease recurrence was 0.125. Patients with CR≥0.125 showed significantly worse RFS than patients with CR <0.125, respectively (3-years RFS rate of 63.1 vs. 94.7%, 5-years RFS rate of 50.7 vs. 90.3%, P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, CR was the strongest independent predictor of structural recurrence (HR: 5.050, 95% CI: 2.247-11.349, P <0.001). Tumor size (HR: 1.321, 95% CI: 1.010-1.726, P =0.042), multifocality (HR: 2.258, 95% CI: 1.008-5.058, P =0.048) and metastasized lymph nodes (HR: 3.793, 95% CI: 1.617-8.897, P <0.001) were also independent predictors of structural recurrence. The uncorrected concordance index (c-index) of the nomogram was 0.827 (95% CI, 0.729-0.925) for RFS, and bias-corrected c-index were similar. As compared to TNM stage, the nomogram based on CR provided better discrimination accuracy. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that CR is a strong prognostic marker to predict structural recurrence in patients with sporadic MTC. The nomogram incorporating CR provided useful prediction of RFS for patients with sporadic MTC to provide personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zan Jiao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingjie Jiang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuxian Jiang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke Jiang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Peng
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangfeng Luo
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongchao Yu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weichao Chen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Weichao Chen, ; Ankui Yang,
| | - Ankui Yang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Weichao Chen, ; Ankui Yang,
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15
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Carcinoembryonic Antigen Increase in a Patient with Colon Cancer Who Have Achieved Complete Remission and Negative 18F-FDG PET/CT: Don't Forget the Thyroid! ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:2987-2992. [PMID: 34436027 PMCID: PMC8395414 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28040261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker especially used to follow a patient with colorectal cancer. However, it is non-specific and could be increased in several cancers and some benign conditions. We report the case of a 70-year-old man followed since 2014 for a left colon adenocarcinoma with the persistence of an increased CEA. There was no evidence of recurrence, but a right lobar thyroid nodule without a significantly increased uptake was incidentally discovered on the CT scan of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT. We suspected a medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) explaining the persistent elevation of CEA. Plasma calcitonin levels were 47 ng/L (N < 10). Fine needle aspiration cytology found atypia of undetermined significance and the patient was reluctant to undergo surgery without any further exploration. We performed a 18F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-FDOPA) PET/CT preoperatively which revealed a punctiform focus of the right thyroid lobe corresponding to a pT1aN1aMxR0 medullary thyroid carcinoma, histopathologically confirmed. This case highlights that despite the potential usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in case of an unknown source of elevated CEA this imaging may be falsely negative as in the case of MTC and should lead to further explorations.
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16
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Abstract
Improvements in preoperative diagnostic modalities in conjunction with highly sensitive calcitonin assays, ultrasound and functional imaging modalities and differentiated genetic testing for detection of hereditary forms, have enabled detection and resection of medullary thyroid carcinoma at an increasingly earlier stage. These developments open up possibilities to deescalate primary surgery adapted to these stages and avoid surgical overtreatment in locally limited tumor growth: thus, promoting a shift from routinely recommended total thyroidectomy with bilateral central lymph node dissection in favor of limited unilateral thyroid resection. Prerequisites for limited thyroid resection include clinical evidence that the tumor is sporadic, unifocal and confined to the thyroid. Corresponding calcitonin levels should also indicate that a biochemical cure will be achieved after unilateral resection. A decisive structural prerequisite for such a limited concept is the low threshold availability of intraoperative frozen section analysis that reliably detects and evaluates a medullary thyroid carcinoma and can assess a breach of the thyroid capsule and desmoplasia with certainty.
