scholarly journals Molecular mutations as a possible factor for determining extent of thyroid surgery

Author(s):  
Joshua R. Krasner ◽  
Nourah Alyouha ◽  
Marc Pusztaszeri ◽  
Veronique-Isabelle Forest ◽  
Michael P. Hier ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Molecular testing of thyroid nodules is a diagnostic tool used to better understand the nature of thyroid nodules. The aim of this study is to better comprehend the relationship between specific mutations and aggressive behavior of the tumour as demonstrated on postoperative pathological analysis. Methods A retrospective chart review of 103 cases was performed. Included were patients who had undergone molecular testing using a panel that tests for 9 mutations (ThyGenX®) and were found to have malignant tumours. The following gene alterations were found pre-operatively in the nodules: BRAF V600E (n = 32), BRAF K601E (n = 4), NRAS (n = 11), HRAS (n = 4), KRAS (n = 3), RET/PTC1 rearrangement (n = 1), TERT promoter (n = 2), PAX8-PPARγ rearrangement (n = 1), and 45 cases where no mutation was detected. Aggressive behavior was defined by extra-thyroidal extension (ETE), lymph node metastasis (LN+), and the following variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma: tall cell, solid, diffuse sclerosing, columnar cell and hobnail. Chi-squared testing was performed to compare groups. Results The group with BRAF V600E, RET/PTC1 rearrangement, and TERT promoter mutations was associated with ETE 37.1%, and LN+ 45.7% of the time compared to 4.3 and 13.0% in the group with other mutations, and 4.4 and 4.4% in the group with no mutations (p-value 0.02, p-value < 0.001, p-value 0.006). In addition, the BRAF V600E, RET/PTC1 rearrangement, and TERT mutations group demonstrated tall cell variants (17.1%), columnar cell variants (5.7%), and hobnail variants (3%). The other mutations group demonstrated columnar cell variants (4.3%), and the no mutations group demonstrated solid variants (2.2%). Conclusions In this study, BRAF V600E, RET/PTC1 rearrangement, and TERT mutations were associated with aggressive behaving thyroid malignancies as defined above. Molecular testing may be a useful method to anticipate aggressive tumour types and therefore assist in planning the extent and timing of surgery.

Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Silver ◽  
Mariya Bogatchenko ◽  
Marc Pusztaszeri ◽  
Véronique-Isabelle Forest ◽  
Michael P. Hier ◽  
...  

Abstract Background While some studies suggest that the BRAF V600E mutation correlates with a high-risk phenotype in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), more evidence is necessary before this mutation can be used to help guide decision making in the management of small thyroid nodules. This study investigated whether BRAF V600E mutation is associated with aggressive features in PTMC (≤ 1 cm) and small PTC (1–1.5 cm). Methods Retrospective chart review was performed on 121 patient cases. Patients who underwent thyroid surgery for PTMC (≤ 1 cm) or small PTC (1–1.5 cm) were included if molecular testing was done for BRAF V600E mutation. Two study groups were created based on tumour size: PTMC (n = 55) and small PTC (n = 66). The groups were analysed for the presence of a BRAF V600E mutation and aggressive features, including macroscopic extrathyroidal extension (ETE), lymph node metastasis (LNM), and high-risk histological features (tall cell, columnar cell, hobnail, solid/trabecular, and diffuse sclerosing). The Fischer exact test was used to calculate statistical significance. Results BRAF V600E mutations were detected in 43.6% of PTMC and 42.4% of small PTC. Of the mutated PTMC nodules, 54.1% demonstrated aggressive characteristics as compared to 19.4% of the non-mutated PTMCs (p = 0.010). Of the mutated small PTC tumours, 82.1% had aggressive features. In contrast, 28.9% of the non-mutated small PTCs showed aggressive features (p < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings demonstrate an association between a BRAF V600E mutation and aggressive features in PTMC (≤ 1 cm) and small PTC (1–1.5 cm). Therefore, determining the molecular status of these thyroid nodules for the presence of BRAF V600E can help guide patient management. Graphical Abstract


