Contribution of cytologic examination to diagnosis of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Background@#The cytologic diagnosis of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is difficult because it lacks salient cytologic findings and shares cytologic features with more commonly encountered neoplasms. Due to diverse cytologic findings and paucicellularity of PDTC, standardization of cytologic diagnostic criteria is limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate and recognize diverse thyroid findings of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology and frozen smear cytology in diagnosis of this rare but aggressive carcinoma. @*Methods@#The present study included six cases of FNA cytology and frozen smears of histologically diagnosed PDTCs. @*Results@#PDTC showed cytologic overlap with well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (WDTCs). Five of six cases showed dedifferentiation arising from well differentiated thyroid carcinomas. Only one de novo PDTC showed highly cellular smears composed of discohesive small cells, high nuclear/cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio, prominent micronucleoli, and irregular nuclei. Retrospectively reviewed, these findings are highly suspicious for PDTC. Cytologic findings of nuclear atypia, pleomorphism, and irregularity were frequently found, whereas scattered small cells were seen only in the de novo case. @*Conclusions@#Heterogeneous cytologic findings of PDTCs are shared with those of WDTCs and contribute to difficult preoperative cytologic diagnoses. Most PDTCs show dedifferentiation from WDTCs. Albeit rare, de novo PDTC should be considered with cytology showing discohesive small cells with high N/C ratio. This will enable precise diagnosis and prompt treatment of this aggressive malignancy

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: An institutional experience

Purpose@#The incidence of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is extremely low among thyroid cancers and there is no standardized treatment guideline for it. In this study, we have analyzed PDTC patients and reviewed their clinicopathological features. @*Methods@#Data of PDTC patients from our institution are collected through the electronic medical database. We analyzed them by several parameters such as basic demographics, presenting symptom, preoperative cytology results, associated pathology, surgical results, surgery type, and distant metastasis. @*Results@#We collected 23 cases in our institution. Apart from two patients who were transferred to another hospital upon diagnosis, all 21 operated cases are analyzed. The parameters we studied were age, sex, presenting symptoms, distant metastasis and pathological features such as tumor size, associated pathology, predominant pattern and so on. We also provided descriptive analyses according to the type of presentation and treatment; patients with distant metastasis, juvenile cancer, and concurrent hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, we provided different cases in which the initial surgical plans differed. @*Conclusion@#We present 21 cases of PDTC patients and clarify their clinicopathological features. Despite some limitations, this study may shed light for future research regarding treatment of PDTC patients.

A comparative study of Watson for Oncology and tumor boards in breast cancer treatment

PURPOSE: Watson for Oncology (WFO) is a computing system for considering treatment option with patients. The aim of this study is to determine the concordance rate of WFO and tumor board in treatment options of breast cancer.METHODS: One hundred and seventy breast cancer patients who were treated at Gachon University Gil Medical Center (GMC) from December 2016 to March 2018 were investigated. “Concordance” is defined that treatment provided by GMC tumor board and WFO-provided treatments (Recommend or For Consideration) were coincide. “Discordance” is defined that treatment provided by GMC tumor board and WFO-provided treatments (Not Recommended or Not Available) were coincide.RESULTS: In chemotherapy, of the total 170 patients, 23 patients were excluded, and the concordance rate was compared in 147 patients. Concordance rate was 93% (136/147). In the 11 patients who were discordant, seven patients complied with the treatment proposed by GMC tumor board due to insurance problems and age, and two patients did not follow the treatment proposed by WFO due to pregnancy and patient's choice, and one patient chose a treatment determined by WFO, last one patient was not treated with chemotherapy because it was not considered to be clinically necessary. In radiotherapy, the overall agreement rate was as high as 99% (147/148).CONCLUSION: Through this study, we found that many of the treatment proposals provided by WFO are highly reliable. Although the overall agreement is high in the radiotherapy regimen, the indication for radiotherapy by WFO is more aggressive and hypofractionated high dose intensity radiotherapy is growing trend by WFO.

