MicroRNAs in thyroid cancer with focus on medullary thyroid carcinoma:potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic/prognostic markers and web based tools

This review aimed to describe the inculpation of microRNAs(miRNAs)in thyroid cancer(TC)and its subtypes,mainly medullary thyroid carcinoma(MTC),and to outline web-based tools and databases for bioinformatics analysis of miRNAs in TC.Additionally,the capacity of miRNAs to serve as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in TC management will be discussed.This review is based on a literature search of relevant articles on the role of miRNAs in TC and its subtypes,mainly MTC.Additionally,web-based tools and databases for bioinformatics analysis of miRNAs in TC were identified and described.MiRNAs can perform as oncomiRs or antioncoges,relying on the target mRNAs they regulate.MiRNA replacement therapy using miRNA mimics or antimiRs that aim to suppress the function of certain miRNAs can be applied to correct miRNAs aberrantly expressed in diseases,particularly in cancer.MiRNAs are involved in the modulation of fundamental pathways related to cancer,resembling cell cycle checkpoints and DNA repair pathways.MiRNAs are also rather stable and can reliably be detected in different types of biological materials,rendering them favorable diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers as well.MiRNAs have emerged as promising tools for evaluating medical outcomes in TC and as possible therapeutic targets.The contribution of miRNAs in thyroid cancer,particularly MTC,is an active area of research,and the utility of web applications and databases for the biological data analysis of miRNAs in TC is becoming increasingly important.

Childhood Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report

Background: Thyroid cancer is a rare disease yet the most common endocrine malignancy in pediatrics. Unlike adult patients, children with thyroid nodules typically don’t complain of pain, soreness, or difficulty swallowing. Additionally, using the recommended therapy for adults to treat paediatrics is not appropriate. There is an unmet need for updated unique guidelines for the management of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in paediatrics and adolescents. Case Report: A 12-year-old girl had an atypical presentation of metastatic PTC in lymph nodes. She was treated initially with hemi-thyroidectomy, followed by total thyroidectomy. A multidisciplinary team followed her up till successful results were found. Conclusion: Due to the difference in pathophysiology between thyroid tumors in children and adults, a unique approach to PTC management is to be implemented. Further trials are required for a better understanding of risk factors, the likelihood of recurrence, and the long-term side effects of the chosen management plan.

Microwave ablation of solitary T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND The gold standard treatment for papillary thyroid carcinoma is total thyroidectomy and indications for microwave thermal ablation for primary thyroid cancers have not yet been clearly established However,some patients refuse surgery and others have no indication for it,for example patients under palliative care as in this case,or cannot undergo surgery,based on their comorbidities.These indications are described in the most recent Korean,North American and European guidelines.Laser ablation,radiofrequency ablation,and microwave ablation are similarly safe and effective,so the choice should be based on the specific competences and resources of the pertaining centers.These indications are Percutaneous minimally-invasive techniques;they can be useful to stop disease progression and as an alternative to surgery in patients with contraindication or who refuse surgery.We present a case of a thyroid papillary carcinoma with 17 mm effectively treated with microwave thermal ablation and without recurrence after one year of follow up.CASE SUMMARY The authors present a case of a 71-years-old patient with a left lobe papillary thyroid carcinoma with 13 mm×17 mm×13 mm,with no indication for thyroid surgery given the context of another cancer in palliative treatment.Microwave thermoablation was performed on December 2021.Four months later he repeated computed tomography(CT)scan,which showed that the tumor had disappeared.Six months after ablation he underwent a positron emission tomography/CT-fluorodeoxyglucose scan,which didn’t show any evidence of hypermetabolic tumor lesions.CONCLUSION This case shows microwave thermoablation can be a safe and effective alternative to surgery in patients with no conditions to undergo surgery or when they refuse it.By treating the tumor,with this minimally invasive technique,we are stopping its growth and avoiding disease progression.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma with nodular fasciitis-like stroma-an unusual variant with distinctive histopathology:A case report