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A1013-A1014
Author(s):  
Jacob Quaytman ◽  
Yuri E Nikiforov ◽  
Marina Nikiforova ◽  
Elena Morariu

Abstract Somatic and germline mutations of PTEN tumor suppressor gene are associated with follicular-pattern thyroid tumors and PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS). The incidence of cancer in thyroid nodules positive for PTEN mutations on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is not well defined. The aim of this study was to characterize diagnostic and phenotypic features of thyroid nodules with preoperatively detected PTEN mutations and their impact on management. Thyroid nodules with PTEN mutations on ThyroSeq v3 GC testing of FNA and core needle biopsy specimens from November 2017 to July 2020 were identified from the ThyroSeq Molecular Database. Demographic and clinicopathologic data were obtained through retrospective chart review. We identified 49 PTEN mutation-positive nodules from 48 patients. Patients were 57 years old on average (range 14-88) and 80% female. Cytology was predominantly indeterminate (73% atypia of undermined significance, 18% follicular neoplasm). There were 18 (29%) frameshift, 6 (10%) splice site, and 39 (62%) single nucleotide variant PTEN mutations. Fourteen (29%) nodules had two PTEN mutations, 5 (10%) had copy number alterations, and single cases had concurrent BRAF K601N, EZH1, and NRAS mutations. Surveillance was pursued for 27 (56%) and surgery for 21 (44%) patients (16 lobectomies, 5 total thyroidectomies). There were 14 follicular adenomas (FA), 4 oncocytic FA’s, 1 oncocytic hyperplastic nodule, and 1 encapsulated follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (EFVPTC). The EFVPTC had two low-frequency PTEN mutations, PTEN locus loss, an NRAS mutation, and was a low-risk tumor with capsular but no angiolymphatic invasion. Four (8.3%) patients had confirmed or suspected PHTS, all with multiple nodules. Two had surgery finding no malignancies (2 FA). One PHTS patient had a prior thyroidectomy for a MET mutation-positive nodule that was follicular carcinoma. On US, the mean nodule size of patients who had surgery was larger than the surveillance group (3.2 cm vs. 2.3 cm, p=0.02) but there was no difference in TI-RADS level (p=0.54). There was no difference in mean nodule size (3.5 cm vs. 2.6 cm, p=0.35) or TI-RADS level (p=0.81) between PHTS and non-PHTS patients. Among surveillance patients, follow-up US was done at 1 year in 13/19 (68%) and 2 years in 3/6 (50%) of eligible cases. Only 1/19 (5%) underwent repeat FNA for increased nodule size. No thyroid malignancy was found with a mean of 1.75 years of follow-up (range 1.00-2.78). The EFVPTC patient had no recurrence after 1.05 years of follow-up. In summary, thyroid nodules with isolated somatic PTEN mutations are primarily benign and can be safely followed with serial imaging. Nodules with multiple PTEN mutations were only associated with malignancy when accompanied by an additional NRAS mutation. About 8% of patients with PTEN mutations may be PHTS patients who may be at greater risk for malignancy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoon Young Cho ◽  
So Young Park ◽  
Jung Hee Shin ◽  
Young Lyun Oh ◽  
Jun-Ho Choe ◽  
...  

Molecular testing offers more objective information in the diagnosis and personalized decision making for thyroid nodules. In Korea, as the BRAF V600E mutation is detected in 70–80% of thyroid cancer specimens, its testing in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology specimens alone has been used for the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules until now. Thus, we aimed to develop a mutation panel to detect not only BRAF V600E, but also other common genetic alterations in thyroid cancer and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the mutation panel for thyroid nodules in Korea. For this prospective study, FNA specimens of 430 nodules were obtained from patients who underwent thyroid surgery for thyroid nodules. A molecular test was devised using real-time PCR to detect common genetic alterations in thyroid cancer, including BRAF, N-, H-, and K-RAS mutations and rearrangements of RET/PTC and PAX8/PPARr. Positive results for the mutation panel were confirmed by sequencing. Among the 430 FNA specimens, genetic alterations were detected in 293 cases (68%). BRAF V600E (240 of 347 cases, 69%) was the most prevalent mutation in thyroid cancer. The RAS mutation was most prevalently detected for indeterminate cytology. Among the 293 mutation-positive cases, 287 (98%) were diagnosed as cancer. The combination of molecular testing and cytology improved sensitivity from 72% (cytology alone) to 89% (combination), with a specificity of 93%. We verified the excellent diagnostic performance of the mutation panel applicable for clinical practice in Korea. A plan has been devised to validate its performance using independent FNA specimens.