Stem cell analysis with intraductally treated mammary epithelial cells

PURPOSE: The activity of mammary stem cells (MaSCs) is essential to mammary growth, differentiation and regeneration in cycles of pregnancy, lactation, and involution. The capability to recruit the mammary gland through the cycles is attributed to stem cells. It was shown that the intraductal (i.duc) injection of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) to multiparous FVB/N mice was associated with a significantly reduced outgrowth potential of mammary gland cells. We have explored i.duc PLD's effect on stem cell number and function in mouse mammary gland and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)'s availability as a mouse MaSC marker.METHODS: The total mammary epithelium was purified from 6 to 8-month-old FVB/N control and i.duc PLD-administered mice treated twice and analyzed by flow cytometry and limiting dilution cleared mammary fat pad transplants.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the proportions of stem cell-enriched population (CD49(fhigh)CD24(med)) between control and i.duc PLD-treated groups. However, we found a significant reduction in the outgrowth potential of CD49(fhigh)CD24(med) and CD49(fhigh)CD24(med)ALDH(+) cells from i.duc PLD-treated mammary glands. We discovered that adding ALDH to CD49(fhigh)CD24(med) had the possibility of better marker selection for MaSC of mice.CONCLUSION: We present i.duc administration of PLD to reduce MaSC function, but not the number; and ALDH activity may add further selection of MaSCs to CD49f CD24 in mouse mammary glands. Screening of chemotherapeutic drugs or other natural products by this method of stem cell analysis may provide safe i.duc treatment in breast cancer.

A comparative study of the clinical characteristics of breast cancer patients less than 35 years old and older patients

PURPOSE: In Korea, the incidence of breast cancer peaks in the fifth decade, which is younger than that observed in the Western world. We conducted this study to compare the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of breast cancer in women < 35 and ≥35 years old.METHODS: The medical records of 969 patients treated for breast cancer at the Gil Medical Center from 2008 through 2012 were reviewed. Tumor characteristics, surgical methods, and adjuvant therapies were compared in two groups.RESULTS: Number of childbirths, family history, the proportion of postmenopausal women were lower among those aged < 35 years. However, tumor size, number of metastatic lymph nodes, and surgical procedures were similar in two groups. The rate of triple negative status in younger patients was higher than in older patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy was effective in patients positive for hormone receptors and no lymph nodal invasion, and it was effective in patients negative for hormone receptors and lymph nodal invasion in patients aged >35 years old. Postoperative radiotherapy was statistically effective in patients aged < 35 and ≥35 years old that underwent breast-conserving surgery. Pregnancy were significantly associated with survival in younger patients. While lymph node stage, presence of progesterone receptor, and triple negative status were significantly associated with survival on older patients.CONCLUSION: The prognostic factors of breast cancer in patients younger than 35 years old were pregnancy. Triple negative status rate was higher in younger patients than in older patients. Adjuvant therapy had similar effects in patients aged < 35 or ≥35 years old.

The effect of Korean traditional alternative medicine products on thyroid function level in post-total thyroidectomy patients: A pilot study

PURPOSE: Although many Koreans consume traditional alternative remedial products to alleviate symptoms of fatigue, there have been no studies on their effect on thyroid function levels in thyroidectomized patients on levothyroxine replacement. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Korean traditional alternative remedies on thyroid function levels in post total thyroidectomy patients.METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records from a single tertiary referral center was performed on patients who received total thyroidectomy from 2010 to 2015 and became euthyroid postoperatively. Gender, age, body mass index, preoperative thyroid function test results, interval to first hypothyroidism occurrence, recurrence of hypothyroidism, number and types of alternative remedy were evaluated.RESULTS: Postoperative hypothyroidism occurred among 174 out of 917 patients (18.9%) and 100 (57.5%) of them had a history of alternative medication usage. The first episode of hypothyroidism occurred at median of 38.5 months after operation in the 100 patients. Six of the 100 patients received an increased dosage of levothyroxine due to severe hypothyroidism but the rest received the same dose and were requested not to consume alternative products. All patients recovered to euthyroid status afterwards. Thirty-three patients subsequently experienced recurrence even after being restricted from consuming alternative remedial products. Apart from thyroiditis on pathology reports (P=0.001), there were no variables significantly related to the recurrent hypothyroidism.CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrated the possible role of consumption patterns of traditional alternative remedial products in thyroidectomized patients under hormone supplement in restoring euthyroid status without levothyroxine increase.

