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.

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.

The launch of a special issue on “Neck Dissection in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma” in Gland Surgery

Given the high incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer （DTC） and the rapidly increased importance of neck dissection in DTC, the journal of Gland Surgery is launching a special issue on ＂Neck Dissection in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma＂ in November Issue of 2013, inviting Dr. Xinying Li from Xiangya Hospital, China, as the guest editor.

Short-term overt hypothyroidism affect on lipids after thyroxine-withdrawal in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of short-term overt hypothyroidism on lipids after thyroxine-withdrawal in patients with iatrogenically induced hypothyroidism before radioiodine treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Methods: Thirty patients with a history of differentiated thyroid carcinoma on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-suppressive thyroxine replacement therapy were studied. Blood sample were taken before and 4 weeks after withdrawal of thyroxine substitution. Venous blood was drawn after an overnight fast and analyzed for serum free T4 (FT4), free T3 (FT3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB). Fifty healthy people matched for age and gender were controls. Their blood samples were taken only once. Results: After thyroxine-withdrawal, the patients presented with increased serum TSH and low serum FT4 and FT3 levels compared with controls. Serum TG, TC, LDL, HDL, ApoB and Lp(a) increased after thyroxine withdrawal, reaching statistical significant differences with previous evaluation. However, when compared to euthyroid controls, only TC, LDL and ApoB were increased when patients were hypothyroidism. No changes were observed in ApoA1 in patients during thyroxine withdrawal, or when comparing the values observed in patients to those of euthyroid controls. Conclusion: TG, TC, LDL, HDL, ApoB and Lp(a) were increased during short-term overt hypothyroidism.

Expression and significance of ER and PR in differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Objective： The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between expressions of estrogen receptor （ER）, progesterone receptor （PR） and gender, age, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, capsular invasion and histological type of differentiated thyroid carcinoma （DTC）. Methods： Seventy cases of DTC who received surgery in our hospital （No. 401 Hospital of People＇s Liberation Army, Qingdao, China） between January 2008 and December 2011 were selected. Among them, 61 cases were papillary carcinoma and 9 cases were follicular carcinoma. Twenty cases were normal thyroid tissue adjacent to the tumor which was used as control. Immunohistochemical SP method was employed to detect the expression of ER and PR. Results： The positive rates of ER and PR in tumor tissues of DTC patients were 21.4% （15/70） and 31.4% （22/70）, respectively, and no expression of ER or PR were founded in normal thyroid tissue （P 〈 0.01）. The expressions of ER and PR were related to the lymph node metastasis and capsular invasion （X2 = 16.913 and 6.327, P 〈 0.05; x2 = 7.516 and 12.727, P 〈 0.05）. No relationship was observed between the expressions of EPJPR and gender, age, and histological type （P 〉 0.05） of DTC patients. Conclusion： The expression levels of ER and PR in the tumor tissue of DTC patients were higher than those in the normal thyroid tissue nearby the tumor. Therefore, ER and PR expression might be clinical markers for DTC and its prognosis.

BRAF V600E/TERT promoter mutations and NIS/TSHR expression in differentiated thyroid carcinomaand their clinical significance

Objective Telomerase reverse transcriptase(TERT) promoter mutations have recently been described in thyroid carcinoma.The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of(v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1) BRAF V600 E and TERT promoter mutations in differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC).The relationship between the two mutations and NIS/TSHR expression was also analyzed.Methods We have detected BRAF V600 E and TERT promoter mutations by direct sequencing and NIS/TSHR expression by immunohistochemistry in 229 cases of DTC,52 cases of benign nodular goiter,and 31 cases of normal thyroid tissue.Results The BRAF V600 E mutation was detected in 142(62.0%) of 229 cases of DTC [141 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC) and 1 case of follicular thyroid carcinoma(FTC)].TERT promoter mutations were detected in 18(7.9%) of 229 cases of DTC(14 cases of PTC and 4 cases of FTC),including the mutations C228T(0.9%) and C250T(7.0%),which were mutually exclusive.Moreover,11(61.1%) cases also harbored the BRAF V600 E mutation,which was not associated with gender,age,tumor size,lymph node metastasis,and recurrence risk stratification(P >0.05).The rate of TERT promoter mutation was higher in males,age ≥45,and in the middle/high-risk group(P <0.05),and the rate of simultaneous BRAF V600 E and TERT promoter mutations were higher in the middle/high-risk group(P <0.05).In addition,NIS positive rate in the concurrent BRAF V600 E and TERT promoter mutation group(45.5 %) was lower than in other groups(that is,the DTC group with BRAF V600 E or TERT promoter mutations(55.1%),the DTC group with no BRAF V600 E or TERT promoter mutation(57.5%),the nodules and normal group(75.9%);| r | = 0.171,P = 0.002).Conclusion TERT promoter mutations were lower in patients with DTC,with the C250 T mutation being the most common.The detection of BRAF V600 E mutation combined with TERT promoter mutations was instructive for the prognosis assessment and treatment of DTC.

