Selective use of radioactive iodine therapy for papillary thyroid cancers with low or lower-intermediate recurrence risk

Author(s):  
Giorgio Grani ◽  
Livia Lamartina ◽  
Marco AlfÒ ◽  
Valeria Ramundo ◽  
Rosa Falcone ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Current guidelines recommend a selective use of radioiodine treatment (RAI) for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Objective To determine how policy changes affect the use of RAI and the short-term outcomes of patients. Design Retrospective analysis of longitudinal data. Setting Academic referral center. Patients Patients with non-aggressive PTC variants; no extrathyroidal invasion or limited to soft tissues, no distant metastases, and ≤5 central-compartment cervical lymph node metastases. In Cohort 1, standard treatments were total thyroidectomy and RAI (May 2005-June 2011); in Cohort 2 decisions on RAI were deferred for ~12 months after surgery (July 2011-December 2018). Propensity score matching was used to adjust for sex, age, tumor size, lymph node status, and extrathyroidal extension. Intervention Immediate RAI or deferred choice. Main outcome measures Responses to initial treatment in ≥3 years of follow-up. Results In Cohort 1, RAI was performed in 50/116 patients (51.7%), while in Cohort 2, it was far less frequent: immediately in 10/156 (6.4%), and in 3 more patients after the first follow-up data. The frequencies of structural incomplete response were low (1-3%), and there were no differences between the two cohorts at any follow-up visit. Cohort 2 patients had higher rates of “gray-zone responses” (biochemical incomplete or indeterminate response). Conclusions Selective use of RAI increases the rate of patients with “uncertain” status during early follow-up. The rate of structural incomplete responses remains low regardless of whether RAI is used immediately or not. Patients should be made aware of both the advantages and drawbacks of omitting RAI.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abeer Abdulhadi Aljomaiah ◽  
Yosra Moria ◽  
Nora Aldaej ◽  
Meshael Alswailem ◽  
Ali Saeed Alzahrani

Abstract Diffuse sclerosing variant (DSV) is a rare subtype of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Whether it represents a higher grade subtype than conventional PTC is not quite clear. Furthermore, there are limited data on its long-term outcome and its molecular genetics. In this report, we studied all cases of DSV PTC seen at our center during the last 20 years. Out of more than 6000 patients (pts) with differentiated thyroid cancer, only 37 were DSV. We reviewed the clinical and histopathological features, management and outcome of these cases. In addition, molecular genetics is partially achieved; 17 out of these 37 cases have been genotyped for BRAFV600E, TERT promotor mutations, NRAS, HRAS and KRAS mutations. The molecular profiling of the other 20 cases is being done. A total of 37 pts were studied {(12 Males:25 Females, median age 21 years (8-89)}. One pt had lobectomy and the other 36 pts (97.3%) had a total thyroidectomy. Central only (4 pts) or central/lateral lymph node dissection (29 pts) were performed. The median tumor size was 4.5 cm (1.5-8.1). The tumor was multifocal in 27 cases (73%), with extrathyroidal invasion in 27 (73%) and lymphovascular invasion in 24 pts (64.8%). A background lymphocytic thyroiditis was present in 12 pts (32.4%). Lymph node metastases were present in 34 pts (92%) and distant metastases in 13 pts (35%). The sites of metastasis are lungs in 12 pts (32.4%) and lungs and bone in 1 pt. Twenty pts (54.1%) were in TNM8 stage 1, 10 pts (27%) in stage 2, 1 (2.7%) in stage 4a, 3 (8.1%) in stage 4b and 3 unstageable. The ATA risk classification for these pts was 4 pts (10.8%) in low, 12 (32.4%) in intermediate, 19 (51.4%) in high-risk groups and 2 could not be assessed. I-131 was administered to 33 pts (89.2%). The median administered activity was 136 mCi (46-218). Fifteen pts (40.5%) received additional therapies (3 surgeries, 7 RAI, 5 surgeries, and RAI). In 17 pts (46%) which were genotyped, only 3 tumors (8.1%) had BRAFV600E mutation, 1 (2.7%) had TERT promotor C228T mutation and none had RAS mutations. At the last follow up, 15 pts (40.5%) achieved an excellent response, 9 (24%) an indeterminate response, 6 (16.2%) with a structural disease, and 7 (19%) were lost for follow up. Conclusion: DSV PTC is a rare variant, occurs mostly in adolescent and young pts, characterized by aggressive histopathological features and high rates of lymph node and distant metastases but the commonly reported mutations in PTC are rare in DSV and mortality is absent.