Prognostic Value of p53 and Cyclin D1 in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: P53 and cyclin D1 have been evaluated as a prognostic marker in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, the relationship between p53/cyclin D1 and PTC prognosis has not yet been confirmed. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between p53/cyclin D1 and PTC prognostic factors. METHODS: 919 patients with PTC were enrolled. Immunohistochemistry slides were reviewed for p53 and cyclin D1 immunoreactivity. Patients were classified into two groups according to the p53 and cyclin D1 grade: negative for 5%. Medical records were reviewed to evaluate the prognostic factors, lymph node metastatic ratio (LNMR), and MACIS score. We analyzed patients based on p53/cyclin D1(-/-), p53/cyclin D1(-/+), p53/cyclin D1(+/-), p53/cyclin D1(+/+) separately for evaluation of independent effect of p53 and cyclin D1. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 49.73 years (range 15~87), and tumor size was 1.19 cm (range 0.1~5.0). P53 was positive in 809 (88.0%) and cyclin D1 was positive in 748 (81.4%). Positivity of p53 and cyclin D1 were correlated (r=0.448). There was no statistical significance in MACIS score. Positivity of p53 and cyclin D1 were related with larger tumor size, older age, early T stage, more tumor capsulation, and female. LNMR was higher in p53/cyclin D1(+/-) than p53/cyclin D1(-/-) (P=0.036), p53/cyclin D1(-/+) than p53/cyclin D1(-/-) (P=0.034), and p53/cyclin D1(+/+) than p53/cyclin D1(-/-) (P=0.007). CONCLUSION: There was no consistent relationship between p53/cyclin D1 and worse prognostic factors of PTC. However, LNMR was higher in p53(+) and cyclin D1(+) cases independently, much more in p53/cyclin D1(+/+) than p53/cyclin D1(-/-).

Cystic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case of Undergoing Endoscopic Thyroid Lobectomy / 대한내분비외과학회지

On ultrasonography, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) shows hypoechogenicity, an irregular margin, a predominantly solid composition, and microcalcifications, similar to those observed in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). MTC presenting as a cystic lesion is rare, and endoscopic thyroidectomy can be performed for benign thyroid masses and early stage PTC, however it is inappropriate for MTC regardless of cystic change. The authors report a case of cystic MTC found after endoscopic thyroid lobectomy and provide a review of the literature on this topic.

The pattern and significance of the calcifications of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma presented in preoperative neck ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To analyze the incidence and patterns of calcification of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) on neck ultrasonography (NUS) and assess the clinical implications of calcification, especially for neck node metastasis. METHODS: The clinical data of 379 patients with PTMC who underwent thyroidectomy between January and December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. PTMC lesions were classified into four subgroups according to their calcification patterns on preoperative NUS: microcalcification, macrocalcification, rim calcification, and noncalcification. The clinicopathologic characteristics were compared between the patients with and without calcification, and among the four subgroups. RESULTS: Calcifications were detected on NUS in 203 patients (53.5%) and central neck node metastasis was observed in 119 patients (31.3%). Calcification was associated with larger tumor size (0.68 cm vs. 0.54 cm), higher rate of lymph node metastasis (38.6% vs. 23.2%) and higher lymph node ratio (0.11 vs. 0.06) compared to noncalcification (All P < 0.05). In addition, the extent of calcification correlated with lesion size (0.67 cm vs. 0.69 cm vs. 0.85 cm). Further, the likelihood of lymph node metastasis also correlated with the extent of calcification in the order of non-, micro- and macrocalcification (23.3%, 36.8%, and 44.1%, respectively). The calcification rate was higher in patients with lymph node metastasis than those without it (65.5% vs.47.7%) (All P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PTMC patients positive for calcification on NUS had a higher rate of lymph node metastasis, and a higher lymph node ratio compared to noncalcification patients. Calcification patterns should be assessed carefully in patients with PTMC by preoperative NUS.

The prognosis and treatment of primary thyroid cancer occurred in breast cancer patients: comparison with ordinary thyroid cancer

PURPOSE: Due to the increased prevalence of thyroid cancer, it has been frequently detected in breast cancer patients recently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of thyroid cancer in breast cancer patients with respect to prognosis and treatment. METHODS: From August 1998 to September 2012, 101 breast cancer patients were diagnosed with thyroid cancer (BT group). One hundred ninety-three female patients with a thyroid malignancy that underwent thyroidectomy in 2008 were recruited as controls (oT group). The clinicopathologic results of these two groups were compared. RESULTS: Patients were older (51.40 vs. 47.16, P < 0.001), mean tumor size was smaller (0.96 cm vs. 1.43 cm, P < 0.001), and extrathyroidal extension was less common in the BT group. In both groups, papillary thyroid carcinoma was the most common type of thyroid malignancy. T and N classifications of thyroid cancer were less severe in the BT group, but group TNM stages were similar. Endoscopic thyroid surgery was performed in 12.9% of patients in the BT group and in 6.7% of patients in the oT group. Postoperative radioactive iodine ablation was performed less often in the BT group (P < 0.001). Group recurrence rates were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Thyroid cancer in breast cancer patients was diagnosed at earlier status than ordinary thyroid cancer. However, the prognosis of thyroid cancer in breast cancer patients was not superior to that in patients with thyroid cancer alone. Radioactive iodine ablation was performed less often and endoscopic surgery could be performed in breast cancer patients.