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17
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Al-Qurayshi Z, Foggia MJ, Pagedar N, Lee GS, Tufano R, Kandil E. Thyroid cancer histological subtypes based on tumor size: National perspective. Head Neck 2020; 42:2257-2266. [PMID: 32275122 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26159] [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: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid tumor size is an important prognostic factor. The aim of this study is to examine the histological subtypes and management of thyroid cancer based on tumor size (≤4 cm vs >4 cm). METHODS Retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Cancer Database, 2004-2014. RESULTS A total of 152 387 patients were included, 13 614 (8.9%) of whom had a tumor size >4 cm. Histological subtypes of tumors >4 cm were: 69.6% papillary thyroid carcinoma, 17.5% FTC, 7.9% HCC, and 2.8% medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). High-volume hospitals for thyroid surgery were less likely to perform two-stage thyroidectomy, particularly for tumors ≤4 cm. Low-volume hospitals had a higher risk of staged thyroidectomy for MTC ≤4 cm (19.8%) compared with high-volume hospitals (8.7%) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS This study describes the prevalence of thyroid cancer subtypes. In the era of a conservative approach to differentiated thyroid carcinoma, there could be a potential increase in the risk of staged thyroidectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid Al-Qurayshi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Megan J Foggia
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Nitin Pagedar
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Grace S Lee
- Endocrine and Oncological Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ralph Tufano
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Emad Kandil
- Endocrine and Oncological Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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18
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Controversies in the surgical management of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020; 28:68-73. [PMID: 32011397 DOI: 10.1097/moo.0000000000000612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) represents a wide spectrum of tumours with differing biology, behaviour and natural history. The only current available curative treatment is surgery in the form of thyroidectomy with or without ipsilateral or bilateral neck dissection. There is a lack of consensus in the available published guidelines on the optimum extent of initial surgery, and there is significant variation in clinical practice. This review focuses on the most recently published evidence. RECENT FINDINGS Many patients with limited disease do not receive total thyroidectomy and central neck compartment dissection as recommended by international guidelines. Despite this, 5-year disease-specific survival is over 90% in those without distant metastases at presentation. Over 20% of patients may harbour occult lateral compartment nodal metastases, and baseline calcitonin alone (>1000 pg/ml) is not a good predictor of nodal metastasis. Although delayed lateral neck compartment dissection results in similar survival outcomes to prophylactic neck dissection for clinically node-negative patients, there is an underappreciated psychological effect of having biochemical evidence of persistent disease following limited surgery. SUMMARY No single currently available prognostic indicator is sufficient to predict disease behaviour and evidence of occult nodal metastases. In clinically ad radiologically node-negative patients, the extent of neck dissection at initial operation, therefore, needs to be planned and executed on an individual patient basis.
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19
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Kuo EJ, Sho S, Li N, Zanocco KA, Yeh MW, Livhits MJ. Risk Factors Associated With Reoperation and Disease-Specific Mortality in Patients With Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. JAMA Surg 2019; 153:52-59. [PMID: 28973144 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.3555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance The association of initial neck dissection with recurrence in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) has not been evaluated on a population level to date. Objective To elucidate risk factors associated with reoperation in MTC and disease-specific mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective analysis was performed of hospital data obtained from the California Cancer Registry and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2012. The dates of the analysis were January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2012. A population-based sample of 953 patients with MTC was identified. Patients who underwent thyroid surgery and had a minimum postoperative follow-up of 2 years (n = 609) were included in the analysis. Exposure Initial neck dissection in MTC. Main Outcomes and Measures Recurrent MTC leading to reoperation and disease-specific mortality. Results Of the 609 patients with MTC who underwent thyroid surgery, the mean (SD) patient age at diagnosis was 52.6 (17.5) years, and 60.8% (n = 370) of the patients were female. The mean (SD) tumor size was 2.8 (2.0) cm. Although initial central neck dissection is recommended by published MTC guidelines, only 35.5% (216 of 609) of patients underwent central neck dissection at the time of the initial thyroidectomy. The rate of reoperation was 16.3% (99 of 609), and the median time to reoperation was 6.4 months. The presence of lymph node metastasis increased the risk of reoperation (hazard ratio [HR], 3.43; 95% CI, 2.00-5.90), while central and lateral neck dissection performed at the initial operation was protective (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30-0.93). In patients who underwent reoperation, 45.5% (45 of 99) were disease free at a median follow-up of 7.7 years. Five-year disease-specific mortality for the entire cohort was 13.5% (82 of 609). Independent risk factors for disease-specific mortality included older age (HR, 1.36 per decade; 95% CI, 1.17-1.59), tumor size greater than 2 cm (HR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.08-7.44 for >2 to 4 cm and HR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.09-7.71 for >4 cm), and regional (HR, 4.77; 95% CI, 2.29-9.94) and metastatic (HR, 21.08; 95% CI, 9.90-44.89) disease. Reoperation was not associated with increased mortality. Conclusions and Relevance Lymph node dissection may decrease recurrence leading to reoperation for patients with MTC. Reoperation is a viable strategy to achieve long-term disease-free survival in appropriately selected patients. Central neck dissection remains underused.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Kuo
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Shonan Sho
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Biomathematics, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Kyle A Zanocco
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Michael W Yeh
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Masha J Livhits
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
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20
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Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is rare but aggressive. It can be cured only if intrathyroid at diagnosis. MTC can be sporadic (75%) or familial (25%) and the 2 forms are distinguished by RET mutations analysis. Calcitonin is the specific serum marker; its doubling time is the most important prognostic factor for survival and progression; 30% of MTC patients have distant metastases at diagnosis and, when progressing, systemic therapy with vandetanib or cabozantinib should be considered. Before starting this treatment, the possibility of using a local treatment should be evaluated to delay systemic therapy. A multidisciplinary team should care for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Viola
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Rossella Elisei
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa 56124, Italy.
