scholarly journals A Preliminary Study of Quantitative Ultrasound for Cancer-Risk Assessment of Thyroid Nodules

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poorani N. Goundan ◽  
Jonathan Mamou ◽  
Daniel Rohrbach ◽  
Jason Smith ◽  
Harshal Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Quantitative Ultrasound ◽  
Thyroid Nodules ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Gray Scale ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Stratification System ◽  
Risk Stratification System

BackgroundGray-scale, B-mode ultrasound (US) imaging is part of the standard clinical procedure for evaluating thyroid nodules (TNs). It is limited by its instrument- and operator-dependence and inter-observer variability. In addition, the accepted high-risk B-mode US TN features are more specific for detecting classic papillary thyroid cancer rather than the follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer or follicular thyroid cancer. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a technique that can non-invasively assess properties of tissue microarchitecture by exploiting information contained in raw ultrasonic radiofrequency (RF) echo signals that is discarded in conventional B-mode imaging. QUS provides quantitative parameter-value estimates that are a function of the properties of US scatterers and microarchitecture of the tissue. The purpose of this preliminary study was to assess the performance of QUS parameters in evaluating benign and malignant thyroid nodules.MethodsPatients from the Thyroid Health Center at the Boston Medical Center were recruited to participate. B-mode and RF data were acquired and analyzed in 225 TNs (24 malignant and 201 benign) from 208 patients. These data were acquired either before (167 nodules) or after (58 nodules) subjects underwent fine-needle biopsy (FNB). The performance of a combination of QUS parameters (CQP) was assessed and compared with the performance of B-mode risk-stratification systems.ResultsCQP produced an ROC AUC value of 0.857 ± 0.033 compared to a value of 0.887 ± 0.033 (p=0.327) for the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) and 0.880 ± 0.041 (p=0.367) for the American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk-stratification system. Furthermore, using a CQP threshold of 0.263 would further reduce the number of unnecessary FNBs in 44% of TNs without missing any malignant TNs. When CQP used in combination with ACR TI-RADS, a potential additional reduction of 49 to 66% in unnecessary FNBs was demonstrated.ConclusionThis preliminary study suggests that QUS may provide a method to classify TNs when used by itself or when combined with a conventional gray-scale US risk-stratification system and can potentially reduce the need to biopsy TNs.

Serum osteopontin can improve papillary thyroid cancer risk assessment of Bethesda III thyroid nodules: a preliminary study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taha Ulutan Kars ◽  
Mustafa Kulaksizoglu ◽  
İbrahim Kılınç
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Thyroid Nodules ◽  
Cancer Risk Assessment ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Discriminative Performance ◽  
Thyroid Cancer Risk ◽  
Preliminary Study

Objective: Thyroid cancer can be detected in 5–10% of patients with thyroid nodules. Management may be a challenge if fine-needle aspiration biopsy yields Bethesda III findings. Most of these cases undergo surgery and are ultimately found benign. Our aim was to evaluate whether serum osteopontin can accurately estimate thyroid cancer risk in cases with cytologically Bethesda III thyroid nodules and, thereby, decrease the number of unnecessary surgical interventions. Design and Methods: We obtained blood samples of cases with repeated cytologically Bethesda III thyroid nodules before surgery, and followed up the pathology results after thyroidectomy. We evaluated serum osteopontin from 36 patients with papillary thyroid cancer and compared them with 40 benign cases. Results: Serum osteopontin levels in patients with papillary thyroid cancer are significantly higher than in benign cases (mean serum osteopontin: 10.48 ± 3.51 ng/mL vs 6.14 ± 2.29 ng/mL, p<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.851, suggesting that serum osteopontin could have considerable discriminative performance. Conclusions: In our preliminary study, high serum osteopontin levels can predict the risk of papillary thyroid cancer in thyroid nodules with Bethesda III cytology. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

