Regional lymph node metastases in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma

The status of regional lymph node metastases was assessed in 171 patients with thyroid cancer who underwent a variety of thyroidectomy procedures with regional lymph node dissection at Kanazawa University, from January 1979 to March 1986. The rates of regional lymph node metastasis in minimal and ordinary thyroid cancer were 57% and 84% respectively. Since the rates of lymph node metastasis were high not only in the central cervical compartment but also in the lateral jugular compartment, modified radical neck dissection in the ipsilateral neck is at least recommended in patients with these thyroid cancers. Furthermore, high frequencies of bilateral regional lymph node metastases were found in patients with obviously widespread involvement of the bilateral lobes, with cancer located in the isthmus, with clinically detectable bilateral or contralateral jugular lymph node metastases and with histological involvement in the contralateral paratracheal lymph nodes. Bilateral modified radical neck dissection is recommended in these patients.     

Level VI lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy and commonly metastasizes to regional lymph nodes. Surgical treatment of cervical lymph nodes in PTC remains controversial. It has traditionally been accepted that regional lymph node metastases in PTC may increase local recurrence rates but do not ultimately affect survival. This conventional wisdom has been challenged by recent reports indicating that regional lymph node metastases do increase mortality. Thus, there has been renewed interest in operative control of nodal disease for PTC. A systematic review of central lymph node dissection (CLND) in the recent literature using evidence-based criteria permitted formation of the following five recommendations: 1) limited data suggest benefit with the addition of prophylactic CLND to thyroidectomy (grade C); 2) systematic compartment-oriented CLND may decrease recurrence of PTC and improve disease-specific survival (no grade); 3) the addition of CLND to total thyroidectomy can significantly reduce levels of serum thyroglobulin and increase rates of athyroglobulinemia (no grade); 4) there may be a higher rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism and unintentional permanent nerve injury when CLND is performed with total thyroidectomy than for total thyroidectomy alone (grade C); 5) reoperation in the central neck compartment for recurrent PTC may increase the risk of hypoparathyroidism and unintentional nerve injury when compared to total thyroidectomy with or without CLND, supporting a more aggressive initial operation by experienced endocrine surgeons (grade C). Taken together, these recommendations support the application of routine CLND at the initial operation for papillary thyroid cancer in expert hands.     

甲状腺乳头状癌区域淋巴结清扫与131I治疗的对比分析

目的:比较甲状腺乳头状癌中央组淋巴结清扫与131Ⅰ辅助治疗的临床效果.方法:选择5年半内收治的390例甲状腺乳头状癌cN0患者的临床资料行回顾性分析,患者分别行甲状腺全切除+中央组淋巴结清扫(A组),甲状腺全切除+术后131Ⅰ治疗(B组)和单纯甲状腺全切除术(C组).结果:中央组淋巴结清扫组(A组)与非清扫组(B+C组)各种术后并发症(喉返神经损伤、喉上神经损伤、甲状旁腺功能低下)发生率差异无统计学意义(均P＞0.05);B组131I治疗后放射病发生率为51.5％.3组术后5年复发率与转移率比较,A组中央区复发率分别为0,明显低于B组(7.7％)和C组(13.8％)(均P＜0.05);A,B,C组颈侧区转移率及无影像学证据血清甲状腺球蛋白升高率依次增高(1.5％,6.2％,9.2％;3.1％,7.7％,15.4％),其中A组与C组间差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05).B组平均住院日最长,住院费用最高,与A,C组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P＜0.05).结论:甲状腺乳头状癌患者常规行中央组淋巴清扫有助于降低复发率,且无增加手术并发症风险;131I治疗不能完全代替淋巴结清扫术,且患者并发症、住院日和费用增加.     

The value of intraoperative pentagastrin testing in medullary thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND: The decrease of calcitonin levels after curative operation in patients with medullary thyroid cancer is characterized by individual variation; therefore, intraoperative calcitonin measurements to evaluate the completeness of the resection seem to not be feasible. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an intraoperative pentagastrin test after thyroidectomy and central neck dissection is useful to predict lymph node involvement of the lateral neck. METHODS: A group of 30 consecutive patients underwent primary surgery. After thyroidectomy and dissection of the central lymph node compartment, an intraoperative pentagastrin test was performed. Biochemical and histologic data were compared retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the group, 20 patients (67%) showed no, or only central neck lymph node, involvement and no increase in calcitonin after intraoperative stimulation. Lymph node involvement was documented histologically in the lateral neck of 10 patients (33%), and 8 patients showed an increase of calcitonin as an indication of lymph node involvement. In two patients, each with 1 single micrometastasis in the lateral neck, the intraoperative pentagastrin test was negative. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative calcitonin monitoring after pentagastrin stimulation seems promising in predicting lymph node involvement of the lateral neck to aid selection of patients for lateral lymph node dissection. The development of a highly sensitive, quick calcitonin assay is imperative.     