Author(s):  
Jessica Hier ◽  
Galit Avior ◽  
Marc Pusztaszeri ◽  
Joshua R. Krasner ◽  
Noura Alyouha ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Molecular testing has been used for cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules (Bethesda III and IV), where the risk of malignancy is 10–40%. However, to date, the role of molecular testing in cytologically suspicious or positive for malignancy (Bethesda V and VI) thyroid nodules has been controversial. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients who had molecular testing in Bethesda V and VI thyroid nodules had the optimal extent of surgery performed more often than patients who did not have molecular testing performed. Methods A retrospective chart review of 122 cases was performed: 101 patients from the McGill University teaching hospitals and 21 patients from the Hillel Yaffe Medical center, Technion University. Patients included in the study were those with Bethesda V or VI thyroid nodules who underwent molecular testing (ThyGenext® or ThyroseqV3®) (McGill n = 72, Hillel Yaffe n = 14). Patients with Bethesda V or VI thyroid nodules who did not undergo molecular testing were used as controls (McGill n = 29, Hillel Yaffe n = 7). Each case was reviewed in order to determine whether the patient had optimal surgery. This was defined as total thyroidectomy in the presence of either a positive lymph node, extrathyroidal extension, or an aggressive pathological variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (tall cell, hobnail, columnar cell, diffuse sclerosing, and solid/trabecular) documented on the final pathology report. In all other cases, a lobectomy/hemi/subtotal thyroidectomy was considered as optimal surgery. Chi-squared testing was performed to compare groups. Results When molecular testing was done, 91.86% (79/86) of surgeries in the molecular testing group were optimal, compared to 61.11% (22/36) in the control group. At McGill University teaching hospitals and at Hillel Yaffe, 91.67% (66/72) and 92.86% (13/14) of surgeries in the intervention group were considered as optimal, respectively. This compares to 58.62% (17/29) at McGill and 71.43% (5/7) at Hillel Yaffe when molecular testing was not performed (p = .001, p = .186). Conclusions In this study, molecular testing in Bethesda V and VI thyroid tumors significantly improved the likelihood of optimal surgery. Therefore, molecular testing may have an important role in optimizing surgical procedures performed in the setting of Bethesda V and VI thyroid nodules. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are required to further investigate this finding. Graphical abstract


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2563
Author(s):  
Sena Turkdogan ◽  
Marc Pusztaszeri ◽  
Veronique-Isabelle Forest ◽  
Michael P. Hier ◽  
Richard J. Payne

The Bethesda classification system for thyroid fine needle aspirate (FNA) is used to predict the risk of malignancy and to guide the management of thyroid nodules. We postulated that thyroid malignancies characterized as Bethesda III on FNA have more aggressive features than those classified as Bethesda IV. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify those who underwent thyroid surgery at a single tertiary hospital setting between 2015 and 2020. Associations between Bethesda category, molecular genetic test results, and histopathologic findings were examined. Out of 628 surgeries that were performed, 199 (54.2%) Bethesda III nodules and 216 (82.8%) Bethesda IV nodules were malignant. Of those that were malignant, 37 (18.6%) and 22 (10.2%) Bethesda III and Bethesda IV nodules showed aggressive features, respectively (p value = 0.014). There was a proportionally increased number of aggressive features in extra-thyroidal extension, lymph nodes metastasis, and all aggressive subtypes of papillary thyroid cancer in the Bethesda III category. Although Bethesda IV nodules are much more likely to be malignant (p value = 0.002), our study suggests that Bethesda III nodules that are resected are more likely to have aggressive features than Bethesda IV nodules, with a statistically significant increase in the solid variant of papillary thyroid cancer and lymph node metastasis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15028-e15028
Author(s):  
Yuntao Song ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Weiran Wang ◽  
Tonghui Ma

