Preoperative Subclinical Hyperthyroidism in Patients With Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Objectives

Numerous studies have reported the effects of subclinical hyperthyroidism on the cardiovascular system, osteoporosis, and metabolic syndrome. However, there are few studies examining the relationships between subclinical hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between preoperative subclinical hyperthyroidism and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in terms of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) values.

Methods

Between January 2001 and December 2007, 462 patients were eligible for analysis in our study; we compared the clinicopathological characteristics of 39 preoperative subclinical hyperthyroidism patients with those of 423 euthyroid patients.

Results

There were no statistical differences between the 2 groups with respect to age, male to female ratio, primary tumor size, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), multifocality, lymph node metastasis, TNM and AMES stages, recurrence, and survival, despite significant difference in TSH concentrations between the 2 groups. In the evaluation for TRAb, primary tumor size was significantly larger in patients with normal TRAb than in patients with elevated TRAb. When the patients were subdivided into 4 categories according to TRAb values (<5.0%; 5.0%-10.0%; 10.1%-15.0%; >15.0%), tumor size and ETE were significantly different. However, we could not find linear relationships in the increase or decrease of TRAb values.

Conclusion

The results of our study suggest that subclinical hyperthyroidism is not independently associated with tumor aggressiveness and prognosis in PTC in spite of reduced TSH levels and increased TRAb values as compared with euthyroid patients.     

Multifocality and Bilaterality of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

Objectives

Papillary thyroid carcinomas frequently occur as two or more separate foci within the thyroid gland (18%-87%). However, those multifocal tumors are easy to be undetected by preoperative radiologic evaluations, which lead to remnant disease after initial surgery. We aimed to study the incidence of multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs), diagnostic accuracy of preoperative radiologic evaluation, predictive factors, and the chance of bilateral tumors.

Methods

Two hundred and seventy-seven patients with PTMC were included in this study. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy as an initial treatment. Medical records, pathologic reports, and radiological reports were reviewed for analysis.

Results

Multifocal PTMCs were detected in 100 of 277 patients (36.1%). The mean number of tumors in each patient was 1.6±1.1, ranging from 1 to 10. The additional tumor foci were significantly smaller (0.32±0.18 cm) than the primary tumors (0.63±0.22 cm) (P<0.001). There was no significant relationship between primary tumor size and the presence of contralateral tumors. With more tumors detected in one lobe, there was greater chance of contralateral tumors; 18.8% with single tumor focus, 30.2% with 2 tumor foci, and 46.2% with 3 or more tumor foci in one lobe. Sensitivity of preoperative sonography was 42.7% for multifocal tumors and 49.0% for bilateral tumors. With multivariate analysis, nodular hyperplasia was the only significant factor for multifocal tumors.

Conclusion

In cases of PTMCs, the incidence of multifocal tumors is high. However, additional tumor foci are too small to be diagnosed preoperatively, especially under the recent guidelines on radiologic screening tests for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Multifocal PTMCs have high risk of bilateral tumors, necessitating more extensive surgery or more thorough follow-up.     

Relationship Between Preepiglottic Space Invasion and Lymphatic Metastasis in Supracricoid Partial Laryngectomy With Cricohyoidopexy

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the role of preepiglottic space (PES) invasion in lymph node metastasis and prognosis in patients undergoing supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidopexy (CHP).

Methods

A retrospective review of 42 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx that underwent surgery was performed. The mean age of the subjects was 61.3 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 38:4. Regarding their pathological stages, there were 3, 8, 22, and 9 cases of stage T1 to T4, respectively. Concerning the disease stage of the cervical lymph nodes, there were 30, 5, 6, and 1 cases with N0 to N3, respectively.

Results

The PES invasion rate was 23.8% (10/42). Significant correlations were found between PES invasion and cervical lymph node metastasis (P=0.002). Seven of the 10 patients (70.0%) with PES invasion had cervical lymph node metastasis, whereas only 5 of the 32 patients (15.6%) without any evidence of PES invasion had lymph node metastasis. There was also a significant correlation of PES invasion with age (P=0.002) and T stage (P=0.030). However, there was no significant relationship between gender, primary tumor site, anterior commissure invasion, subglottic extension, paraglottic space invasion and PES invasion. There was a 5-year disease-specific survival of 70%. PES invasion served as a statistically significant prognostic factor for disease-specific survival (P=0.004). Cervical nodal metastasis (P=0.003) and subglottic extension (P=0.01) were also statistically significant prognostic factors associated with disease-specific survival.