Importance of lymph node metastases in follicular thyroid cancer

There are many concepts of risk and prognostic factor analysis for differentiated thyroid cancer. The prognostic role of lymph node metastases in follicular thyroid cancer (FTC), however, is still controversial. We performed a retrospective trial in 186 patients with FTC (124 women, 62 men; mean follow-up 5.5 years) questioning whether lymph node metastases and radical thyroid surgery with neck dissection contribute to the prognosis of FTC. Univariate analysis demonstrated that lymph node metastasesp <0.005), tumor size (p <0.005), tumor stage (p <0.005), distant metastases p = 0.0063), and gender (p = 0.003) are significant prognostic factors for recurrence (Kaplan-Meier). Tumor size (p = 0.004), lymph node metastases p = 0.0478), and distant metastases p = 0.0064) influenced mortality. Age and extent of surgery were not significant for recurrence nor was gender for mortality. Multivariate analysis (Cox regression test) characterized tumor size (p <0.005) and lymph node metastases p = 0.004) as prognostic factors for recurrence of FTC. No significant difference was detected between patients being treated by thyroidectomy when compared to patients treated by thyroidectomy plus neck dissection in relation to recurrence. Our data demonstrate lymph node metastases to be a significant prognostic factor for recurrence of FTC and the patient’s survival. We advocate thyroidectomy plus central lymph node dissection as the basic surgical strategy. For T3 and T4 tumors, unilateral modified neck dissection is an all but optional procedure. Whether radical surgery with thyroidectomy plus neck dissection has an impact on survival remains questionable.     

Role of prophylactic central neck dissection in clinically node-negative differentiated thyroid cancer: assessment of the risk of regional recurrence

Prophylactic central neck dissection in clinically node-negative patients remains controversial. The aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to determine the rate of metastases in the central neck in clinically node-negative differentiated thyroid cancer patients, to examine the morbidity, and to assess the risk of regional recurrence in patients treated with total thyroidectomy with concomitant bilateral or ipsilateral central neck dissection compared with those undergoing total thyroidectomy alone. 258 consecutive clinically node-negative patients were divided into three groups according to the procedures performed: total thyroidectomy only (group A), total thyroidectomy with concomitant ipsilateral central neck dissection (group B), and total thyroidectomy combined with bilateral central neck dissection (group C). Mean operative time and postoperative stay were shorter in Group A (p < 0.01). The incidence of postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism was lower in Group A (p = 0.03), whereas no differences in the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism and nerve palsy were present. Postoperative radioactive iodine administration was higher in group B and particularly C (p = 0.03) compared with group A. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of regional recurrence. Differentiated thyroid cancer has a high rate of central lymph node metastasis even in clinically node-negative patients; in the present study there was no statistically significant difference in the rates of locoregional recurrence between the three modalities of treatment. Total thyroidectomy appears to be an adequate treatment for clinically node-negative differentiated thyroid cancer. Prophylactic central neck dissection might be considered for differentiated thyroid cancer patients with large tumor size or extrathyroidal extension.     

未发现淋巴结转移的甲状腺乳头状癌中央区淋巴结清扫的临床病理分析

目的探讨颈部中央区淋巴结清扫在临床上未发现淋巴结转移（cN0）甲状腺乳头状癌患者中应用的意义。方法收集1998年1月至2006年4月收治的641例cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者的临床病理资料,统计分析中央区淋巴结的转移情况,并分析其与患者的性别、年龄、原发灶大小及数目的关系。同时对治疗5年以上的114例患者进行随访,分析颈侧区淋巴结转移和对侧甲状腺腺叶复发与初治时中央区淋巴结病理隋况的关系。结果cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者颈部中央区淋巴结转移的阳性率为53．0％。中央区淋巴结转移与原发灶的T分期和数目有关,与患者的性别和年龄无关。随访的114例患者中12例发生同侧颈侧区淋巴结转移,其中11例患者第一次手术时中央区淋巴结的转移阳性率较高。5例对侧甲状腺腺叶再发乳头状癌,其初治时中央区淋巴结病理情况差异较大。结论cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者应常规行中央区淋巴结清扫;中央区淋巴结病理情况与肿瘤原发灶的数目有关;中央区淋巴结转移阳性率高者易出现同侧颈侧区淋巴结转移。     