In the Basis of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, to Form Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, Metastasized and Then to De-Differentiate into Poorly Differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Thyroid squamous cell carcinoma is very rare. At present, it is limited to case reports. Since the thyroid follicular epithelium is the non-squamous epithelium, how primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the thyroid occurs is still a controversial issue. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is considered to be an independent risk factor for thyroid cancer, under the basis of HT, how tumor cells evolve and develop to papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and particularly to de-differentiate into SCC is elusive. We report a 72-year-old female patient who developed multiple subtypes of PTC on a basis of HT, and finally to de-differentiate into SCC within the local foci of lymph node metastasis. We found that there was a variety of sub-types of PTC in this patient in the background of HT. SCC was found within local lymph node metastasis. Pathomorphology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular pathology have confirmed that the SCC was derived from PTC, and then developed into poorly differentiated SCC and/or anaplastic carcinoma. We also conducted a comprehensive literature review.

Can I-124 PET/CT Predict Pathological Uptake of Therapeutic Dosages of Radioiodine (I-131) in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma?

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the role of I-124 PET/CT in the prediction of uptake of a therapeutic dosage I-131 during follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Methods: The results of 34 I-124 PET/CT scans performed in our hospital between 2007 and 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. All scans were made in patients under follow up, replacing the diagnostic I-131 or I-123 scintigraphy. In all cases thyroglobulin (Tg) was stimulated (by recombinant thyroid stimulating hormone (rhTSH) or thyroid hormone withdrawal). A dosage of 40 MBq I-124 was used, with scans at 24 hours and 96 hours after administration. Results were compared to subsequent I-131 post-treatment scans (6 cases) and a combination of follow up, stimulated Tg and other imaging tools results available to assess presence of recurrence. Results: Recurrence of DTC was found in 14/34 cases. I-124 PET/CT correctly detected recurrence in 2 cases, with false negative results in 12 cases. In 1 case a false positive I-124 PET/CT result was recorded. 19 true negative results were found. For I-124 PET/CT this meant a sensitivity of 14% and a specificity of 95%. Positive predictive value was 67%, negative predictive value 61%. Post-treatment I-131 uptake (6 cases) was correctly predicted in 1 case, with false negative results in 4 cases and 1 true negative result. Conclusions: In this study I-124 PET/CT did not reliably detect recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma. More importantly it failed to predict I-131 uptake on post-treatment scintigraphy in a significant number of cases, which would lead to under-treatment.