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21
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Martins-Costa MC, Lindsey SC, Cunha LL, Carreiro-Filho FP, Cortez AP, Holanda ME, Farias JWMD, Lima SB, Ferreira LAA, Maia Filho PC, Camacho CP, Furuzawa GK, Kunii IS, Dias-da-Silva MR, Martins JRM, Maciel RMB. A pioneering RET genetic screening study in the State of Ceará, Brazil, evaluating patients with medullary thyroid cancer and at-risk relatives: experience with 247 individuals. ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2019; 62:623-635. [PMID: 30624503 PMCID: PMC10118677 DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Initial diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is frequently associated with advanced stages and a poor prognosis. Thus, the need for earlier diagnoses and detection in relatives at risk for the disease has led to increased use of RET genetic screening. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We performed RET screening in 247 subjects who were referred to the Brazilian Research Consortium for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (BRASMEN) Center in the State of Ceará. Direct genetic sequencing was used to analyze exons 8, 10, 11, and 13-16 in MTC index cases and specific exons in at risk relatives. Afterward, clinical follow-up was offered to all the patients with MTC and their affected relatives. RESULTS RET screening was performed in 60 MTC index patients and 187 at-risk family members. At the initial clinical assessment of the index patients, 54 (90%) were diagnosed with apparently sporadic disease and 6 (10%) diagnosed with hereditary disease. After RET screening, we found that 31 (52%) index patients had sporadic disease, and 29 (48%) had hereditary disease. Regarding at-risk relatives, 73/187 were mutation carriers. Mutations in RET codon 804 and the rare p.M918V mutation were the most prevalent. CONCLUSIONS Performing RET screening in Ceará allowed us to identify a different mutation profile in this region compared with other areas. RET screening also enabled the diagnosis of a significant number of hereditary MTC patients who were initially classified as sporadic disease patients and benefited their relatives, who were unaware of the risks and the consequences of bearing a RET mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cecília Martins-Costa
- Centro de Doenças da Tiroide e Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Centro de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Hospital Geral de Fortaleza (HGF), Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.,Departamento de Medicina, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - Susan C Lindsey
- Centro de Doenças da Tiroide e Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Lucas L Cunha
- Centro de Doenças da Tiroide e Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | - André P Cortez
- Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.,Hospital Geral Dr. César Cals, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | | | - J Wilson M de Farias
- Departamento de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.,Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - Sérgio B Lima
- Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - Luís A Albano Ferreira
- Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.,Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | | | - Cléber P Camacho
- Centro de Doenças da Tiroide e Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Gilberto K Furuzawa
- Centro de Doenças da Tiroide e Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Ilda S Kunii
- Centro de Doenças da Tiroide e Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Magnus R Dias-da-Silva
- Centro de Doenças da Tiroide e Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - João R M Martins
- Centro de Doenças da Tiroide e Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Divisão de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Rui M B Maciel
- Centro de Doenças da Tiroide e Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Divisão de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Fleury Medicina e Saúde, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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22
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Hirsch D, Twito O, Levy S, Bachar G, Robenshtok E, Gross DJ, Mazeh H, Benbassat C, Grozinsky-Glasberg S. Temporal Trends in the Presentation, Treatment, and Outcome of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: An Israeli Multicenter Study. Thyroid 2018; 28:369-376. [PMID: 29402183 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2017.0371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The widespread use of neck sonography in recent years has led to a dramatic increase in the detection of thyroid cancer, accompanied by changes in the clinicopathologic features of the disease. However, small papillary carcinomas account for the bulk of this increase, while little is known about temporal changes in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The aim of this study was to evaluate trends in the presentation, treatment, and outcome of MTC. METHODS Patients treated for MTC at four medical centers in Israel were divided into three groups by year of diagnosis: 19811995 (period A), 1996-2005 (period B), and 2006-2016 (period C). Clinicopathologic and survival data were collected retrospectively