Clinical Characteristics for Early Recovery from Temporary Hypoparathyroidism in Patients Undergoing Total Thyroidectomy / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Several reports have examined the predictors of temporary hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy; however, few have assessed the clinical predictors of early recovery from the condition. Here, we compared the clinical factors of early and late recovery groups of patients with temporary hypoparathyroidism. METHODS: The electronic medical records of 248 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy from January 2012 to July 2013 and had parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels <10 pg/mL on the first postoperative day were examined retrospectively. The early recovery group showed recovery from PTH at two weeks postoperatively and the late recovery group showed recovery from PTH at one month postoperatively. RESULTS: The early recovery group included a lower proportion of males (8.6% vs. 23.7%, P<0.01) and a higher proportion of patients with more than three parathyroid glands saved (83.8% vs. 76.8%, P<0.04). There were no significant differences in the other variables examined. CONCLUSION: The early recovery group of patients with temporary hypoparathyroidism included a lower proportion of males and a higher proportion of patients with more than three parathyroid glands saved intraoperatively. These findings can be used as clinical indicators when discharge medication is prescribed.

Comparative Analysis of Three Lobectomy Methods for Papillary Thyroid Cancer / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: The current study examined the validity and outcomes of three lobectomy methods for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), open surgery, minimally invasive videoassisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT), and endoscopic surgery. METHODS: Between January 2006 and June 2011, 360 patients underwent lobectomy for treatment of PTC. Clinical data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Open lobectomy, MIVAT, and endoscopic lobectomy were performed in 170 (47.2%, Group A), 81 (22.5%, Group B), and 109 patients (30.3%, Group C), respectively. Median tumor size was 0.5 cm. RESULTS: No significant differences in tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, and metastatic lymph node number were observed among the groups. However, the mean number of retrieved central lymph nodes was higher in the open surgery group than in the other groups (8.9, 4.9, and 5.8 in Groups A, B, and C, respectively P<0.05). Postoperative bleeding occurred in one patient each in Group A. Temporary hypoparathyroidism developed in ten, three, and three patients in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. Recurrence occurred in five cases (1.4%), however, no significant difference in short-term recurrence (median duration of follow up: 1,109 days) was observed among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The number of retrieved central lymph nodes was higher in the open surgery group. However, no differences in the incidence of complications or short-term recurrence were observed among the groups, indicating that either one of these methods can be recommended as limited surgery for PTC.

Assessment of Postoperative Scar Using Modified Vancouver Scar Scale of 283 Patients Who Underwent Open Thyroidectomy in a Single Institution / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: The postoperative scar of open thyroidectomy is one of the clinical issues in patients diagnosed with thyroid disease. The aim of this study was to analyze postoperative scars in patients who underwent thyroidectomy based on the Modified Vancouver Scar Scale and to find factors for use in predicting formation of hypertrophied scars and keloids. METHODS: Clinical data from 283 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were collected randomly and analyzed retrospectively. All postoperative scars were classified according to five categories; excellent, good, moderate, hypertrophied, and keloid, using the Modified Vancouver Scar Scale according to the assessment of pliability, height of the scar, vascularity, and pigmentation. For analysis, hypertrophied and keloid were classified as bad status and others were classified as good status. RESULTS: According to our results, 84.8% of scars were classified as good status and 15.2% of scars were classified as bad status. Forty percent of patients who were in their twenties, 17.8% of patients who were in their thirties, and 22.1% of patients who were in their forties showed bad status; 92.9% of patients who were in their fifties and 89.2% of patients who were in their sixties showed good status (P=0.003). The only statistically significant factor influencing the scar status was the weight of the thyroid (P=0.022). CONCLUSION: Postoperative scars from thyroid surgery were evaluated using the Modified Vancouver Scar Scale. Age was the most important factor in formation of hypertrophied and keloid scar and the weight of the excised thyroid also influenced the scar status. Preoperative prediction of the status of the scar might be possible considering the age and size of the thyroid gland.