BACKGROUND Papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)is regarded as a fairly common endocrine malignancy,which can be divided into different multiple variants due to wide morphologic differences.The majority of PTC variants have been reported,but PTC with nodular fasciitis-like stroma(NFS)is a rare pathological variant and has been infrequently reported in the relevant literature.This condition involves abundant reactive stromal components rich in spindle cells,which may account for 60%-80%of the tumor along with a typical papillary carcinoma.CASE SUMMARY A 44-year-old man presented with a 4-mo history of a palpable mass over the anterior aspect of the left neck,the tumor demonstrated gradual enlargement but was painless during the 4 mo prior to discovery.Thyroid function test results were normal.Physical examination showed an enormous and firm nodular mass in the left lobe of the thyroid gland extending to the level of the hyoid bone.Ultrasonography of the neck revealed a well-defined heterogeneous lesion measuring around 5.0 cm×4.0 cm with a hypoechoic complex nodule,decreased vascularity and speckles of microcalcification.The patient underwent left thyroidectomy with central compartment lymph node dissection.Final histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of PTC with extensive fibromatosis-like stroma combined with typical PTC.The patient was asymptomatic at the 3-mo follow-up.CONCLUSION PTC-NFS is a rare pathological variant and its diagnosis and prognosis may be similar to typical papillary carcinoma.

Development and validation of a prognostic indicator for thyroid carcinoma based on interferon-γ-related gene analysis

Background:Women are mostly affected by thyroid carcinoma(THCA),an endocrine system cancer.However,the biomarkers of interferon-gamma(IFN-γ)in THCA have not been identified,so this study aimed to investigate whether IFN-γ-related genes could predict the overall prognosis of THCA patients.Methods:Transcriptome-related expression data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database.Differential expression of IFN-γ-responsive genes(DE-IFN-γ)between THCA and normal samples was determined based on the“limma”package in R.The prognostic value of the model was determined by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,univariate Cox,and multivariate Cox analyses,as well as Kaplan-Meier curves.A nomogram was created to predict the THCA survival probabilities by combining clinicopathological features and prognostic genetic features.High-risk and low-risk groups were examined THCA-related pathways using gene set enrichment analysis.Correlations between the two groups with different scores and the immune microenvironment and immunotherapy were also explored.Finally,we verified the expression levels using real-time PCR.Results:From 48 DE-IFN-γ,4 DE-IFN-γ(METTL7B,VAMP8,CFB,IFIT3)associated with good prognosis were selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and Cox co-screening.Based on these four genes,THCA patients were divided into two groups,with the high-risk group having a poorer overall survival rate.The risk score,age,and staging were identified as independent prognostic factors.The low-scoring group had significantly enriched 13 signaling pathways,according to gene set enrichment analysis.Meanwhile,the two groups delineated according to the risk score differed in terms of the immune microenvironment and immune checkpoints.Finally,our real-time PCR results corroborated previous hypotheses.Conclusion:Researchers identified four DE-IFN-γbiomarker genes with promising prognostic value for THCA patients,which may help guide immunotherapy preference.Moreover,it may subsequently influence our THCA treatment decisions.

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Pregnancy: What Impact on Prognosis?

Introduction: The impact of pregnancy on the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has been debated for several decades;however, no definitive conclusions have been reached. The main objective of this study is to demonstrate the short-term influence of pregnancy on the evolution and prognosis of PTC. Materials and Methods: A prospective descriptive and analytical study was conducted in the Endocrinology and Diabetology Department at the Hassan II University Hospital in Fez, including patients followed for papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting with a pregnancy during the year 2019 and 2020. The follow-up of these patients was continued until 1 year postpartum. We studied the clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic factors that could influence the prognosis of the disease. Results: We included 26 patients. Our study showed a significant correlation between recurrence and the presence of unfavorable histological signs (p = 0.02) as well as the initial Tg level (0.01). However, pregnancy was not an influencing factor (p = 0.41). Conclusion: Pregnancy does not seem to be a factor aggravating the prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancers.

Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma in Children and Adolescents

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic features of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents. Methods: The clinical data of 7 children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed, and the clinicopathologic features of differentiated thyroid carcinoma were analyzed by gender, tumor size and BRAF mutation. Results: There were 7 cases of thyroid papillary carcinoma. The mean age of patients was (18.71 ± 2.75), and the mean tumor diameter was (2.4 ± 1.04) cm. Lymph node metastasis rate was 100% (7/7). In children and adolescents, the lesion volume was larger, membrane invasion and vascular cancer thrombus were more likely to occur, BRAF mutation was less common, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid carcinoma are more aggressive and prone to membrane invasion and lymph node metastasis;BRAF mutation is less common than in adults.

A Case of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Arising from Struma Ovarii and Extending into the Bladder

Ovarian goiter is a form of single tissue teratoma of the ovary, accounting for 2% - 3% of mature ovarian teratomas. Malignant transformation may occur in rare cases. Papillary thyroid-type carcinoma represents the most common type of malignant struma ovarii, followed by follicular carcinoma. Malignant struma ovarii is commonly seen in women in the fifth decade. The diagnosis is often made post-operatively after histological examination. Histology also helps assess tumor aggressiveness (mitoses, necrosis, poorly differentiated subtype, etc.). Given the rarity of these lesions, no therapeutic consensus or prognostic value had yet been formally established. We report herein, the case of a 76-year-old woman with a cystic tumor of the right ovary and a nodular lesion of the bladder. The clinical symptomatology is nonspecific, associating abdomino-pelvic pain and a right latero-uterine mass on abdominal palpation. After total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, the diagnosis of papillary carcinoma arising from struma ovarii and extending into the bladder was made. Through this observation, we suggest to discuss the anatomoclinical particularities of this rare pathological entity.

Do medullary thyroid carcinoma patients with high calcitonin require bilateral neck lymph node clearance?A case report

BACKGROUND In clinical work,85%-90%of malignant thyroid diseases are papillary thyroid cancer(PTC);thus,clinicians neglect other types of thyroid cancer,such as medullary thyroid carcinoma(MTC).CASE SUMMARY We report a 53-year-old female patient with a preoperative calcitonin level of 345 pg/mL.There was no definitive diagnosis of MTC by preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology or intraoperative frozen pathology,but the presence of PTC and MTC was confirmed by postoperative paraffin pathology.The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral central lymph node dissection.Close follow-up at 1.5 years after surgery revealed no signs of recurrence or metastasis.CONCLUSION The issue in clinical work-up regarding types of thyroid cancer provides a novel and challenging idea for the surgical treatment of MTC.In the absence of central lymph node metastasis,it is worth addressing whether patients with high calcitonin can undergo total thyroidectomy and bilateral central lymph node dissection without bilateral lateral neck lymph node dissection.

Correlation between Central and Lateral Neck Dissection in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Objective: To determine the histopathological correlation between central and lateral neck metastasis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and its potential therapeutic impact. Although the central neck dissection (CND) is recommended in differentiated thyroid carcinoma, the indication for lateral neck dissection (LND) remains controversial. Design: Retrospective study. Methods and Main Outcome Measures: Pathological analysis of systematic ipsilateral central neck dissection (CND) and LND performed with total thyroidectomy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma was retrospectively reviewed according to “side” and to “patient”. Results: A total of 56 sides (46 patients) were suitable for analysis. Analysis by “side” revealed that CND and LND dissection samples were both negative in 15 cases, both positive in 32, CND was positive and LND was negative for 8 cases and CND was negative and LND was positive in 1 case. The combined presence of positive LND and positive CND was therefore observed in 32/40 “sides” and 26/46 “patients”. Analysis by “side” of the impact of the treatment decision to perform ipsilateral LND only in patients with positive CND and vice versa demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 97%, 65%, and 84%, respectively. Conclusions: In most cases, the presence of positive LND was associated with positive ipsilateral CND. The very low prevalence of positive LND in patients with negative CND may justify LND as a second step procedure only in patients with positive CND, except in the case of documented lateral neck metastasis.