The Influence of Age on Disease Outcome in 2015 ATA High Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evert F.s. van Velsen ◽  
Robin P. Peeters ◽  
Merel T. Stegenga ◽  
F.j. van Kemenade ◽  
Tessa M. van Ginhoven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Differentiated Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Disease Outcome ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Stratification System ◽  
Risk Stratification System

Objective Recent research suggests that the addition of age improves the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) Risk Stratification System for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of age on disease outcome in ATA High Risk patients with a focus on differences between patients with papillary (PTC) and follicular thyroid cancer (FTC). Methods We retrospectively studied adult patients with High Risk DTC from a Dutch university hospital. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the effects of age (at diagnosis) and several age cutoffs (per five years increment between 20 and 80 years) on (i) response to therapy, (ii) developing no evidence of disease (NED), (iii) recurrence, and (iv) disease specific mortality (DSM). Results We included 236 ATA High Risk patients (32% FTC) with a median follow-up of 6 years. Age, either continuously or dichotomously, had a significant influence on having an excellent response after initial therapy, developing NED, recurrence, and DSM for PTC and FTC. For FTC, an age cutoff of 65 or 70 years showed the best statistical model performance, while this was 50 or 60 years for PTC. Conclusions In a population of patients with High Risk DTC, older age has a significant negative influence on disease outcomes. Slightly different optimal age cutoffs were identified for the different outcomes, and these cutoffs differed between PTC and FTC. Therefore, the ATA Risk Stratification System may further improve should age be incorporated as an additional risk factor.

scholarly journals BRAF Mutation Predicts a Poorer Clinical Prognosis for Papillary Thyroid Cancer

2005 ◽  
Vol 90 (12) ◽  
pp. 6373-6379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingzhao Xing ◽  
William H. Westra ◽  
Ralph P. Tufano ◽  
Yoram Cohen ◽  
Eli Rosenbaum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Braf Mutation ◽  
Advanced Tumor Stage ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Clinical Prognosis ◽  
Mutation Status ◽  
Predictors Of Recurrence

Context: Use of BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has the potential to improve risk stratification of this cancer. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the prognostic value of BRAF mutation in patients with PTC. Design, Setting, and Subjects: In a multicenter study of 219 PTC patients, data on their clinicopathological characteristics and clinical courses between 1990 and 2004 were retrospectively collected, and their tumor BRAF mutation status was determined. Associations of BRAF mutation with initial tumor characteristics and subsequent recurrence were analyzed. Main Outcome Measure: Relationships between the BRAF mutation status and clinicopathological outcomes, including recurrence, were measured. Results: We found a significant association between BRAF mutation and extrathyroidal invasion (P &lt; 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P &lt; 0.001), and advanced tumor stage III/IV (P = 0.007) at initial surgery. This association remained significant on multivariate analysis, adjusting for conventional clinicopathological predictors of recurrence excluding the histological PTC subtype, but was lost when the tumor subtype was included in the model. BRAF mutation was also significantly associated with tumor recurrence, 25 vs. 9% with and without mutation, respectively (P = 0.004), during a median of 15 (interquartile range, 3–29) months of follow-up. This association remained significant on multivariate analysis adjusting for conventional clinicopathological predictors of recurrence, even including the PTC subtype (odds ratio, 4.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–14.1; P = 0.03). BRAF mutation was even an independent predictor of recurrence in patients with stage I/II disease, 22 vs. 5% with and without BRAF mutation, respectively (P = 0.002). BRAF mutation was also more frequently associated with absence of tumor I-131 avidity and treatment failure of recurrent disease. Conclusions: In patients with PTC, BRAF mutation is associated with poorer clinicopathological outcomes and independently predicts recurrence. Therefore, BRAF mutation may be a useful molecular marker to assist in risk stratification for patients with PTC.

scholarly journals The Age Threshold of the 8th Edition AJCC Classification Is Useful for Indicating Patients with Aggressive Papillary Thyroid Cancer in Clinical Practice. 

