scholarly journals Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio for Predicting Recurrence in Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5842
Author(s):  
Jinyoung Kim ◽  
Jun Park ◽  
Hyunju Park ◽  
Min Sun Choi ◽  
Hye Won Jang ◽  
...  

The lymph node ratio (LNR) has been investigated as a prognostic factor in many different types of cancers, including differentiated thyroid cancer; however, reports regarding medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) are limited. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate LNR as a risk factor for structural recurrence in patients with MTC. Medical records of patients treated for MTC in a single tertiary center between 1995 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. LNR is defined as the number of metastatic lymph nodes or lymph node metastases (LNM) divided by the number of retrieved lymph nodes or lymph node yield (LNY). In the survival analysis, recurrence-free survival was defined as the time from the date of total thyroidectomy to recurrence or last follow-up. To identify risk factors influencing structural recurrence, univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used. A total of 132 patients were enrolled. The mean age of study participants was 49.7 years, and 86 patients (65%) were women. Structural recurrence was identified in 39 patients at the end of the study period, and the median follow-up period was 8.7 years. In univariable analyses, gross extra thyroidal extension, N stage, postoperative serum calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, and LNR were significant (p < 0.05) predictors of structural recurrence. In multivariable analysis, postoperative serum calcitonin, postoperative serum CEA, and LNR were identified as a predictor of disease-free survival (p < 0.05). LNR can potentially predict structural recurrence as a quantitative evaluation tool for lymph node metastasis in patients with MTC.

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1448
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Walczyk ◽  
Kajetan Zgubieński ◽  
Grzegorz Chmielewski ◽  
Kinga Hińcza-Nowak ◽  
Artur Kowalik ◽  
...  

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) is a rare, hereditary syndrome resulting from a germline mutation in the RET proto-oncogene and characterized primarily by medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), pheochromocytoma (PHEO), and hyperparathyroidism. Types of RET mutation have been associated with age at onset, clinical outcomes of MTC, and the penetrance of other components. Patients classified as ‘high-risk’ by the American Thyroid Association (ATA), based on the aggressiveness of MTC and the penetrance of other components, are recommended to undergo early prophylactic thyroidectomy at age ≤ 5 years and to be screened for PHEO at age ≥ 11 years. Patients with RET codon C634R mutations have been classified as high-risk. Case presentation: The present study describes a 71-year-old woman newly diagnosed with hereditary MTC related to a RET C634R germline mutation. Her basal serum calcitonin level was high, but there was no evidence of distant metastases. Surgery revealed bilateral MTC with two metastatic lymph nodes. Because microscopic resection was incomplete and extranodal extension was observed, the patient underwent adjuvant external beam radiotherapy. Response to therapy was excellent. Follow-up after 1.5 years showed no evidence of disease or other manifestations of MEN2A. Conclusion: Despite RET C634R carriers being classified as high-risk by the ATA, this patient did not present with either distant MTC or PHEO until her seventies. To our knowledge, only one other patient has shown a similar late identification of a RET C634R mutation, but MTC could not be diagnosed because the patient was lost to follow-up. Further research is required to develop optimal protocols that could allow patients requiring prophylactic thyroidectomy to be differentiated from those who can be monitored closely without early surgery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ogochukwu Okoli ◽  
Christine A Resta

Abstract A 59 year old woman presented with enlarged thyroid, weight loss, and hot flushes. She had previously been treated for a thyroid problem in 2013 but was lost to follow up. On exam, she had a diffusely enlarged thyroid gland, without distinct nodule. She had brisk DTR’s and mild tremor. Lab results confirmed hyperthyroidism:TSH &lt;0.01 mIU/L (0.27 to 4.2) FT4 2.4 ng/dL (0.9 to 1.8) FT3 7.95 pg/mL (1.8 to 4.6). TSI was 307 % (&lt;140%). Thyroid ultrasound showed a few sub-centimeter nodules, and 2 clinically significant nodules on the right--1.5 x 1.2 x 1.4 cm, cystic with calcifications; and 1.3 x 0.7 x 1.2 cm hypoechoic. I-123 thyroid uptake/scan showed 61% uptake and 2 right sided cold nodules. FNA biopsy showed medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) with staining positive for calcitonin and negative for thyroglobulin. CT thyroid showed no adenopathy. Serum calcitonin was 71 pg/mL (&lt;5), and CEA was elevated 5.4 ng/mL (&lt;2.5). Work up was negative for pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism.After pretreatment with methimazole, she underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral TE groove dissection. Surgical pathology confirmed MTC pT1b pN1a. She was started on levothyroxine therapy post operatively. Discussion There are multiple reports of thyroid carcinoma (papillary and follicular) in Graves disease, but rarely MTC.1 A recent systematic review reports only 21 total cases of MTC in patients with hyperthyroidism, of whom 15 had Graves disease.2 MTC is derived from C-cells from the thyroid gland rather than from follicular cells. TSI, therefore, should not influence development or growth of MTC. Coexistence of the two conditions is likely coincidental rather than causative. ConclusionThyroid nodules in patients with Graves should be worked up as there is a possibility of co-existing thyroid carcinoma. This patient had hyperthyroidism with cold nodules on nuclear scan corresponding to sonographic nodules. Based on these results, she had biopsy leading to diagnosis of MTC. Follow up surgery lead to diagnosis of MTC at earlier stage and provided treatment for both conditions. References1. Staniforth, J. U. etal (2016). Thyroid carcinoma in Graves’ disease: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Surgery, 27, 118-125. 2. Sapalidis, K. etal (2019). A Rare Coexistence of Medullary Thyroid Cancer with Graves Disease: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature. The American journal of case reports, 20, 1398


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