The Utility of Clinical Findings Including Serum TSH and Neck Ultrasonography for Predicting Thyroid Malignancy in Atypia of Undetermined Significance/Follicular Lesions of Undetermined Significance / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Neck ultrasonography (NUS) is one of the most commonly used methods for evaluating thyroid nodules and preoperative higher TSH levels are known to be associated with differentiated thyroid cancers. This study was conducted to assess whether serum TSH levels and neck ultrasonography are of value in predicting malignancy in patients with atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesions of undetermined significance (AUS). METHODS: A total of 62 patients (7 men, 55 women; mean age 48.4±11.9 years) who had indeterminate cytologic results indicating AUS underwent thyroidectomy. Preoperative clinical data including serum TSH and the findings of NUS were analyzed retrospectively between malignant and non-malignant groups. RESULTS: The final pathologic results of malignancy were reported in 53 of 62 (85.5%) patients with AUS. There was no significant difference in the mean value of preoperative serum TSH between malignant and non-malignant groups (1.5±1.3 vs. 1.9±1.2, P=NS). In NUS, the patients diagnosed with malignancy in histology showed a higher proportion of calcification, taller-than-wide shape, hypoechoic texture and irregular margin (58.5% vs. 22.2%, P=0.044; 34% vs. 0%, P=0.038; 98.1% vs. 44.4%, P<0.01; 47.2% vs. 0%, P=0.008). CONCLUSION: Serum TSH was not related to malignancy in thyroid nodules showing AUS. However, ultrasonographic features including calcifications, taller-than-wide shape, hypoechoic pattern and irregular margin could be used to predict malignancy. Ultrasonography should be the first useful methods when making decisions regarding management of thyroid nodules showing indeterminate cytologic results as AUS.

Significance of Surgical Treatment for Toxic Thyroid Nodule / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Autonomous hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules produce thyroid hormone independently of TSH. Of these, toxic thyroid nodules provoke hyperthyroidism and can be treated by surgery or radioactive iodine therapy. The aim of this study was evaluating the role of each treatment method in Korean patients with toxic thyroid nodule. METHODS: From July 2008 to June 2013, 10 patients were diagnosed with toxic thyroid nodule. We diagnosed toxic thyroid nodule by thyroid function test and thyroid scan. Thyroid function test showed hyperthyroidism. Hot nodule and suppressed uptake surrounding thyroid tissue was observed on thyroid scan. We analyzed medical records of 10 patients retrospectively. RESULTS: 9 patients were women and 1 patient was man. Median follow-up duration was 22 months. Most common symptom was neck mass (80%) and the median tumor size was 2.66 cm. 99mTc uptake increased by 6.41% on thyroid scan. All 10 patients refused radioactive iodine therapy and 3 of these denied even operation. In 7 patients underwent thyroidectomy, 4 patients were proved having thyroid malignancy (3 papillary thyroid carcinomas and 1 follicular thyroid carcinoma). CONCLUSION: In Korean patients, toxic thyroid nodule was likely to accompany thyroid malignancy and radioactive iodine therapy is contraindicated in this case. Therefore, we suggested that surgery has to be considered in the first place in treatment of toxic thyroid nodule.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Postoperative Spindle Cell Nodule in Neck after Thyroidectomy: A Case Report

No abstract available.

Level V Lymph Node Dissection in PTMC Patients: Is This Necessary? / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Cervical lymphadenectomy is frequently performed in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with lateral node metastasis to improve regional control, but the cervical levels that require dissection remain controversial. We conducted this study to investigate the necessity of the routine dissection of level V in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). METHODS: To identify the relation between PTMC and level V metastases, we analyzed 90 patients who underwent lateral neck dissection (ND). Twenty-five patients underwent lateral ND when metastasis was detected during follow-up, whereas the other 65 patients underwent total thyroidectomy with central and lateral ND at initial surgery. RESULTS: There were 18 PTMC patients and 72 patients with a PTC of >1 cm. Metastasis at level III or IV was detected in 80.0% and 78.9%, respectively, whereas metastasis at level V was only detected in 12.2%, and metastasis at level II occurred in 30%. In PTMC patients, metastatic rates at levels II, III, IV, and V were 11.1%, 61.1%, 61.1%, and 5.6%, respectively, and in patients with a PTC of >1 cm, metastatic rates at levels II, III, IV, and V were 34.7%, 84.7%, 83.3% and 13.9%, respectively. PTMC was not found to be significantly associated with level V metastasis (P=0.452). CONCLUSION: The level V metastatic rate in PTMC was no different from that of PTC>1 cm statistically. However, the metastatic rate was only 5.6% in PTMC. Therefore, we recommend that care be taken when deciding whether to perform level V dissection when dissecting the lateral cervical nodes in PTMC.