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Kaliszewski ◽  
Dorota Diakowska ◽  
Łukasz Nowak ◽  
Beata Wojtczak ◽  
Jerzy Rudnicki
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Locally Advanced ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Locally Advanced Disease ◽  
In Series ◽  
8Th Edition

Abstract Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is unique among cancers in that patient age is a consideration in staging. One of the most important modifications in the 8th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification is to increase the age cut off for risk stratification in PTC from 45 to 55 years. However, whether this cut off is useful in clinical practice remains controversial. In the present study, we assessed how well this new age threshold stratifies patients with aggressive PTC.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological features and overall survival rate of patients with PTC admitted to and surgically treated at a single surgical center. The study protocol was divided into two series. In each series all patients (n=523) were divided in 2 groups according to age cut off. In the first series (cut off 45) patients <45 (n=193) vs. ≥45 (n=330) were compared, and in the second series (cut off 55) patients <55 (n=306) vs. ≥55 (n=217) were compared.Results: The rate of the prevalence of locally advanced disease (pT3 and pT4) was significantly higher in the patients above 55 years old than in those below 55 years old (p=0.013). No significant differences were found for this parameter in series with cut off point 45 years old. A significantly higher risk of locally advanced disease T3+T4 (OR=4.87) and presence of LNM (N1) (OR=3.78) was observed in ≥45 years old group (p=0.021 and p<0.0001, respectively). More expressive results were found for the patients ≥55 years old group, where the risk of locally advanced disease (T3+T4) was higher (OR=5.21) and LNM presence was OR=4.76 (p<0.001 and p<0.0001, respectively). None of the patients below 55 years old showed distant metastasis, but 19 patients above 55 years old showed M1 (p<0.0001). In older patients group (≥55 years old) we observed deaths related thyroid cancer in 11 individuals.Conclusions: The age cut off of 55 years old for risk stratification proposed by the 8th Edition of AJCC effectively stratifies PTC patients with a poor prognosis, indicating it is likely to be useful in clinical practice.

scholarly journals Detailed characterization of metastatic lymph nodes improves the prediction accuracy of currently used risk stratification systems in N1 stage papillary thyroid cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 183 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-93
Author(s):  
Jandee Lee ◽  
Chan Hee Kim ◽  
In Kyung Min ◽  
Seonhyang Jeong ◽  
Hyunji Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
Risk Of Recurrence

Objective The characteristics of metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) have been investigated as important predictors of recurrence and progression in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). However, clinically applicable risk stratification systems are limited to the assessment of size and number of MLNs. This study investigated the predictive value of detailed characteristics of MLNs in combination with currently used risk stratification systems. Design and methods We retrospectively characterized 2811 MLNs from 9014 harvested LNs of 286 patients with N1 PTC according to the maximum diameter of MLN (MDLN), maximum diameter of metastatic focus (MDMF), ratio of both diameters (MDMFR), lymph node ratio (LNR, number of MLNs/number of total harvested LNs), presence of extranodal extension (ENE), desmoplastic reaction (DR), cystic component, and psammoma body. Results Factors related to the size and number of MLNs were associated with increased risk of recurrence and progression. Extensive presence of ENE (>40%) and DR (≥50%) increased the risk of recurrence/progression. The combination of MDLN, LNR, ENE, and DR had the highest predictive value among MLN characteristics. Combination of these parameters with ATA risk stratification or 1-year response to therapy improved the predictive power for recurrence/progression from a Harrell’s C-index of 0.781 to 0.936 and 0.867 to 0.960, respectively. Conclusions The combination of currently used risk stratification systems with detailed characterization of MLNs may improve the predictive accuracy for recurrence/progression in N1 PTC patients.

scholarly journals Papillary thyroid cancer in an adolescent with a toxic single nodular goiter