全甲状腺切除加功能性颈淋巴结清扫治疗甲状腺乳头状癌172例

目的 探讨甲状腺乳头状癌颈淋巴结转移模式以及全甲状腺切除+功能性颈淋巴结清扫术在甲状腺乳头状癌治疗中的作用.方法 回顾性分析一期全甲状腺切除+功能性颈淋巴结清扫术治疗的172例甲状腺乳头状癌患者的临床和病理资料.结果 172例患者的219侧功能性颈淋巴结清扫结果提示颈淋巴结转移率依次为Ⅵ区(96.3%)、Ⅳ区(78.5%)、Ⅲ区(62.1%).肿瘤浸润甲状腺被膜者颈淋巴结转移率明显增高(P＜0.05).124例术后1 d血清甲状旁腺素(15.87±8.03)pg/ml较术前(37.68±15.0)pg/ml显著降低(P＜0.01).患者5年、10年和15年的生存率分别为(98.83±0.82)%、(98.23±1.02)%和(96.42±1.43)%.结论 术中快速冰冻切片是确定Ⅵ区淋巴结病理状态的可靠方法.准确掌握全甲状腺切除+功能性颈淋巴结清扫术的适应证,术后患者可获得长期生存.     

Central Lymph Node Dissection in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Background There has been renewed interest in extensive lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and a number of reports have been published concerning compartment-oriented dissection of regional lymph nodes in PTC. A comprehensive review of this body of literature using evidence-based methodology is pending. Methods Systematic review of the literature using evidence-based criteria. Results Issue 1: Systematic compartment-oriented central lymph node dissection (CLND) may decrease recurrence of PTC (Levels IV and V data, no recommendation) and likely improves disease-specific survival (grade C recommendation). Limited level III data suggest survival benefit with the addition of prophylactic dissection to thyroidectomy (grade C recommendation). The addition of CLND to total thyroidectomy can significantly reduce levels of serum thyroglobulin and increase rates of athyroglobulinemia (level IV data, no recommendation). Issue 2: There may be a higher rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism and unintentional permanent nerve injury when CLND is performed with total thyroidectomy than for total thyroidectomy alone (grade C recommendation). Issue 3: Reoperation in the central neck compartment for recurrent PTC may increase the risk of hypoparathyroidism and unintentional nerve injury when compared with total thyroidectomy with or without CLND (grade C recommendation), supporting a more aggressive initial operation. Conclusion Evidence-based recommendations support CLND for PTC in patients under the care of experienced endocrine surgeons.     

联合甲状腺全切除和中央区淋巴结清扫术治疗甲状腺乳头状癌安全性的meta分析

目的 评价同时进行甲状腺全切除和颈中央区淋巴结清扫术治疗甲状腺乳头状癌的安全性.方法 采用Mantel-Haenszel法对符合入选标准的7篇文献进行meta分析,计算相对危险度.结果 7个临床试验共有1524例符合人选条件,其中904例单行甲状腺全切除术,620例同时实施了甲状腺全切除和中央区淋巴结清扫.与单行甲状腺全切除组相比联合手术组术后暂时性低钙血症(P=0.03)和暂时性声带麻痹(P=0.01)的发生率增加,永久性低钙血症(P=0.32)和永久性声带麻痹(P=0.75)发生率无明显差别.结论 同时实施甲状腺全切除和颈中央区淋巴结清扫增加的手术并发症都是一过性的,对高危组甲状腺乳头状癌可以考虑实施预防性颈中央区淋巴结清扫.     

Endoscopic thyroidectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy via an anterior chest approach for papillary thyroid cancer

The clinical role of endoscopic thyroidectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for differentiated thyroid cancer remains open to debate. Conventional thyroidectomy requires a cervical incision and often leaves an unsightly scar on the anterior neck. Endoscopic thyroidectomy is technically feasible and safe, with much better cosmetic results. The prognostic importance of lymph node metastasis in thyroid cancer makes central lymph node dissection a crucial option in thyroid cancer surgery. However, it is associated with an increased risk of complications such as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or hypoparathyroidism, even in expert hands. Thus, the feasibility and future role of SLNB in thyroid cancer remains controversial. We describe our technique of performing endoscopic thyroidectomy with SLNB and central lymph node dissection via a gasless anterior chest approach for thyroid cancer.     