Clinical and Sonographic Assessment of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in clinical and sonographic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma（PTC） between cervical lymph node metastatic（CLNM） and nonmetastatic groups.Clinical data of PTC patients（414 patients with 624 malignant nodules） who underwent a preoperative ultrasonography and surgery between June 2010 and March 2015 at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were retrospectively analyzed.Clinical factors,preoperative ultrasound features and the final pathological findings were obtained.The differences in the sonographic features of PTC between the CLNM group and the non-CLNM group were analyzed.There were 187 CLNM and 227 non-CLNM patients.The median age at the diagnosis of this cohort was 45.4 years old（ranging from 18 to 77 years）.Ultrasonographic parameters that were significantly associated with CLNM [OR=2.569（1.502,4.393）,P〈0.001）] were as follows：the mulifocality of the nodules,size over 2 cm,the presence of microcalcifications,the distance ratio（DR） pattern showing the contact of the nodules with the thyroid capsule,and the extracapsular spread of the nodules.No significant differences in age,gender,thyroid stimulating hormone（TSH） levels and other ultrasonography parameters were found between the CLNM and the non-CLNM groups.Therefore,our results suggest that a larger size,microcalcifications,mulifocality,and the DR pattern showing the contact of the nodules with the thyroid capsule and extracapsular spread are significantly more indicative of CLNM in PTC.

Is new American Thyroid Association risk classification for hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma applicable to Chinese patients? A single-center study

Objective: The American Thyroid Association (ATA) proposed a new risk classification for hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in 2015. This study aimed to assess whether the new guidelines are suitable for the Chinese population, and reported our experience on prophylactic thyroidectomy. Methods: A total of 73 patients from 22 families were screened as rearranged during transfection (RET) mutation carriers from 2010 to 2016 in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science; the medical history for each patient was collected. Based on the initial treatment, we identified the risk factors for poor prognosis by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Then, 4 RET mutation carriers were enrolled for prophylactic thyroidectomy, and their pathological data and follow-up outcomes were recorded. Results: In univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, age at initial surgery and risk classification were significant risk factors for stage III/IV hereditary MTC at initial diagnosis. The likelihood was increased by 11.6% per year of age at initial surgery [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.040-1.198; P=0.002). It was 7.888 times more likely to have III/IV stage disease for ATA highest risk patients, compared to ATA moderate risk individuals (95% CI, 1.607-38.717; P=0.003). Postoperative pathological results showed all 4 multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) patients had C-cell hyperplasia (CCH); multifocal malignancies were detected in 3 of them. All 4 patients were cured biochemically, and none developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. Conclusions: In Chinese individuals, hereditary MTC aggressiveness is in line with the new ATA risk classification. Germline RET gene mutation carriers should undergo prophylactic thyroidectomy according to basal serum calcitonin levels.

Active surveillance in low risk papillary thyroid carcinoma

In recent decades,while the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased exponentially around the world,mortality has remained stable.The vast majority of this increase is attributable to the identification of intrathyroidal papillary microcarcinomas,which exhibit slow growth rates with indolent courses.A diagnosis of thyroid cancer based upon the presence of these small tumors could be considered as an overdiagnosis,as the majority of these tumors would not likely result in death if left untreated.Although surgical resection was the classical standard therapy for papillary microcarcinomas,active surveillance(AS)has emerged over the last three decades as an alternative approach that is aimed to recognize a minority group of patients who will clinically progress and would likely benefit from rescue surgery.Despite the encouraging results of AS,its implementation in clinical practice is strongly influenced by psychosocial factors.The aim of this review is to describe the epidemiology,clinical evolution,prognostic factors,and mortality of papillary thyroid microcarcinomas.We also summarize the AS strategy according to published evidence,characterize the criteria for selecting patients for AS according to risk factors and environmental characteristics,as well as analyze the current limitations for AS implementation.