Is ThinPrep® Liquid-based Cytology Useful in the Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules? / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is the most important diagnostic method for thyroid nodule. Liquid based cytology (LBC) is currently being studied for diagnosing thyroid nodule. We investigated the diagnostic value of ThinPrep®-LBC for thyroid nodules. METHODS: From January 2010 to May 2010, 139 patients underwent thyroidectomy based on the FNAC smear results. From November 2010 to February 2011, 153 patients underwent thyroidectomy based on the FNAC smear and ThinPrep®-LBC results. We compared the postoperative pathologic results of the FNAC smear group and the FNAC smear+LBC group. RESULTS: In the FNAC smear group, there were 11.5% unsatisfactory results and 10.1% atypia with undetermined significance results. On the other hand, in the FNAC smear +LBC group, there were no unsatisfactory results and only 2.0% atypia with undetermined significance results. For the results of the diagnostic validity, the sensitivity was 77.7%, the specificity was 94.4% and the accuracy was 82.0% for the FNAC smear group. The false positive rate was 5.6% and the false negative rate was 22.3%. For the FNAC smear+LBC group, the sensitivity was 87.8%, the specificity was 92.9% and the accuracy was 88.2%. The false positive rate was 7.1% and the false negative rate was 12.2%. CONCLUSIONS: If LBC is carried out simultaneously with FNAC smear, the rate of unsatisfactory results and atypia with undetermined significance could be decreased compared with that of the FNAC smear only.

Review of atypical cytology of thyroid nodule according to the Bethesda system and its beneficial effect in the surgical treatment of papillary carcinoma / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: For the atypical cases of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of thyroid nodules, ultrasonographic findings are a primary guideline for the surgical treatment. However, they have the intrinsic risk of overtreatment, as well. In this study we examined whether the Bethesda system could provide a real effect on the diagnostic rate of atypical cytology, and thereby reduce the number of cases diagnosed as atypical from FNA cytology. METHODS: We reviewed 166 cases diagnosed as atypical by FNA cytology at this institute between the years 2005 to 2010. We classified these cases on the basis of ultrasonographic and cytological findings and compared them with the histological results. RESULTS: Ultrasonographically, findings suspicious for malignancy and indeterminate were associated with 83.7% and 47.2% of malignancy rates, respectively. Cytopathologically, the malignancy rates varied according to the main cytological features and the highest malignancy rate was 77.3%. Based on the Bethesda system, 39.2% of the cases diagnosed as atypical could be grouped into the category of suspicious for malignancy and yielded a malignancy rate of 76.9%. CONCLUSION: Although ultrasonography provides an excellent guideline for the surgical treatment of atypical cases, it also showed considerable risk of overtreatment. The Bethesda system did not offer definitive effects on the rate of atypical cytology, but this system seemed to provide stricter boundaries for the atypical cytology and to aid in reducing the rates thereof. This in turn may permit that more limited cases are allotted to ultrasonographic decision making.

Is Central Lymph Node Dissection Mandatory in 2 cm or Less Sized Papillary Thyroid Cancer?

PURPOSE: There have been controversies on the scope of central lymph node dissection (CND) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). We performed this study to determine the role of CND for patients having PTC measuring 2 cm or less. METHODS: 530 cases of PTC less than 2 cm had undergone lobectomy plus isthmectomy (LI) with CND or without CND. Clinicopathologic records and clinical outcome were evaluated, retrospectively. RESULTS: Comparing recurrence rates in LI with CND group (4/174, 2.30%) and LI without CND group (16/356, 4.49%), there was no significant statistical difference in recurrence (P=0.331). We compared 20 patients with recurrences and 510 patients of no recurrence. The size of tumor seemed to influence recurrence (P<0.001) and the size of tumor developing recurrence was larger than the other (1.11 cm vs. 0.75 cm). When considering division into PTC and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), PTMC showed less recurrence significantly (P=0.006). No other variables such as age, sex, tumor location, extrathyroidal extension seemed to be related to the recurrence. CONCLUSION: We could not find any relevant role of CND to prevent recurrence either locally or regionally in cases of no lymph node metastasis after CND for patients having PTC measuring 2 cm or less. Moreover, prophylactic CND is not mandatory for all cases of PTC less than 2 cm.