from the medical files and compared between the groups. RESULTS The cohort included 182 patients (54.9% female) with a mean age of 49.2 ± 18.7 years: 43 (23.6%) diagnosed in period A, 54 (29.7%) in period B, and 85 (46.7%) in period C. No significant differences were found between the groups in primary tumor size (25.7 ± 18.9 mm, 26.6 ± 18 mm, and 23.7 ± 17.6 mm, respectively), proportion of micro-MTC (30.8%, 20.0%, and 25.3%, respectively), or TNM staging. Age at diagnosis significantly increased over time (38.7 ± 17.2 years, 51.7 ± 18.4 years, and 53.7 ± 17.7 years, respectively; p < 0.001), and the rate of familial MTC significantly decreased (41.9%, 14.8%, and 8.2%, respectively; p = 0.002). Although the implementation of cervical lymph node dissection increased (62.1%, 78.4%, and 85%, respectively; p = 0.01), detection of metastatic lymph nodes decreased from 88.9% in period A to 65.0% in periods B and C (p = 0.06). There was no difference between the groups in disease-specific survival or disease-free state at one year from diagnosis (37.5%, 43.1%, and 50%, respectively) and last follow-up (27%, 41.2%, and 48%, respectively). Similar findings on MTC presentation and outcomes were obtained when only patients with non-familial MTC were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS Unlike differentiated thyroid cancer, most of the presenting features of MTC have not changed over time. The most significant temporal change is a decreased rate of familial MTC. Despite more extensive surgery and the use of new treatment modalities in recent years, significant improvement in disease-related outcomes were not found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dania Hirsch
- 1 Institute of Endocrinology, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital , Petach Tikva, Israel
- 2 Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Orit Twito
- 2 Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel
- 3 Institute of Endocrinology, Meir Medical Center , Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Sigal Levy
- 4 School of Behavioral Sciences, Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gideon Bachar
- 2 Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel
- 5 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital , Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Eyal Robenshtok
- 1 Institute of Endocrinology, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital , Petach Tikva, Israel
- 2 Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - David J Gross
- 6 Neuroendocrine Tumor Unit, Endocrinology and Metabolism Service, Department of Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center , Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Haggi Mazeh
- 7 Department of Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center , Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Carlos Benbassat
- 2 Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel
- 8 Endocrine Institute, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center , Zerifin, Israel
| | - Simona Grozinsky-Glasberg
- 6 Neuroendocrine Tumor Unit, Endocrinology and Metabolism Service, Department of Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center , Jerusalem, Israel
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23
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Guilmette J, Nosé V. Hereditary and familial thyroid tumours. Histopathology 2017; 72:70-81. [DOI: 10.1111/his.13373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vania Nosé
- Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA USA
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24
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Zafon C, Díez JJ, Galofré JC, Cooper DS. Nodular Thyroid Disease and Thyroid Cancer in the Era of Precision Medicine. Eur Thyroid J 2017; 6:65-74. [PMID: 28589087 PMCID: PMC5422742 DOI: 10.1159/000457793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of thyroid nodules, one of the main clinical challenges in endocrine clinical practice, is usually straightforward. Although the most important concern is ruling out malignancy, there are grey areas where uncertainty is frequently present: the nodules labelled as indeterminate by cytology and the extent of therapy when thyroid cancer is diagnosed pathologically. There is evidence that the current available precision medicine tools (from all the "-omics" to molecular analysis, fine-tuning imaging or artificial intelligence) may help to fill present gaps in the future. We present here a commentary on some of the current challenges faced by endocrinologists in the field of thyroid nodules and cancer, and illustrate how precision medicine may improve their diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carles Zafon
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, and Diabetes and Metabolism Research Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and CIBERDEM (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan J. Díez
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan C. Galofré
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA (Instituto de investigación en la salud de Navarra), Pamplona, Spain
- *Dr. Juan C. Galofré, Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarro, Avenida Pio XII, 36, ES-31080 Pamplona (Spain), E-Mail
| | - David S. Cooper
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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