2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 5881-5893
Author(s):  
Xiaoqi Tian ◽  
Qing Song ◽  
Fang Xie ◽  
Ling Ren ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
...  


1999 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1998-2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Murr ◽  
Anton Bergant ◽  
Martin Widschwendter ◽  
Kurt Heim ◽  
Hans Schröcksnadel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Neopterin, produced by human monocytes/macrophages upon stimulation by interferon-γ, is a sensitive marker for monitoring Th1-cell immune response in humans. In malignant diseases, the frequency of increases in neopterin in the serum and urine of patients depends on tumor stage and type. Methods: In a retrospective study comprising 129 females with breast cancer, urinary neopterin/creatinine ratios were measured at the time of diagnosis. Tumor characteristics were determined concomitantly. Results: Urinary neopterin was increased in 18% of the patients. It did not correlate with tumor size or lymph node status, but it was influenced by the presence of distant metastases (P <0.05) and by tumor differentiation (P = 0.01). When product-limit estimates were calculated after follow-up for up to 13 years (median follow-up, 56 months), the presence of distant metastases (P <0.001), neopterin (P <0.001), tumor size (P = 0.001), and lymph node status (P <0.01) were significant predictors of survival. By multivariate analysis, a combination of the variables presence of distant metastases (P <0.001), neopterin (P <0.01), and lymph node status (P <0.05) was found to jointly predict survival. In lymph node-negative patients without distant metastases, the relative risk of death associated with increased neopterin concentrations was 2.5 compared with patients with neopterin concentrations within the reference interval. Conclusion: Urinary neopterin provides additional prognostic information in patients with breast cancer.



2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3.5) ◽  
pp. CLO19-049
Author(s):  
Girish M. Suresh ◽  
C. Ramachandra ◽  
Ravi Arjunan ◽  
Rajshekar Halkud

Background: Surgery is the treatment of choice in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), which is the most common thyroid malignancy and frequently has metastases in the central compartment lymph nodes (CLN). There is debate among surgeons whether removing normal-appearing lymph nodes in the central neck (prophylactic lymph node dissection) is better than removing only the abnormal-appearing lymph nodes. Herein, we review the potential utility of central compartment lymph nodal dissection (CLND) on surgical outcome and disease-free follow-up of PTC and 5-year survival of patients operated on at our center. Methods: A total of 246 patients from February 2009 to March 2012 who were treated for PTC in our Kidwai Cancer Institution was analyzed retrospectively. 135 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and CLND were assigned to Group A, which was compared with 111 patients who received total thyroidectomy, without CLND, who were assigned to Group B by evaluation of postoperative complications (recurrent laryngeal nerve damage, hoarseness, hypocalcemia, and hemorrhage rates) and recurrence at the time of Iodine131 treatment and subsequently at 60 months follow-up. Results: In the present study, Mean DFS and OS did not differ in both groups. Male gender and age more than 45 years had statistically significant DFS but without any impact on OS. There was a significant postoperative complication in group A compared to group B (P≤.001), with a very minimal recurrence in the central neck. 4 patients (3.6%) had recurrences in CLN. Conclusion: Considering the significant postoperative complication, which outweighs benefit, we conclude that for cN0 PTC, routine CLND is not necessary.