Analysis of the incidence and influencing factors of hyponatremia before ^(131)I treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND Hyponatremia is a common clinical electrolyte disorder.However,the association between hyponatremia and acute hypothyroidism is unclear.Acute hypothyroidism is usually seen in patients who undergo preparation for radioactive iodine therapy.AIM To analyze the incidence and influencing factors of hyponatremia in a condition of iatrogenic acute hypothyroidism in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer(DTC)before ^(131)I treatment.METHODS The study group consisted of 903 DTC patients who received ^(131)I treatment.The clinical data before and after surgery,as well as on the day of ^(131)I treatment were analyzed.According to the blood sodium level before ^(131)I treatment,patients were divided into the non-hyponatremia group and hyponatremia group.Correlations between serum sodium levels before ^(131)I treatment and baseline data were analyzed.Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression were performed to identify the influencing factors of hyponatremia.RESULTS A total of 903 patients with DTC,including 283(31.3%)males and 620(68.7%)females,with an average age of 43.8±12.7 years,were included in this study.The serum sodium levels before surgery and ^(131)I treatment were 141.3±2.3 and 140.5±2.1 mmol/L,respectively(P=0.001).However,the serum sodium levels in males and females before ^(131)I treatment were lower than those before surgery.Patients aged more than 60 years and less than 60 years also showed decreased serum sodium levels before ^(131)I treatment.In addition,the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)in males and females decreased before ^(131)I treatment compared with those before surgery(P=0.001).Moreover,eGFR in patients over 60 years and under 60 years decreased before ^(131)I treatment,when compared with that before surgery.There were no significant differences in serum potassium,calcium,albumin,hemoglobin,and blood glucose in patients before surgery and ^(131)I treatment(P>0.05).Among the 903 patients,23(2.5%)were diagnosed with hyponatremia before ^(131)I treatment,including 21 cases(91.3%)of mild hyponatremia and 2 cases(8.7%)of moderate hyponatremia.Clinical data showed that patients with mild hyponatremia had no specific clinical manifestations,while moderate hyponatremia cases were mainly characterized by fatigue and dizziness,which were similar to neurological symptoms caused by hypothyroidism and were difficult to distinguish.Correlation analysis showed a correlation between serum sodium before ^(131)I treatment and the preoperative level(r=0.395,P=0.001).There was no significant correlation between blood sodium and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)levels and urine iodine before ^(131)I treatment(r=0.045,P=0.174;r=0.013,P=0.697).Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in age,sex,history of diuretic use,distant metastasis,preoperative blood sodium,blood urea nitrogen(BUN),eGFR,TSH and urinary iodine between the two groups(all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that factors such as history of diuretic use,distant metastases,preoperative sodium and BUN were all influencing factors of hyponatremia.The Hosmer and Lemeshow test(c2=2.841,P=0.944)suggested a high fit of the model.Omnibus tests of model coefficients indicated the overall significance of the model in this fitted model(P<0.05).Preoperative serum sodium was a significant factor associated with pre-^(131)I therapy hyponatremia(OR=0.763;95%CI:0.627-0.928;P=0.007).CONCLUSION The incidence of hyponatremia induced by ^(131)I treatment preparation was not high.Preparation for radioactive iodine therapy was not a risk factor for the development of hyponatremia in thyroid cancer patients.

Correlation between sodium-iodide symporter expression and circulating tumor cell positivity in differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Objective We investigated the correlation between the expression of the sodium-iodide symporter(NIS) and the detection of circulating tumor cells(CTCs) in differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC).Methods NIS expression in differentiated thyroid and the positive rate of CTCs in the peripheral blood were determined by immunohistochemistry S-P and flow cytometry from the records of 172 cases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.Results Seventy-six cases(44.2%) expressed NIS in the differentiated thyroid and 63 cases(36.6%) were positive for CTCs in the peripheral blood. There was a significant difference between N0 and N1 in the expression of NIS(χ~2 = 6.015, P = 0.014) and the positive rate of CTCs(χ~2 = 14.035, P = 0.001). N0 and N1 also differed significantly in the expression of NIS(r =-0.383,-0.610, P = 0.002, < 0.001). The differences in the NIS expression, but not in the positive rate of CTCs, were significant among the different pathological subtypes(χ~2 = 7.897, P = 0.005; χ~2 = 1.455, P = 0.228, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between the highly differentiated type and intermediate differentiation type both in the expression of NIS and positive rate of CTCs(r =-0.591,-0.443, P < 0.001, P = 0.002). Conclusion There was a significant negative correlation between the expression of tissue NIS and positive rate of CTCs in the peripheral blood in DTC. The malignancy level and lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma were negatively correlated with NIS expression and positively correlated with the positive rate of CTC.

Scabrous patrinia root inhibits circulating tumor cells in differentiated thyroid carcinoma–a clinical observation

Objective To observe the clinical inhibition of circulating tumor cells(CTCs) in differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC) by the extract of scabrous patrinia root(Huikangling).Methods Eighty-seven DTC patients tested positive for CTCs were randomly divided into two groups; all patients were treated with oral levothyroxine sodium in accordance with the DTC endocrine inhibition treatment criteria. Patients(n = 45) in the treatment group were provided the standard endocrine therapy along with oral Huikangling(0.4 g/tablet, 0.4 g × 3/time, 3 times/day, 12 weeks). Patients(n = 42) in the control group were only provided the standard therapy. After 4 and 12 weeks, CTCs in the blood were detected by flow cytometry.Results After 4 weeks of oral Huikangling treatment, CTCs were detected in 18(40%) and 29(69%) patients in the treatment and control groups, respectively; the difference was statistically significant(χ2 = 8.49, P < 0.05). After 12 weeks, CTCs were detected in 7(15.6%) and 17(44.7%) patients in the treatment and control groups, respectively; the difference was statistically significant(χ2 = 5.68, P < 0.05). Follow-up evaluation revealed two patients with lung metastasis and one patient with bone metastasis in the control group; one patient showed lateral neck lymph node metastasis without local recurrence in the treatment group.Conclusion Huikangling treatment reduces the number of CTC-positive DTC cases; however, further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Adrenal metastasis from differentiated thyroid carcinoma documented on post-therapy ^(131)I scan: A case based discussion