Skull metastasis revealing a papillary thyroid carcinoma

Although thyroid carcinoma is a relatively common form of malignancy,metastatic spread to the skull is rare.Here,we report a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma with frontal and parietal metastasis.A 61-year-old Chinese woman presented with a one year history of a growing mass on the center of the frontal and parietal bone,initially thought to be meningioma.Biopsy of the skull base mass after intracalvarium excision,indicated a tumor of thyroid origin.One month later the patient underwent a total thyroidectomy.Pathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma with frontal and parietal bone metastasis.Based on this experience,the key to successful management of the skull metastasis of thyroid carcinoma is prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.Skull metastasis should be considered at the outset of the clinical course of papillary thyroid cancer.To facilitate this,patients should be meticulously investigated by a multidisciplinary team to improve quality of life.

Photoacoustic detection of follicular thyroid carcinoma using targeted Nano-Au-Tripods

Follicular thyroid carcinoma(FTC)is the second most common form of thyroid malignancy,and it is associated with more aggressive growth and worse long-term survival outcomes relative to papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Reliable approaches to preoperative FTC detection,however,remain to be established.Herein,a targeted Affibody-Au-Tripod nanoprobe was developed and successfully utilized to facilitate the targeted photoacoustic imaging(PAI)of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)-positive cells and tumors.These Affibody-Au-Tripods were found to be highly sensitive and specific for cells expressing EGFR when used as a PA contrast agent in vitro,and studies conducted in an FTC-133 subcutaneous tumor model system in mice further revealed that these Affibody-Au-Tripods were able to specifically target these EGFR-expressing tumors while providing a strong photoacoustic signal in vivo.Importantly,these nanoprobes exhibited negligible cytotoxicity and robust chemical and physical stability,making Affibody-Au-Tripods promising candidates for targeted PAI-based FTC diagnosis.In addition,these nanoprobes have the potential to facilitate the individualized treatment of patients harboring EGFRpositive tumors.

Combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with distant metastasis: A case report

BACKGROUND Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma(ATC),also called undifferentiated thyroid cancer,is the least common but most aggressive and deadly thyroid gland malignancy of all thyroid cancers[1].It has poor prognosis,and is the leading cause of death from malignant thyroid tumors.The one-year survival rate is 20%,with a median overall survival(OS)of only 5 mo[2].The aim of this report is to provide our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of ATC.CASE SUMMARY A patient with a thyroid mass underwent surgical treatment after developing symptoms of hoarseness.The resected tumor was pathologically diagnosed as ATC.Imaging examination revealed organ and lymph node metastasis.After multiple cycles of chemotherapy and local radiotherapy,the metastases were not relieved and gradually increased in size and new metastases appeared.The patient immediately received immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy.During treatment,immune-related adverse reactions occurred,which were improved after symptomatic treatment,and tolerated by the patient.The OS of the patient was more than 30 mo after immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy.CONCLUSION For metastatic ATC,surgical treatment,radiotherapy and chemotherapy have no significant effect on remission of the disease.However,immunotherapy has made a breakthrough in the treatment of ATC。

Value of thyroglobulin combined with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology for diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND Surgery for thyroid carcinoma offers a good prognosis;however,cervical lymph node metastasis may occur in the early stage.An effective diagnostic method can accurately guide clinical surgical planning and the scope of lymph node dissection,ultimately improving patient prognosis.AIM To explore the diagnostic value of fine-needle aspiration of thyroglobulin(FNATg)combined with ultrasound(US)-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology for cervical lymph node metastasis in thyroid carcinoma.METHODS We enrolled 209 pathologically confirmed thyroid carcinoma patients who visited our hospital between Jan 2017 and Dec 2020.Patients were tentatively diagnosed with cervical lymph node enlargement using preoperative US.They underwent US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology and FNA-Tg.The value of single and combined application of the two methods for the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis was calculated.The factors affecting FNA-Tg for diagnosis were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods.RESULTS FNA-Tg values were significantly higher among patients with positive cervical lymph node metastasis.The sensitivity and specificity of US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology,FNA-Tg,and US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology+FNA-Tg were 85.48%and 90.59%,83.06%and 87.06%,and 96.77%and 91.76%,respectively.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for USguided fine-needle aspiration cytology,FNA-Tg,and the two combined,was 0.880,0.851,and 0.943,respectively.A long diameter/short diameter ratio<2,an insufficient number of acquired cells,a low serum thyroglobulin level,and an absence of typical metastatic US features increased the risk of cervical lymph node metastasis in thyroid carcinoma patients misdiagnosed using FNA-Tg.CONCLUSION The diagnostic value of FNA-Tg for detecting cervical lymph node metastasis is not high;however,combined with US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology,it is significantly improved.