2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (S2) ◽  
pp. S150-S160 ◽  
Author(s):  
A L Mitchell ◽  
A Gandhi ◽  
D Scott-Coombes ◽  
P Perros

AbstractThis is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. This paper provides recommendations on the management of thyroid cancer in adults and is based on the 2014 British Thyroid Association guidelines.Recommendations• Ultrasound scanning (USS) of the nodule or goitre is a crucial investigation in guiding the need for fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). (R)• FNAC should be considered for all nodules with suspicious ultrasound features (U3–U5). If a nodule is smaller than 10 mm in diameter, USS guided FNAC is not recommended unless clinically suspicious lymph nodes on USS are also present. (R)• Cytological analysis and categorisation should be reported according to the current British Thyroid Association Guidance. (R)• Ultrasound scanning assessment of cervical nodes should be done in FNAC-proven cancer. (R)• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) should be done in suspected cases of retrosternal extension, fixed tumours (local invasion with or without vocal cord paralysis) or when haemoptysis is reported. When CT with contrast is used pre-operatively, there should be a two-month delay between the use of iodinated contrast media and subsequent radioactive iodine (I131) therapy. (R)• Fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography imaging is not recommended for routine evaluation. (G)• In patients with thyroid cancer, assessment of extrathyroidal extension and lymph node disease in the central and lateral neck compartments should be undertaken pre-operatively by USS and cross-sectional imaging (CT or MRI) if indicated. (R)• For patients with Thy 3f or Thy 4 FNAC a diagnostic hemithyroidectomy is recommended. (R)• Total thyroidectomy is recommended for patients with tumours greater than 4 cm in diameter or tumours of any size in association with any of the following characteristics: multifocal disease, bilateral disease, extrathyroidal spread (pT3 and pT4a), familial disease and those with clinically or radiologically involved nodes and/or distant metastases. (R)• Subtotal thyroidectomy should not be used in the management of thyroid cancer. (G)• Central compartment neck dissection is not routinely recommended for patients with papillary thyroid cancer without clinical or radiological evidence of lymph node involvement, provided they meet all of the following criteria: classical type papillary thyroid cancer, patient less than 45 years old, unifocal tumour, less than 4 cm, no extrathyroidal extension on ultrasound. (R)• Patients with metastases in the lateral compartment should undergo therapeutic lateral and central compartment neck dissection. (R)• Patients with follicular cancer with greater than 4 cm tumours should be treated with total thyroidectomy. (R)• I131 ablation should be carried out only in centres with appropriate facilities. (R)• Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) should be checked in all post-operative patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), but not sooner than six weeks after surgery. (R)• Patients who have undergone total or near total thyroidectomy should be started on levothyroxine 2 µg per kg or liothyronine 20 mcg tds after surgery. (R)• The majority of patients with a tumour more than 1 cm in diameter, who have undergone total or near-total thyroidectomy, should have I131 ablation. (R)• A post-ablation scan should be performed 3–10 days after I131 ablation. (R)• Post-therapy dynamic risk stratification at 9–12 months is used to guide further management. (G)• Potentially resectable recurrent or persistent disease should be managed with surgery whenever possible. (R)• Distant metastases and sites not amenable to surgery which are iodine avid should be treated with I131 therapy. (R)• Long-term follow-up for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is recommended. (G)• Follow-up should be based on clinical examination, serum Tg and thyroid-stimulating hormone assessments. (R)• Patients with suspected medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) should be investigated with calcitonin and carcino-embryonic antigen levels (CEA), 24 hour catecholamine and nor metanephrine urine estimation (or plasma free nor metanephrine estimation), serum calcium and parathyroid hormone. (R)• Relevant imaging studies are advisable to guide the extent of surgery. (R)• RET (Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase receptor) proto-oncogene analysis should be performed after surgery. (R)• All patients with known or suspected MTC should have serum calcitonin and biochemical screening for phaeochromocytoma pre-operatively. (R)• All patients with proven MTC greater than 5 mm should undergo total thyroidectomy and central compartment neck dissection. (R)• Patients with MTC with lateral nodal involvement should undergo selective neck dissection (IIa–Vb). (R)• Patients with MTC with central node metastases should undergo ipsilateral prophylactic lateral node dissection. (R)• Prophylactic thyroidectomy should be offered to RET-positive family members. (R)• All patients with proven MTC should have genetic screening. (R)• Radiotherapy may be useful in controlling local symptoms in patients with inoperable disease. (R)• Chemotherapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors may help in controlling local symptoms. (R)• For individuals with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, initial assessment should focus on identifying the small proportion of patients with localised disease and good performance status, which may benefit from surgical resection and other adjuvant therapies. (G)• The surgical intent should be gross tumour resection and not merely an attempt at debulking. (G)



2000 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-276
Author(s):  
Sante Basso Ricci ◽  
Arturo Chiti ◽  
Roberto Molinari ◽  
Giuseppe Borsa ◽  
Paolo Basso Ricci ◽  
...  