Review analysis of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid: a 15-year Indian experience

The aim of this study was to emphasize the importance of adequate primary surgery in cases of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. We retrospectively reviewed 44 cases of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid treated in Government General Hospital, Chennai between 1987 and 2002. Patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with only central compartment dissection were compared with those who had undergone total thyroidectomy with meticulous triple compartment (bilateral lateral and central groups) nodal dissection. The group of total thyroidectomy with only central compartment dissection had a high rate of lymph nodal recurrence and persistent hypercalcitoninemia compared with the group with total thyroidectomy with meticulous triple compartment nodal dissection. (chi square, 4.503; P > 0.05). Primary surgery with total thyroidectomy with meticulous triple compartment dissection is superior to total thyroidectomy with central compartment dissection alone in terms of preventing nodal and local recurrences and achieving normal (basal and stimulated) serum calcitonin levels postoperatively.     

Lymph node dissection in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma – who benefits?

Introduction: Papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas are the most common thyroid malignancies and are usually indolent. Lymph-node involvement increases the rate of tumor recurrence and reduces long-term survival. However, characteristics such as age, long-term iodine deficiency, histological grade, extrathyroidal extension and distant metastases are clearly much more potent adverse factors than cervical lymph node metastases. Although there are no prospective randomised studies showing the overall benefit of routine cervicocentral lymph-node dissection in addition to total thyroidectomy, we propose this procedure as a standard part of primary surgery in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Results: In specialised centres, morbidity is not higher than for thyroidectomy alone. However, there is a significant increase in morbidity after re-operation in the cervicocentral compartment. Modified neck dissection of the cervicolateral compartment should only be performed if there is clinical evidence of lymph-node involvement in this area. Conclusions: This strategy provides the optimal surgical treatment for all subgroups of patients with DTC and creates optimal conditions for effective postoperative radioiodine ablation, which is another prognostic factor strongly associated with recurrence and survival in these patients. Received: 31 March 1998 / Accepted: 18 May 1998     

Locoregional control in patients with palpable medullary thyroid cancer: results of standardized compartment-oriented surgery

BACKGROUND: Extent of neck dissection is controversial in patients with palpable medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). METHODS: We evaluated 64 MTC patients (19 hereditary, 45 sporadic) with palpable thyroid nodules (group 1, n = 35) or palpable lymph node metastases (group 2, n = 29). Standard surgery included total thyroidectomy, central compartment dissection, and additional neck dissection on indication. RESULTS: In group 1, 40% of the patients were cured. Thirty-one percent of all patients had central, 23% ipsilateral, 14% contralateral, and 14% mediastinal, metastases. Fifty-one percent developed locoregional recurrence. Locoregional recurrence (p = .043) and reoperations (p = .020) were noted more often after a less than standard initial procedure. In group 2, no patients were cured. All had central, 93% ipsilateral, 45% contralateral, and 52% mediastinal metastases. Thirty-eight percent developed locoregional recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Locoregional recurrence frequently occurs in palpable MTC, and tumor control may be improved by standard central, bilateral, and upper mediastinal neck dissection.     

高分化甲状腺癌再手术原因和颈淋巴结转移的危险因素分析

目的 探讨高分化型甲状腺癌再手术的原因和再手术时肿大淋巴结转移的危险因素.方法 回顾性分析昆明医学院第一附属医院普通外科1998-2005年收治的54例行颈淋巴结清扫高分化型甲状腺癌再手术患者的病历资料.结果 39例不规范手术后的甲状腺残癌率和淋巴结转移率均显著高于15例根治后的患者(P<0.05).再手术时患者年龄<45岁、首次手术前同侧颈部淋巴结肿大、同侧癌灶残留或复发、原发癌的多中心性和再手术时B超提示淋巴结皮髓质分界不清等是再手术时同侧肿大淋巴结转移的危险因素(P<0.05);原发癌的多中心性和对侧癌灶的出现,是再手术时对侧肿大淋巴结转移的危险因素(P<0.05).结论 首次手术的个体化的规范根治和必要的颈部淋巴结清扫是避免高分化型甲状腺癌复发再手术的关键.再手术时应行全甲状腺切除,对有淋巴结转移危险因素的患者,应行改良性或选择性区域颈淋巴结清扫.     

Is it possible to intraoperatively modulate the extent of thyroidectomy in small papillary thyroid carcinoma?