Conclusion

The PES invasion was significantly related to the cervical lymph node metastasis and prognosis in patients undergoing SCPL with CHP.     

Lymph node status of lateral neck compartment in patients with N1b papillary thyroid carcinoma

Conclusion Loco-regional recurrence-free survival was significantly decreased in the papillary thyroid cancer patients with >?6 metastatic lymph nodes and a lymph node ratio >?0.22. Also, the risk of lung metastasis was significantly increased in cases with bilateral neck node metastases.

Objective This study focused on the metastatic lymph node status of the lateral neck compartment to understand its prognostic significance for loco-regional recurrence and distant metastasis.

Methods Between January 2004 and December 2009, 1040 patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer and underwent treatment.

Results In a multivariate analysis, sex, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, and the lymph node ratio was significantly associated with loco-regional recurrence. The sensitivity/specificity of >?6 metastatic lymph nodes for predicting recurrence was 64.0%/69.7%. The 5-year loco-regional recurrence-free survival of patients with 0–6 metastatic lymph nodes and >?6 metastatic lymph nodes were 93.4% and 79.2%, respectively. The 5-year loco-regional recurrence-free survival of patients with a lymph node ratio ≤?0.22 and a lymph node ratio >?0.22 were 97.1% and 78.8%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, only bilateral neck node metastases were significantly associated with lung metastasis.     

Conversion from Selective to Comprehensive Neck Dissection: Is It Necessary for Occult Nodal Metastasis? 5-Year Observational Study

Objectives

To compare the therapeutic results between selective neck dissection (SND) and conversion modified radical neck dissection (MRND) for the occult nodal metastasis cases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

Forty-four cases with occult nodal metastasis were enrolled in this observational cohort study. For twenty-nine cases, SNDs were done and for fifteen cases, as metastatic nodes were found in the operative field, conversion from selective to MRNDs type II were done. Baseline data on primary site, T and N stage, extent of SND, extracapsular spread of occult metastatic node and type of postoperative adjuvant therapy were obtained. We compared locoregional control rate, overall survival rate and disease specific survival rate between two groups.

Results

Among the 29 patients who underwent SND, only one patient had a nodal recurrence which occurred in the contralateral undissected neck. On the other hand, among the 15 patients who underwent conversion MRND, two patients had nodal recurrences which occurred in previously undissected neck. According to the Kaplan Meier survival curve, there was no statistically significant difference for locoregional control rate, overall survival rate and disease specific survival rate between two groups (P=0.2719, P=0.7596, and P=0.2405, respectively).

Conclusion

SND is enough to treat occult nodal metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and it is not necessary to convert from SND to comprehensive neck dissection.     

Recurrence pattern after conservative surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma

Objective

Risk-based treatment represents the optimal management strategy for papillary thyroid carcinoma; however, the optimal extent of thyroidectomy and neck dissection remains controversial. This study aims to clarify the pattern of recurrence after conservative surgery in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 93 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma treated with conservative surgery. We analyzed recurrence rate, recurrence pattern, risk factors for recurrence, salvage treatment, and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients stratified according to risk.

Results

The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the low-risk group compared with the high-risk group (14% vs 34%; p < 0.01). The recurrence pattern also differed between the two groups, with ipsilateral lateral neck recurrence being more common in the low-risk group (9%), while contralateral lateral neck recurrence was more common in the high-risk group (18%). Patients with contralateral thyroid lobe metastasis and/or direct contralateral thyroid lobe invasion showed a significantly higher rate of contralateral lateral neck metastasis than patients negative for both these features. The overall 5-year DFS was 81% in all patients. Advanced T and N classification, large primary tumor (≥4 cm), extrathyroidal invasion, and high-risk group were significantly associated with poorer 5-year DFS in univariate analysis.

Conclusion

Conservative surgery may represent a good treatment option for patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma. Tumor recurrence patterns differ between risk groups, with contralateral thyroid lobe lesions and direct contralateral lobe invasion being risk factors for contralateral lateral neck recurrence.     

