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.
A case of papillary thyroid cancer with soft tissue metastasis