BackgroundThyroid lobectomy is the preferred option for small, unifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma. Involvement of the central neck lymph nodes is an indication for total thyroidectomy plus central neck dissection. We aimed to verify if frozen section examination of ipsilateral central neck nodes can identify the subgroup of patients scheduled for thyroid lobectomy intraoperatively who could benefit of more extensive initial operative treatment.MethodsNinety-four consenting patients with clinically unifocal cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma underwent thyroid lobectomy plus ipsilateral central neck dissection with frozen section examination. If the frozen section examination was positive for metastases, a completion thyroidectomy and a bilateral central neck dissection were accomplished during the same procedure.ResultsFrozen section examination identified occult nodal metastases in 25 of the 94 patients who then underwent immediate completion thyroidectomy and bilateral central neck dissection. Overall, central neck node metastases were found at final histology in 35 cases: occult micrometastases were observed in additional 9 patients and nodal metastases ≥2 mm in additional 1 patient.ConclusionIntraoperative assessment of nodal status obtained with ipsilateral central neck dissection and frozen section examination is able to change the extent of thyroidectomy in about one-fourth of patients scheduled for thyroid lobectomy. Frozen section examination appears a safe and effective strategy to decrease the need of a second-step completion procedure and, theoretically, the risk of recurrence.     

Localization of Cervical Node Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Precise localization of cervical node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma is rarely described. The aim of this retrospective study was to map their cervical involvement. Between 1974 and 1996 a series of 119 patients had total thyroidectomy with bilateral cervical lymph node dissection. Patients who had secondary node dissection for a cervical recurrence were excluded. Eight node sites were distinguished (ipsilateral and contralateral): paratracheal, mid-jugular, supraclavicular, subdigastric. All pathologic specimens were reviewed by a single pathologist. Twenty-five patients had lymph node involvement clinically before surgery. Seventy-two (60.5%) had cervical metastasis (N+: node positive patients), with bilateral involvement in 28 cases. In cases of bilateral thyroid tumor localization, ipsilateral dissection designated the side with the largest nodule. The main ipsilateral involved sites were paratracheal (60 patients), mid-jugular (44 patients), and supraclavicular (26 patients). Contralateral paratracheal nodes were involved in 25 patients and mid-jugular nodes in 12. Among the N+ patients, node involvement was absent in 11 cases at paratracheal, 28 jugular, and 46 subclavicular sites. Cervical node metastases concerned 60.5% of the patients, with bilateral involvement in 40.8% of the N+ patients. Ipsilateral paratracheal and jugular sites were most frequently involved. The lateral compartment was sometimes involved independent of the central compartment.     

Lymph node dissection in non-medullary differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas are the most common form of endocrine carcinomas. Lymph node involvement seems to be a low risk factor for death, but it increases the risk for loco-regional recurrences and distant metastasis. The limits and the key points of the cervical lymph node dissection are described. The sentinel lymph node is used to rarely, so it could limit the lymph dissection. Node-picking has to be avoided. Central lymph node resection is recommended for high-risk patients, as male, patients more than 45 or less than 21 years old, papillary carcinomas greater than 1 cm or follicular carcinoma more than 2 cm in diameter. Lateral lymph node resection is performed when the lymph nodes of the central compartment are involved, more than 3 cm in diameter, and bulked. Prophylactic lymphadenectomy is useless. When thyroid carcinoma is known postoperatively, re-operation depends of the cervical mass and of the results of the radioactive iodine treatment.     

Thyroid cancer in children: management and outcome experience of a referral center.

OBJECTIVE: To shed light on the discrepancy between the advanced stage at presentation and high recurrence rate of well-differentiated thyroid cancer in children and the overall good survival. DESIGN AND METHODS: The files of 75 children with well-differentiated thyroid cancer treated from 1954 to 2001 in a major tertiary-care hospital were reviewed for disease course, management, and outcome. RESULTS: Sixty patients (80%) had positive neck metastases with involvement of central compartment lymph nodes in all, lateral neck nodes in 36, and distant metastases in 4. Sixty-seven patients underwent total thyroidectomy with adjuvant radioiodine treatment and 8 underwent hemithyroidectomy; all had concomitant neck treatment. The rate of local (5%) and neck (9%) recurrence was similar to the total rate reported in adults. Total thyroidectomy led to a significantly lower recurrence rate (7.5%) than hemithyroidectomy (38%; P < 0.005). Type of neck dissection did not affect recurrence or appearance of distant metastases. All deaths (n = 2) were due to distant metastases, whereas 30% of adult deaths are due to local or neck disease. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of choice for well-differentiated thyroid cancer in young patients is total thyroidectomy. Neither regional disease at presentation nor recurrences affect survival.     

Central lymph node metastasis of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma: patterns and factors predictive of nodal metastasis, morbidity, and recurrence

Background  

Although subclinical cervical lymph node (LN) metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are common, the efficacy of prophylactic central LN dissection (CLND) is unclear. Few prospective studies have assessed the relationships between complete pathologic information regarding tumors and metastatic nodes in the central compartment. We therefore investigated the pattern and predictive indicators of central LN metastasis, morbidity, and recurrence in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and prophylactic CLND for unilateral PTC and clinically node-negative neck (cN0) disease.