Clinicopathologic Predictive Factors of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Background

Cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) has been proven to be a predictor for locoregional recurrence in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Clinicopathological features could be effective predictive factors for central and lateral LNM of DTC, and provide references to surgeons for cervical neck dissection.

Relationships between Lymph Node Metastasis and Expression of CD31, D2-40, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors A and C in Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Objectives

To investigate the relationships between lymph node metastasis (LNM) and expression of CD31, D2-40 and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-A and -C in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

Methods

Paraffin-embedded thyroid tissues of 72 patients were evaluated, which included 25 patients with thyroid nodular hyperplasia (TNH), 24 PTC patients without LNM, and 23 PTC patients with LNM. Three pathologists, who were blinded to the patient''s clinical information, assessed the immunohistochemical staining results. The amount of expression was scored as high (>25% of cells stained) or low (0-25%).

Results

A higher level of VEGF-A expression was observed in the PTC groups regardless of LNM when compared to the group with TNH (91.3%, 79.2%, 4.0%, respectively). VEGF-C expression in the PTC with LNM group was significantly higher than the other two groups (P<0.05). No difference in microvessel density (MVD) scores was observed using CD31 among the three groups. The lymphatic vessel density (LVD) score using D2-40 was significantly higher in patients having PTC with LNM than the other groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion

VEGF-C and D2-40 were more highly expressed in patients having PTC with LNM than in patients having PTC without LNM or in those having TNH. Analysis of VEGF-C level and LVD using D2-40 may be helpful in the diagnosis of PTC and the evaluation of LNM potential in patients with PTC.     

Relationships between Tumor Volume and Lymphatic Metastasis and Prognosis in Early Oral Tongue Cancer

Objectives

Although T stage is an important prognostic tool for oral tongue cancer, it fails to define the depth of invasion and true three-dimensional volume of primary tumors. The purpose of this paper is to determine the relations between tumor volume and lymph node metastasis and survival in early oral tongue cancer.

Methods

Forty-seven patients with T1-2 tongue cancer were included. Tumor volumes were measured by the computerized segmentation of T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

The overall average tumor volume was 27.7 cm³ (range, 1.4 to 60.1 cm³). A significant positive correlation was found between tumor volume and pathological T stage, depth of invasion, and cervical lymph node metastasis (P<0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.002, respectively). When the tumor volume exceeded 20 cm³, the cervical metastasis rate increased to 69.2%. The overall 5-year disease specific survival rate was 80%. There was a statistically significant association between large tumor volume (≥20 cm³) and the 5-year disease-specific survival (P=0.046).

Conclusion

Tumor volume larger than 20 cm³ was associated with greater risk cervical lymph node metastasis and poor 5-year disease-specific survival rate in early oral tongue cancer patients.     

Survival in patients with submandibular gland carcinoma — Results of a multi-institutional retrospective study

Objective

Clinical studies demonstrating the prognostic factors in submandibular gland carcinoma are limited because the tumor is relatively rare. The aim of this study was to identify clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in submandibular gland carcinoma.

Rate of regional nodal metastases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in the immunosuppressed patient

Purpose

Immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) have an increased risk of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) with metastatic potential. This study sought to determine the rate of regional lymph node involvement in a large cohort of solid organ transplant patients with cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Larynx-Preserving Partial Pharyngectomy via Lateral Pharyngotomy for the Treatment of Small (T(1~2)) Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objectives

To evaluate the oncologic and functional results of larynx-preserving partial pharyngectomy (LPP) via lateral pharyngotomy approach as a primary treatment for small (T1 or T2) hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC).

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of 23 patients who underwent LPP through lateral pharyngotomy approach for small HPSCC at the our department between January 1991 and June 2007. Fourteen (61%) patients had adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy.

Results

The 2-years and 5-years disease specific survival rate was 77% and 61%, respectively. Nine patients (39%) had tumor recurrence. The most common pattern of recurrence was isolated distant failure (n=4, 44%) followed by local (n=2, 22%) and loco-regional (n=3, 34%) recurrence. The ultimate cure rate of the primary tumor was 87% (20 of 23). Twenty-two of the 23 patients (95%) could be decannulated, tolerate an oral diet, and had acceptable postoperative phonatory function.

Conclusion

LPP via lateral pharyngotomy approach appears to be a feasible procedure for selected small HPSCC patients in terms of both oncologic and functional outcomes.     

