Local lymph node recurrence after central neck dissection in papillary thyroid cancers: A meta analysis

BackgroundProphylactic central neck dissection (CND) at the time of total thyroidectomy (TT) remains controversial in clinically node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to compare the local recurrence between patients who underwent TT plus CND and those who underwent TT alone.MethodsThe publicly available literature published from January 1990 to October 2017 concerning TT plus prophylactic CND versus TT for PTC was retrieved by searching the national and international online databases. Meta-analysis was performed after the data extraction process.ResultsTwenty-five studies with comparison between TT + CND and TT alone were eligible and included in this meta-analysis. For both PTC and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), the overall recurrence in TT + CND group was significantly lower than that in TT alone group. The central compartment recurrence was significantly higher in TT alone group than TT + CND group (OR = 3.41, 95% Cl [2.00 ～ 5.80], P < 0.00001), while no significant difference of lateral compartment recurrence was observed between the two groups (OR = 1.19, 95%Cl [0.81 ～ 1.77], P = 0.38). We compared ipsilateral CND + TT with TT alone and found that the recurrence was not significantly different between the two groups (OR = 1.44, 95%Cl [0.74 ～ 2.81], P = 0.28). On the other hand, bilateral CND + TT showed significantly low recurrence (OR = 2.48, 95%Cl [1.75 ～ 3.53], P < 0.00001).ConclusionsThe addition of CND to TT resulted in a greater reduction in risk of local recurrence than TT alone, especially preventing central neck recurrences. Additionally, we discovered that bilateral CND in patients with PTC > 1 cm was necessary.     

Evaluation of circulating cell free DNA in plasma as a biomarker of different thyroid diseases

IntroductionMany studies have been done on proteomics, genomics, epigenetic, immunogenetics in many body fluids. Among these, circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) entered the literature in 1948, but it has not been studied for many years due to technological deficiencies. Following recent advances, geno-metastasis has been mentioned and new research is needed in this area. ccfDNA is known to be an important biomolecule in this regard.ObjectiveThe presence of cell-free DNA in the circulatory system may offer a tremendous opportunity to provide novel biomarkers for thyroid diseases. This experimental study was conducted to determine the amount of ccfDNA in different thyroid diseases, then to evaluate whether the ccfDNA concentration varied between the disease groups and control group.MethodsIn total, we included 121 individuals in the present study. We collected blood samples and then determined the ccfDNA concentration in plasma of collected blood samples from three groups: thyroiditis (n = 33), benign (n = 37), and malignant (n = 30) and from a control group (n = 21).ResultsThe median values of the ccfDNA groups were found as 1610, 1665, 1685 and 576 ng/mL for the thyroiditis, benign, malign, and control groups, respectively. Findings showed that the ccfDNA of the three groups was significantly higher than the control (p < 0.0001). Each group was compared in terms of ccfDNA and the p-values of benign-thyroiditis, benign-malign, and thyroiditis-malign were 0.09, 0.65, and 0.29, respectively.ConclusionsThe clear differences between thyroid diseases and controls suggest that ccfDNA is worthy of attention as a biomarker for further evaluation of different thyroid diseases. Likewise, it might indicate a clear tendency that ccfDNA can also be used to distinguish different thyroid diseases.     

The prognostic and predictive role of 21-gene recurrence scores in hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer

Over the past two decades, gene expression profiling of breast cancer has emerged as an important tool in early-stage breast cancer management. The approach provides important information on underlying biological mechanisms, breast cancer classification, future risk potential of developing recurrent metastatic disease, and provides beneficial clues for adjuvant chemotherapy in hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer. Of the commercially available genomic tests for breast cancer, the prognostic and predictive value of 21-gene recurrence score tests have been validated using both retrospective data and prospective clinical trials. In this paper, we reviewed the current evidence on 21-gene expression profiles for HR-positive HER2-negative early-stage breast cancer management. We show that current evidence supports endocrine therapy alone as an appropriate adjuvant systemic therapy for approximately 70% of women with HR-positive, HER2-negative, node-negative breast cancer. Evolving evidence also suggests that 21-gene recurrence scores have predictive values for node-positive breast cancer and that chemotherapy can be avoided in more than half of women with nodes 1 to 3 positive HR-positive breast cancer. Furthermore, retrospective data also supports the predictive role of 21-gene recurrence scores for adjuvant radiation therapy. A prospective trial in this area is ongoing.     

The pathophysiology and therapy of menopausal symptoms

Menopause is generally experienced as a biopsychosocial process involving physiological changes, and influenced by a wide range of psychological, social and cultural factors. The loss of ovarian oestrogen production may cause debilitating symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, bladder dysfunction, loss of libido, and mood changes. Experience of the menopause transition varies widely between individuals, depending on the age of onset, personal health and wellbeing, social context, environment and culture.Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) remains the most effective treatment for the management of vasomotor symptoms and vaginal dryness, but has no proven role in the treatment of chronic diseases of ageing. Treatment should be individualized, and for most healthy women aged 50–59 years the risks of HRT are low. An understanding of the pathophysiology of menopausal symptoms and the risks and benefits of both hormonal and non-hormonal treatments assists in the individual management of patients.     

促甲状腺素抑制治疗甲状腺癌患者的膳食调查分析

目的 对促甲状腺素(TSH) 抑制治疗期间的分化型甲状腺癌(DTC)患者进行膳食调查，为对患者进行个性化膳食指导及营养干预研究提供参考依据。方法 从湖南省肿瘤医院甲状腺内科的门诊患者中收集行TSH抑制治疗的DTC患者，根据抑制治疗副作用危险分层标准，收集低、中、高危患者各200例，共600例患者作为研究对象。对所有入选病例进行膳食调查:一年食物摄入频率和3天24小时回顾法膳食调查。结果 TSH抑制治疗的DTC患者整体人群膳食摄入不足且膳食结构不合理；整体人群畜肉类摄入过多，鱼类及水产品、蛋、奶、豆、蔬菜、水果则摄入过少；整体人群脂类、碳水化合物、维生素E摄入量基本达到要求；蛋白质、膳食纤维、钙、铁、锌、硒、维生素A、维生素B1、维生素B2、维生素C、烟酸摄入明显不足；碘摄入基本符合要求；低、中、高危组膳食摄入不足率分别是21.0%、8.0%、11.5%；中危组畜肉类摄入最多，碘摄入有0.5%的患者超标；高危组牛奶摄入最少。结论 TSH抑制治疗的DTC患者膳食结构不合理及多种营养素摄入不足，在临床工作中应加强对整体人群的营养教育及针对性的干预，以降低TSH抑制治疗对心血管系统及影响骨代谢的风险。