The expression and significance of hTERT and P53 in thyroid carcinoma

Objective To determine the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and P53 in thyroid carcinoma and its relationship with development and prognosis of the carcinoma. Methods Totally 90 cases of thyroid specimens (60 thyroid carcinomas,10 thyroid adenomas,10 goitres and 10 normal thyroid tissues) were studied by SP immunohistochemical method. Results Positive immunoreactivity of hTERT and P53 was higher in thyroid carcinoma (P<0.05). The positive rates of hTERT and P53 were higher in undifferentiated carcinomas,carcinomas with lymph nodes metastasis or at stage Ⅲ+Ⅳ than in well-differentiated carcinomas,carcinomas without lymph nodes metastasis or at stage Ⅰ+Ⅱ (P<0.05). The expression of hTERT was significantly related with that of P53 (P<0.05). Conclusion Over-expressed hTERT and P53 may be related to the carcinogenesis and progression of thyroid carcinoma and hTERT expression is related to P53 protein. Examination of expression of hTERT and P53 proteins may be helpful to judge the thyroid cancer’s behavior and prognosis.

THE EXPRESSION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF P53 AND P21(WAF1/CIP1) IN THYROID CARCINOMA

Objective To determine the expression of P53 and P21 (WAF1/CIP1) in thyroid carcinomas and its relationship with development and prognosis of the carcinoma. Methods 90 cases of thyroid tissues (60 thyroid carcinomas, 10 thyroid adenomas, 10 goitres and 10 normal thyroid tissues) were studied by SP immunohistochemical method. Results Positive immunoreactivity of P53 and P21(WAF1/CIP1) was found only in thyroid carcinomas. The positive rate of the P53 and P21 is 53.3% and 41.7% respectively. The positive-staining rates of P53 were higher in cases of undifferentiated carcinomas, positive metastasis lymph nodes or in stage Ⅲ, Ⅳ than those in the cases of well-differentiated, no metastasis lymph nodes, or in stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ. In addition, the positive-staining of P21(WAF1/CIP1) were lower in cases of undifferentiated carcinomas, positive metastasis lymph nodes or stage Ⅲ, Ⅳ than that in the cases of well-differentiated, no metastasis lymph nodes or in stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ. The P21 (WAF1/CIP1) expression rate in the P53 positive group was lower than that in the P53 negative group (P<0.05). Conclusion The expression of P21(WAF1/CIP1) protein in thyroid cancer is related to P53-depend pathway and P53-independent pathway, mainly the P53-depend pathway. Examination of expression of P53 and P21 (WAF1/ CIP1) proteins may be helpful to judge the thyroid cancer's behavior and prognosis.

THE UNILATERAL BIG HOCKEY STICK INCISION FOR NECK DISSECTION IN THYROID CARCINOMA

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and advantages of the unilateral big hockey stick incision in thyroid carcinoma. Method: Neck dissection using the unilateral big hockey stick incision was performed on 23 patients with thyroid carcinoma. Results: The big hockey stick incision results in a cosmetic scar which is barely visible and easily covered by hair or clothing, while it provides sufficient exposure of the operation field. A small area of marginal necrosis is occasionally seen at the apex of the skin flap due to preoperative radiotherapy. Conclusion: The unilateral big hockey stick incision has adequate surgical access, good healing of skin flaps, and a good cosmetic result.