Predictors of extracapsular spread in lymph node metastasis

We investigated effect of clinical and pathologic parameters on extracapsular spread (ECS) in patients with lymph node metastasis in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. About 186 patients and 342 neck dissection were included in this study. Relationship between ECS and tumor location, T stage, pathologic N stage, tumor differentiation, number of metastatic lymph nodes, diameter of metastatic lymph node and impact of presence ECS on contralateral neck metastasis (CNM) were evaluated; 76 of the 186 patients had lymph node metastasis. Of the 76 patients, 31 (40.7%) had ECS. Tumor location, pathologic N stage of the tumor, number of metastatic lymph nodes, diameter of metastatic lymph node and the presence of CNM were significantly associated with ECS (P < 0.05). Only number of (≥3) lymph node metastasis emerged as significant independent predictor of ECS (P < 0.05; OR:11.6). In conclusion, the number of metastatic lymph nodes (≥3) should be used as predictor of ECS. Furthermore, contralateral neck dissection should be performed in patients with ipsilateral lymph node metastasis with ECS. Presented at 6th European Congress of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 30th June–4th July 2007, Vienna, Austria.     

甲状腺乳头状癌临床NO患者颈部淋巴结转移规律

目的 探讨甲状腺乳头状癌临床NO( clinical NO,cN0)患者颈部淋巴结转移规律和外科处理方式.方法 前瞻性研究2007年8月至2010年9月51例甲状腺乳头状癌cNO患者.术前采用核素法和染料法定位前哨淋巴结,并行术中冰冻病理检查,与术后颈清扫标本常规病理进行对照.记录51例患者53侧颈部淋巴结清扫转移淋巴结的数量及在Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ区的分布情况.研究患者年龄、肿瘤多中心病灶、被膜外侵、肿瘤大小、中央区淋巴转移数目与颈侧区淋巴转移的关系,影响颈侧区淋巴转移率单因素差异比较采用x2检验,Logistic模型进行多因素分析.结果 颈部淋巴结隐匿性转移率77.4％ (41/53),颈侧隐匿性转移率58.5％(31/53),中央区淋巴转移≥3枚是颈侧区淋巴转移的独立危险因素.pNO 12侧,pN+41侧,17侧仅有1个分区转移,占pN+的41.5％( 17/41);2个或2个以上分区转移24侧,占pN+的58.5％( 24/41).转移淋巴结分布以Ⅵ区最常见,为62.3％(33/53),其次为Ⅲ区52.8％(28/53),Ⅳ区30.2％(16/53),Ⅱ区18.9％(10/53),Ⅴ区0％ (0/53).结论 甲状腺乳头状癌cNO患者隐匿性淋巴结转移以多区转移为主,Ⅵ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅱ区常见.中央区淋巴转移≥3枚较易出现颈侧淋巴转移,对cNO患者选择性清扫Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅵ区能清除大部分存在的颈部隐匿性转移淋巴结.     

Prospective analysis of 231 elective neck dissections in oral squamous cell carcinoma with node negative neck—To decide the extent of neck dissection

Objective

To evaluate the incidence of level IIB and IV lymph node metastases in patients of oral carcinoma with N0 necks. This study will help to decide the extent and need of routine comprehensive removal of these specific lymph node groups in selective neck dissection.

Association of the oncostatin m receptor gene polymorphisms with papillary thyroid cancer in the korean population

Objectives

To investigate the association between papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of oncostatin M receptor (OSMR) in the Korean population.

Methods

Retrospective case-control study was done. Eighty-five patients with PTC and 287 controls were studied. One missense SNP (rs2278329, Asp553Asn) and one promoter SNP (rs2292016, -100 G/T) of the OSMR gene were genotyped by direct sequencing. Genetic data were analyzed using the SNPStats, Helixtree, and SNPAnalyzer Pro. PTC patients were dichotomized and compared with respect to the clinicopathologic characteristics.

Results

There was no association between genotypes and allele frequencies of OSMR SNPs (rs2278329 and rs2292016) and PTC susceptibility. SNP rs2278329 was significantly associated with tumor size (dominant model; P=0.028; odds ratio [OR], 2.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 6.57). The A allele was higher in sizes large than 1 cm (32.5% vs. 16.7%; P=0.018; OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.17 to 4.98). Regarding the number of tumors, we found no significant association with genotype, however, the A allele was higher in patients with multifocaltiy (33.3% vs. 19.1%; P=0.040; OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.03 to 4.34).