e15028 Background: Ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (US-FNA) are a preferred method for judging benign and malignant thyroid nodules. For thyroid nodules that can’t be determined by FNA, molecular markers of thyroid cancer can be detected as assistant method. This study aim to verify the significance of molecular detection in diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules in China. Methods: We carried out a prospective study of 383 FNA samples of thyroid nodules, and performed targeted multi-gene NGS on most samples with FSZ-Thyroid NGS Panel V1, the result of which would be incorporated into the reference index for clinicians to decide whether a patient should undergo surgery. And postoperative pathology were followed up. The NGS targets were divided into three categories: high risk (BRAF V600E, TP53, PIK3CA, AKT1, CTNNB1, RET, KRAS with VAF≥30%, HRAS with VAF≥30%, NRAS with VAF≥30%, RET fusion, NTRK1 fusion, NTRK3 fusion, ALK fusion, BRAF fusion), low risk (BRAF non-V600E, EIF1AX, GNAS, TSHR, TERT, KRAS with VAF < 30%, HRAS with VAF < 30%, HRAS with VAF < 30%, PPARG fusion, THADA fusion), benign like (EZH1, SPOP, ZNF148 or no mutations). Results: Among the 383 FNA samples, 333 of them were sequenced with FSZ-Thyroid NGS Panel V1, and 211 thyroid nodules were resected. Finally, postoperative pathology showed that 180 nodules was malignant and 31 was benign. Among the 180 malignant tumors, BRAF V600E (71.1%), RET fusion (7.8%), and TERT mutation (2.8%) were the top three most mutated genes; and there were also significant differences in frequency of some mutations between malignant tumors in different BSRTC class, including more BRAF V600E (83.6%) in class VI malignant tumors, more gene fusions (26.1%) in class V malignant tumors which was significantly higher than that in class VI (7%). And, the frequency of RAS mutations (8.3%) in class III and IV malignant tumors was higher than that of class V and VI. Here a test was considered as positive if a genetic alteration was annotated with High-Risk, and negative if Low-Risk or Benign-Like, the sensitivity and specificity for detecting malignant tumors in BSRTC class III-IV were 66.7% and 100%, respectively, and the total sensitivity and specificity for BSRTC class I-VI malignant tumors were 85.6% and 100%. In addition, 21 of 383 patients underwent Re-FNA. Among these 21 patients, 11 patients detected high risk mutations and 90.9% (10/11) underwent upgrade of BSRTC class on Re-FNA. As a comparation, among the remaining 10 patients who detected low risk or benign like sites, only 30% (3/10) underwent upgrade of BSRTC class on Re-FNA which suggested that the detection of high risk sites might predict the upgrade of BSRTC class on Re-FNA. Conclusions: Molecular testing can distinguish between benign and malignant thyroid nodules and predict the upgrade of BSRTC class on Re-FNA which could provide the reference for treatment decision-making of thyroid nodules in China.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunqiao Feng ◽  
Lin Han ◽  
Mei Yue ◽  
Dixiao Zhong ◽  
Jing Cao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare neoplastic disease that occurs in both children and adults, and BRAF V600E is detected in up to 64% of the patients. Several studies have discussed the associations between BRAF V600E mutation and clinicopathological manifestations, but no clear conclusions have been drawn regarding the clinical significance of the mutation in pediatric patients. Results We retrieved the clinical information for 148 pediatric LCH patients and investigated the BRAF V600E mutation using next-generation sequencing alone or with droplet digital PCR. The overall positive rate of BRAF V600E was 60/148 (41%). The type of sample (peripheral blood and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue) used for testing was significantly associated with the BRAF V600E mutation status (p-value = 0.000 and 0.000). The risk of recurrence declined in patients who received targeted therapy (p-value = 0.006; hazard ratio 0.164, 95%CI: 0.046 to 0.583). However, no correlation was found between the BRAF V600E status and gender, age, stage, specific organ affected, TP53 mutation status, masses close to the lesion or recurrence. Conclusions This is the largest pediatric LCH study conducted with a Chinese population to date. BRAF V600E in LCH may occur less in East Asian populations than in other ethnic groups, regardless of age. Biopsy tissue is a more sensitive sample for BRAF mutation screening because not all of circulating DNA is tumoral. Approaches with low limit of detection or high sensitivity are recommended for mutation screening to avoid type I and II errors.