Adrenal metastasis is an unusual site of disease involvement in the natural course of differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC). This paper discusses the clinical and imaging features of DTC with adrenal metastasis. An unusual case of unilateral solitary asymptomatic adrenal metastasis in the setting of DTC is described in this report with the imaging features including 131I scintigraphy and Fluorodeoxyglucose- Positron emission tomography/computed tomography. The adrenal metastasis was associated with other sites of metastatic disease involvement and was unidentified on initial pre-treatment evaluation studies. All such suspicious lesions should be further evaluated with clinicoradiological correlation by other imaging modalities. A postradioiodine therapy scan revealed radioiodine uptake in the thyroid bed, sternum and a focus of intense radioiodine concentration in the left suprarenal region. Spot oblique images and single photon emission computed tomography of the upper abdomen was undertaken to ascertain the position and better characterization of the lesion. A subsequent whole body PET-CT(non-contrast) was done which revealed a well defined 6.5 cm × 5.0 cm left adrenal lesion with a SUVmax(standardizeduptake value-maximum) of 9.5 in addition to a fluorodeoxyglucose avid osteolytic sternal lesion. The serum thyroglobulin level was significantly raised(more than 250 ng/mL) with thyroid stimulating hormone being 4.9 μΙU/mL(even following an adequate period of levothyroxine withdrawal), indicating the functioning nature of the metastases. In addition to demonstrating an atypical site of metastatic disease in DTC patients, this case emphasizes the importance of carefully interpreting and correlating a post radio-iodine therapy scan, particularly those with focal abdominal radio-iodine uptake which could aid in detecting metastatic lesions that are not characterized or identified on initial evaluation. The other important feature that can be deciphered from this report is that an adrenal metastasis could be unilateral and solitary, unlike that of renal metastases which are almost always bilateral and multiple at presentation, although both are usually asymptomatic.

^(131)I-chTNT-mediated radioimmunotherapy for non-uptaking ^(131)I pulmonary metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma

In this paper,the safety and efficacy of 131I-labeled mouse/human chimeric monoclonal antibody(131I-chTNT)-mediated radioimmunotherapy are evaluated because the patients have non-uptaking 131I pulmonary metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC).The 16 patients were injected intravenously by 29.6±3.7MBq·kg–1 using 131I-chTNT.The chest computer tomography was performed before treatment,as well as 28 and 70days after treatment.Responses and safety were assessed during the treatment.The results show that the 131I-chTNT infusion was well tolerated with the 12.5%complete response,18.8%partial response,25.0%progressive disease,and the 43.8%stable disease,indicating that most treatment-related adverse effects are mild transient and reversible.The131I-chTNT is promising for patients with non-uptaking the 131I pulmonary metastases from DTC.

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.

Risk stratification for radioactive iodine refractoriness using molecular alterations in distant metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer

Objective: Patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer(RAIR-DTC) are often diagnosed with delay and constrained to limited treatment options. The correlation between RAI refractoriness and the underlying genetic characteristics has not been extensively studied.Methods: Adult patients with distant metastatic DTC were enrolled and assigned to undergo next-generation sequencing of a customized 26-gene panel(Thyro Lead). Patients were classified into RAIR-DTC or non-RAIR groups to determine the differences in clinicopathological and molecular characteristics. Molecular risk stratification(MRS) was constructed based on the association between molecular alterations identified and RAI refractoriness, and the results were classified as high, intermediate or low MRS.Results: A total of 220 patients with distant metastases were included, 63.2% of whom were identified as RAIRDTC. Genetic alterations were identified in 90% of all the patients, with BRAF(59.7% vs. 17.3%), TERT promoter(43.9% vs. 7.4%), and TP53 mutations(11.5% vs. 3.7%) being more prevalent in the RAIR-DTC group than in the non-RAIR group, except for RET fusions(15.8% vs. 39.5%), which had the opposite pattern. BRAF and TERT promoter are independent predictors of RAIR-DTC, accounting for 67.6% of patients with RAIR-DTC. MRS was strongly associated with RAI refractoriness(P<0.001), with an odds ratio(OR) of high to low MRS of 7.52 [95%confidence interval(95% CI), 3.96-14.28;P<0.001] and an OR of intermediate to low MRS of 3.20(95% CI,1.01-10.14;P=0.041).Conclusions: Molecular alterations were associated with RAI refractoriness, with BRAF and TERT promoter mutations being the predominant contributors, followed by TP53 and DICER1 mutations. MRS might serve as a valuable tool for both prognosticating clinical outcomes and directing precision-based therapeutic interventions.