Aims and background Based on the fact that scintigraphy more readily reveals uptake of a radioisotope in a superficial position owing to incomplete surgical radicality, the authors examined by 67Ga scintigraphy a group of patients who had undergone dissection of lymph nodes of the neck from carcinoma with extranodal spread. They then checked the follow-up to ascertain the efficacy of 67Ga scintigraphy in relation to the eventual recurrences in the soft tissues of the neck. Methods A group of 136 patients were examined by 67Ga scintigraphy and followed for a minimum of 3 years after complementary radiotherapy. A group of 20 patients with no lymph node metastases was used as control to evaluate eventual false positives or false negatives. Results Recurrences in the soft tissues of the neck occurred in 35 (42.7%) of the 82 patients positive at 67Ga scintigraphy and in 6 (11.1%) of the 54 patients negative at the examination (P = 0.0001). All the patients in the control group were negative at 67Ga scintigraphy and without recurrences. Conclusions 67Ga scintigraphy can give reliable information on the risk of recurrences in the soft tissues of the neck. Since in spite of postoperative radiotherapy the percentage of local recurrences in cases with positive 67Ga scintigraphy was rather high (42.7%), the authors propose a scheme of radiotherapy based on administration of a higher dose per fraction on the scintigraphically positive area.



2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Prendiville ◽  
Kenneth D. Burman ◽  
Matthew D. Ringel ◽  
Barry M. Shmookler ◽  
Ziad E. Deeb ◽  
...  

Twenty-four cases of the tall cell variant (TCV), a subset of papillary thyroid carcinoma, were identified in a group of 624 patients with thyroid cancer. All pathology specimens were reviewed, and each patient's carcinoma was categorized according to characteristics on presentation, local recurrence, distant metastases, follow-up, and tumor-related mortality. The TCV group was compared with a historical control group (Mazzaferri and Jhiang: 1355 patients). The TCV group had a statistically higher percentage of stage 3 and 4 carcinoma, extrathyroidal invasion, and tumor size less than 1.5 cm than the control group. There was no statistical relationship between age greater than 50 years and stage in the TCV group. No relationship could be found between TCV histology and recurrence or mortality. These findings, combined with those of studies that link stage on presentation to poor outcomes, have led to our conclusion that TCV is an aggressive malignancy warranting appropriate treatment and close follow-up.



2014 ◽  
Vol 128 (10) ◽  
pp. 922-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Varshney ◽  
M N Pakdaman ◽  
N Sands ◽  
M P Hier ◽  
L Rochon ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:Papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid has been described as either a normal variant or a serious malignancy. We describe our experience with papillary microcarcinoma and lymph node metastases.Method:A total of 685 consecutive total thyroidectomies with central compartment neck dissection were reviewed for papillary microcarcinoma. Association of central compartment lymph node metastases with age, gender, tumour multifocality, bilaterality and extrathyroidal extension was analysed.Results:Out of 170 papillary microcarcinoma cases, multifocality was found in 72 (42.4 per cent), bilaterality in 49 (28.8 per cent) and extrathyroidal extension in 16 (9.4 per cent). In all, 23 patients (13.5 per cent) had lymph node metastases. There was a significant association (p < 0.05) between extrathyroidal extension (but no other tumour characteristics) and lymph node metastases.Conclusion:In all, 13.5 per cent of papillary microcarcinomas in our series showed lymph node metastases. Lymph node metastases were associated with extrathyroidal invasion of the papillary microcarcinoma.



Thyroid ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Thompson ◽  
Robin M. Turner ◽  
Andrew Hayen ◽  
Ahmad Aniss ◽  
Salvatore Jalaty ◽  
...  


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