Author(s):  
Clotilde Sparano ◽  
Valentina Verdiani ◽  
Cinzia Pupilli ◽  
Giuliano Perigli ◽  
Benedetta Badii ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Incidental diagnosis of thyroid nodules, and therefore of thyroid cancer, has definitely increased in recent years, but the mortality rate for thyroid malignancies remains very low. Within this landscape of overdiagnosis, several nodule ultrasound scores (NUS) have been proposed to reduce unnecessary diagnostic procedures. Our aim was to verify the suitability of five main NUS. Methods This single-center, retrospective, observational study analyzed a total number of 6474 valid cytologies. A full clinical and US description of the thyroid gland and nodules was performed. We retrospectively applied five available NUS: KTIRADS, ATA, AACE/ACE-AME, EUTIRADS, and ACRTIRADS. Thereafter, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV, along with the number of possible fine-needle aspiration (FNA) sparing, according to each NUS algorithm and to clustering risk classes within three macro-groups (low, intermediate, and high risk). Results In a real-life setting of thyroid nodule management, available NUS scoring systems show good accuracy at ROC analysis (AUC up to 0.647) and higher NPV (up to 96%). The ability in FNA sparing ranges from 10 to 38% and reaches 44.2% of potential FNA economization in the low-risk macro-group. Considering our cohort, ACRTIRADS and AACE/ACE-AME scores provide the best compromise in terms of accuracy and spared cytology. Conclusions Despite several limitations, available NUS do appear to assist physicians in clinical practice. In the context of a common disease, such as thyroid nodules, higher accuracy and NPV are desirable NUS features. Further improvements in NUS sensitivity and specificity are attainable future goals to optimize nodule management. Key Points • Thyroid nodule ultrasound scores do assist clinicians in real practice. • Ultrasound scores reduce unnecessary diagnostic procedures, containing indolent thyroid microcarcinoma overdiagnosis. • The variable malignancy risk of the “indeterminate” category negatively influences score’s performance in real-life management of thyroid lesions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2304
Author(s):  
Karolina Skubisz ◽  
Joanna Januszkiewicz-Caulier ◽  
Patrycja Cybula ◽  
Elwira Bakuła-Zalewska ◽  
Krzysztof Goryca ◽  
...  

The data demonstrating a correlation between sonographic markers of malignancy of thyroid cancer (TC) and its genetic status are scarce. This study aimed to assess whether the addition of genetic analysis at the preoperative step of TC patients’ stratification could aid their clinical management. The material consisted of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor fragments of 49 patients who underwent thyroidectomy during the early stages of papillary TC (PTC). Tumor DNA and RNA were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS) on Ion Proton using the Oncomine™ Comprehensive Assay panel. We observed a significant correlation between BRAF V600E and a higher EU-TIRADS score (p-value = 0.02) with a correlation between hypoechogenicity and taller-than-wide tumor shape in analysed patients. There were no other significant associations between the identified genetic variants and other clinicopathological features. For TC patient’s stratification, a strong suspicion of BRAF V600E negativity in preoperative management of TC patients could limit the over-treatment of asymptomatic, very low-risk, indolent disease and leave room for active surveillance.


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