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga S. Rogova ◽  
Goar F. Okminyan ◽  
Lubov N. Samsonova ◽  
Elena V. Kiseleva ◽  
Oleg Yu. Latyshev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Thyroid Nodule ◽  
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Thyroid Nodules ◽  
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy ◽  
Nodular Goiter ◽  
Needle Aspiration ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Risk Of Malignancy ◽  
Functional Autonomy

The rate of nodular goiter in children ranges from 0.05 to 5.1%; in this case, the risk of thyroid cancer in childhood amounts to 3―70% of all cases of thyroid pathology. Therefore, the main issue is the differential diagnosis of a nosological variant of a thyroid nodule, which defines the optimal therapeutic tactics for a particular patient. The risk of malignancy is traditionally believed to be low in the case of decompensated functional autonomy of a thyroid nodule; therefore, the need for fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) followed by cytomorphological analysis of the aspirate is avoided in most cases. The presented clinical case demonstrates papillary cancer in an adolescent with a toxic single nodular goiter. A thyroid ultrasound examination revealed a nodular lesion in the boy. An increase in the thyroid size and thyrotoxicosis manifestation occurred 3 years later. A cytomorphological study identified follicular neoplasia; scintigraphy revealed a hot nodule. Surgical treatment was planned. Antithyroid therapy was prescribed to prepare for surgery. After compensation of thyrotoxicosis, hemithyroidectomy was performed. A histological examination diagnosed papillary thyroid cancer, which required repeated thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine I131 ablation. The postoperative period was uneventful; the patient well tolerated suppressive levothyroxine therapy. Therefore, the presence of a toxic single nodular goiter does not exclude thyroid cancer, which defines the need to discuss the indications for FNAB of thyroid nodules in children.

scholarly journals The Age Threshold of the 8th Edition AJCC Classification Is Useful for Indicating Patients with Aggressive Papillary Thyroid Cancer in Clinical Practice. 

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Kaliszewski ◽  
Dorota Diakowska ◽  
Łukasz Nowak ◽  
Beata Wojtczak ◽  
Jerzy Rudnicki
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Locally Advanced ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Locally Advanced Disease ◽  
In Series ◽  
8Th Edition

Abstract Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is unique among cancers in that patient age is a consideration in staging. One of the most important modifications in the 8th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification is to increase the age cut off for risk stratification in PTC from 45 to 55 years. However, whether this cut off is useful in clinical practice remains controversial. In the present study, we assessed how well this new age threshold stratifies patients with aggressive PTC.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological features and overall survival rate of patients with PTC admitted to and surgically treated at a single surgical center. The study protocol was divided into two series. In each series all patients (n=523) were divided in 2 groups according to age cut off. In the first series (cut off 45) patients <45 (n=193) vs. ≥45 (n=330) were compared, and in the second series (cut off 55) patients <55 (n=306) vs. ≥55 (n=217) were compared.Results: The rate of the prevalence of locally advanced disease (pT3 and pT4) was significantly higher in the patients above 55 years old than in those below 55 years old (p=0.013). No significant differences were found for this parameter in series with cut off point 45 years old. A significantly higher risk of locally advanced disease T3+T4 (OR=4.87) and presence of LNM (N1) (OR=3.78) was observed in ≥45 years old group (p=0.021 and p<0.0001, respectively). More expressive results were found for the patients ≥55 years old group, where the risk of locally advanced disease (T3+T4) was higher (OR=5.21) and LNM presence was OR=4.76 (p<0.001 and p<0.0001, respectively). None of the patients below 55 years old showed distant metastasis, but 19 patients above 55 years old showed M1 (p<0.0001). In older patients group (≥55 years old) we observed deaths related thyroid cancer in 11 individuals.Conclusions: The age cut off of 55 years old for risk stratification proposed by the 8th Edition of AJCC effectively stratifies PTC patients with a poor prognosis, indicating it is likely to be useful in clinical practice.

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