Conclusion

The results suggest that OSMR polymorphism rs2278329 is associated with clinicopathologic characteristics of the tumor growth and multifocality development.     

Is Routine Central Neck Dissection Necessary for the Treatment of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma?

Objectives

It remains unclear as to whether routine central neck dissection (CND) is necessary when performing surgery to treat patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). To determine the necessity for routine CND in PTMC patients, we reviewed the clinicopathologic and laboratory data of the patients of PTMC.

Methods

Between September 2001 and July 2005, 101 patients with PTMC and clinical N0 disease were retrospectively reviewed. The study cohort was devided into groups: the total thyroidectomy plus CND group (the CND group, N=48) and the total thyroidectomy without CND group (the no CND group, N=53). The serum stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were measured after surgery and prior to radioactive iodine ablation therapy (RAI) and at 6-12 months after RAI. Pathology, the Tg levels and recurrence data were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

Central nodal metastases were found in 18 of the 48 CND patients (37.5%). The incidence of Tg levels >5 ng/mL at RAI was higher in the no CND patients and in the 18 node-positive CND patients compared with the 30 node-negative CND patients (22-24% vs. 3%, respectively, P=0.020-0.058). The difference when performing a similar comparison using a >2 ng/mL Tg threshold level showed no significance (10-11% vs. 4%, respectively, P>0.1). Two of the no CND patients and one node-positive CND patient had recurrences in the thyroid bed or lateral neck during a mean follow-up of 24 months.

Conclusion

The data showed that occult metastasis to the central neck is common in PTMC patients. A CND provides pathologic information about the nodal metastases, and it potentially provides guidance for planning the postoperative RAI. However, the long-term benefit of CND on recurrence and survival remains somewhat questionable.     

A comparative study of the surgical outcomes between video-assisted and open lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma with lateral neck lymph node metastases

Purpose

Video-assisted lateral neck dissection (VALND) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with lateral neck lymph node metastases (LNM) has been described previously, however, the advantages and drawbacks of VALND have not been demonstrated in previous studies. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of video-assisted and open lateral neck dissection for PTC with lateral neck LNM.

Tumor Regression Patterns Based on Follow-up Duration in Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Radiotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy

Objectives

We describe patterns of tumor regression based on follow-up duration after radiotherapy (RT) or chemo-RT in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

Thirty-one patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were included in this study and received definitive RT or chemo-RT. The pattern of primary tumor regression after treatment was evaluated every 1 to 2 months. Predictive factors for the length of time to full regression were also analyzed.

Results

Among all patients, 27 patients showed regression of the primary tumor, 24 patients showed >50% regression, and 15 patients showed total regression. The primary tumor gradually regressed during the course of follow-up. The median time to full regression was 5.2 months (range, 1.3 to 17.9 months). In the 24 patients who showed >50% regression, the rate of >50% regression increased over time as follows: 25.0% at 1 month, 62.5% at 2 months, 75.0% at 3 months, 91.7% at 4 months, and 95.8% at 5 months. Higher total RT dose and shorter RT duration were associated with longer time to full regression.

Conclusion

A substantial number of patients showed continuous regression of the primary tumor for more than 2 months after treatment. The timing for evaluation of tumor regression must be greater than 2 months from the completion of RT or chemo-RT in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.     

Nationwide Multicenter Survey for Current Status of Endoscopic Thyroidectomy in Korea

Objectives

We evaluated the current status of endoscopic thyroidectomy procedures in Korea in terms of indications, contraindications, advantages, disadvantages, complications, and limitations of each approach.

Methods

An email survey, consisting of 15 questions, was sent to 29 experienced endoscopic thyroidectomy surgeons.

Results

The most commonly used approach was the gasless transaxillary approach (66.7%), followed by the bilateral axillo-breast approach with gas insufflation (23.8%). The most common indication was less than 1 cm, single papillary thyroid cancer. The role of endoscopic thyroidectomy is not still established; some consider it a novel procedure (34.8%), others a transition to robotic thyroidectomy (34.8%).

Conclusion

Our results shed light on the general consensus of opinions about endoscopic thyroidectomy, such as the advantages, disadvantages, complications, limitations, and even its future role.