An overview of the contemporary diagnosis and management approaches for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Thyroid carcinoma is a complex disease with several types,the most common being well-differentiated and undifferentiated.The latter,“undifferentiated carcinoma”,also known as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma(ATC),is a highly aggr-essive malignant tumor accounting for less than 0.2%of all thyroid carcinomas and carries a poor prognosis with a median survival of 5 months.BRAF gene mutations are the most common molecular factor associated with this type of thyroid carcinoma.Recent advances in targeted biological agents,immuno-therapy,stem cell therapy,nanotechnology,the dabrafenib/trametinib com-bination therapy,immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICI)and artificial intelligence offer novel treatment options.The combination therapy of dabrafenib and tra-metinib is the current standard treatment for patients with BRAF-V600E gene mutations.Besides,the dabrafenib/trametinib combination therapy,ICI,used alone or in combination with targeted therapies have raised some hopes for improving the prognosis of this deadly disease.Younger age,earlier tumor stage and radiotherapy are all prognostic factors for improved outcomes.Ultimately,therapeutic regimens should be tailored to the individual patient based on surveillance and epidemiological data,and a multidisciplinary approach is ess-ential.

Current status of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

In this editorial we comment on the article by Pavlidis et al,published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Oncology.We focus on the recent contributions in the management of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma,highlighting the importance of surgery and radiotherapy as first line therapies in its management and the introduction of new systemic therapies beyond chemotherapy,focused on molecular alterations,an essential step in the diagnosis and included in clinical guidelines for the selection of the ideal treatment.In contrast to other neoplasms,immunotherapy,is still beginning in studies of this pathology with encouraging results.Therefore,multimodal management of the pathology together with new drugs seems to be the logical step to increase the survival of this neoplasm.

Studies on surgical methods for sporadic micromedullary thyroid carcinoma

Background:To observe the changes in serum calcitonin levels after application of different surgical methods for primary medullary thyroid microcarcinoma(MTMC)and explore a more reasonable surgical method.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 36 patients with MTMC,16 in group A and 20 in group B,was performed.In group A,tumors were single and confined to the thyroid lobe,and thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy was performed.In group B,tumors were in the isthmus or invaded the thyroid gland,or there were multiple foci in bilateral lobes,and patients with primary foci underwent total thyroidectomy.The median follow-up time was 3.6 years.Clinical and pathological characteristics and changes in serum calcitonin(CTn)and carcinoembryonic antigen levels after the surgery were compared between the 2 groups.Results:The difference in the biochemical cure rate after surgery was statistically significant between patients with preoperative serum calcitonin levels<150 pg/mL and≥150 pg/mL(P<0.01).No significant differences in the biochemical cure rates and serum calcitonin levels were noted at different time points after surgery between group A and group B(P>0.05).One recurrence and metastasis were observed in each group after surgery.Conclusions:After performing different surgical methods for the primary foci of MTMC,the changes in serum calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen levels are similar.Especially for patients with single foci confined to the thyroid lobe without lateral cervical lymph node metastasis and with serum calcitonin levels<150 pg/mL,the unilateral thyroid lobectomy with isthmectomy can achieve the same therapeutic effect and biochemical cure rate as total thyroidectomy.

Role of TSH Inhibition Therapy in the Postoperative Management of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Objective:To investigate the effect of TSH inhibition therapy in the postoperative management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.Methods:Seventy patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer were selected for the study.TSH inhibition therapy was administered to the research group,while thyroxine replacement therapy was provided to the control group during the postoperative management phase.This allowed for a comparative analysis between the two groups.Results:In comparison with the control group,the research group exhibited significant decreases in serum TSH,T3,and T4 levels after treatment,while FT4 and FT3 levels significantly increased(P<0.05).Additionally,significant decreases in Tg,VEGF,TSGF,CD44V6,and sIL-2R levels were observed in the research group after treatment(P<0.05).No significant differences were found in pre-treatment thyroid function between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The application of TSH inhibition therapy in the postoperative management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer demonstrates promising outcomes.