Impact of TNM® 8th edition on thyroid cancer retrospective staging

Introduction: Thyroid carcinoma has a global survival close to 97% in 15 years. The 8th TNM® has recently been proposed, with changes that include an increase in the cut-off age from 45 to 55 years, a change in the role of microscopic extra-thyroidal tumor invasion (which is no longer considered a criterion for the classification of T3 tumors), and the presence of cervical metastases as a criterion for staging. As a result, a large proportion of patients are transferred to earlier stages. Methods: Retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study carried out through analysis of the medical records of patients undergoing thyroidectomy at HC-UFPR from January 2014 to December 2017. Inclusion criteria were patients with a postoperative pathological anatomic diagnosis of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) who underwent primary surgery in the study period. Results: 197 patients underwent thyroidectomy during the period considered, 58 with thyroid neoplasia and 34 with DTC. Eight patients had lymph node metastasis, five (14.70%) as N1a and three (8.83%) as N1b. Of the total sample, six (12.5%) patients presented downstaging from the 7th to the 8th edition of the TNM®. One of the re-staged patients had bone metastasis during follow-up and died during surgery to correct a pathological fracture. Conclusion: In this study sample, the update of the TNM® in its 8th edition resulted in the downstaging of six (12.5%) patients with DTC. A longer follow-up and a larger sample are necessary to correctly assess the impact of this change on patient prognosis.

Incidence of contralateral cervical metastasis in laryngeal tumors

Introduction: Through the knowledge of the metastatic pathways of the Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx, the lymph node level with a higher probability of involvement can be predicted. The surgeon uses this knowledge to determine the extension of neck dissection to perform. However, the longer the surgery, the greater the morbidity for the patient. When the metastatic risk is >20%, neck dissection of that cervical level is necessary. In cases of clinically evident (cN+) metastasis, uni or bilaterally, comprehensive neck dissection is determinant for the treatment, however there is no consensus about neck dissection for contralateral clinically negative neck (cN-). Objective: To evaluate if patients with laryngeal SCC homolateral cN+ and contralateral cN- should be submitted to bilateral neck dissection. Methods: The team reviewed medical records from 135 patients with a diagnosis of laryngeal malignancy between March/2009 and September/2017, analyzing gender, age, tobacco and alcohol comsumption, primary tumor site, neck dissection laterality, clinical and pathological contralaterality, staging, tumor recurrence or late metastasis and survival Results: We observed that 40.74% were pN+ on at least one side after neck dissection, which 87.27% performed bilateral neck dissection. Of these, 66.67% did not have contralateral metastasis, 87.5% had no previously clinically evident metastasis. Conclusion: Patients contralateral cN- have a risk <20% for occult metastasis and should not routinely go through bilateral neck dissection.

Thyroid gland invasion in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx / Invasão da glândula tireoide no carcinoma espinocelular avançado de laringe e hipofaringe

Abstract Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx has the potential to invade the thyroid gland. Despite this risk, the proposition of either partial or total thyroidectomy as part of the surgical treatment of all such cases remains controversial. Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of invasion of the thyroid gland in patients with advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma submitted to total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy and thyroidectomy; to determine whether clinic-pathological characteristics can predict glandular involvement. Methods: A retrospective case series with chart review, from January 1998 to July 2013, was undertaken in a tertiary care university medical center. An inception cohort of 83 patients with larynx/hypopharynx squamous cell carcinoma was considered. All patients had advanced stage disease (clinically T3-T4) and underwent total laryngectomy or total pharyngolaryngectomy in association with thyroidectomy. Adjuvant therapy was indicated when tumor or neck conditions required. Frequency of thyroid cartilage invasion was calculated; univariate and multivariate analysis of demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics associated with cartilage invasion were performed. Results: The overall frequency of invasion of the thyroid gland was 18.1%. Glandular involvement was associated with invasion of the following structures: anterior commissure (odds ratio = 5.13; 95% confidence interval 1.07-24.5), subglottis (odds ratio = 12.44; 95% confidence interval 1.55-100.00) and cricoid cartilage (odds ratio = 15.95; 95% confidence interval 4.23-60.11). Conclusions: Invasion of the thyroid gland is uncommon in the context of laryngopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Clinical and pathological features such as invasion of the anterior commissure, subglottis and cricoid cartilage are more associated with glandular invasion.

Resumo Introdução O carcinoma espinocelular de laringe e hipofaringe tem potencial para invadir a glândula tireoide. Apesar desse risco, a proposição de tireoidectomia parcial ou total como parte do tratamento cirúrgico de todos esses casos permanece controversa. Objetivos Avaliar a frequência de invasão da glândula tireoide em pacientes com carcinoma espinocelular avançado de laringe ou hipofaringe submetidos a laringectomia total ou faringolaringectomia e tireoidectomia; determinar se características clínico‐patológicas podem prever o envolvimento glandular. Método Uma série de casos retrospectivos com revisão de prontuários, entre janeiro de 1998 e julho de 2013, foi feita em um centro médico universitário de cuidados terciários. Uma coorte inicial de 83 pacientes com carcinoma espinocelular de laringe/hipofaringe foi considerada. Todos os pacientes tinham doença em estágio avançado (clinicamente T3‐T4) e foram submetidos a laringectomia total ou faringolaringectomia em associação com tireoidectomia. Foi indicada terapia adjuvante quando o tumor ou as condições do pescoço exigiram. A frequência de invasão de cartilagem da tireoide foi calculada; análises univariada e multivariada das características demográficas, clínicas e patológicas associadas à invasão de cartilagem foram feitas. Resultados A frequência global de invasão da glândula tireoide foi de 18,1%. O envolvimento glandular foi associado à invasão das seguintes estruturas: comissura anterior (odds ratio = 5,13; intervalo de confiança 95%, 1,07‐24,5), subglote (odds ratio = 12,44; intervalo de confiança 95%, 1,55‐100,00) e cartilagem cricoide (odds ratio = 15,95; intervalo de confiança 95%, 4,23‐60,11). Conclusões A invasão da glândula tireoide é rara no contexto de carcinoma espinocelular laringofaríngeo. As características clínicas e patológicas, como a invasão da comissura anterior, subglote e cartilagem cricoide, estão mais associadas a invasão glandular.

Acometimento da glândula tireoide em pacientes submetidos a laringectomia total por carcinoma espinocelular / Involvement of the thyroid gland in patients who underwent total laryngectomy by squamous cell carcinoma

Introdução: A tireoidectomia é considerada um procedimento complementar para o tratamento de carcinomas epidermoides avançados de laringe e hipofaringe. Entretanto poucos dados apontam o real acometimento glandular e suas indicações para extirpação. Objetivos: Avaliar o real acometimento da glândula tireoide em pacientes que foram submetidos a laringectomias total ou faringolaringectomias com tireoidectomia por carcinoma epidermoide e comparar os resultados com a literatura mais recente. Casuística e Método: Avaliação retrospectiva dos últimos 20 (vinte) pacientes submetidos ao tratamento proposto no serviço de cirurgia de cabeça e pescoço da Universidade Federal de São Paulo / Escola Paulista de Medicina. Os dados epidemiológicos foram obtidos da revisão do prontuário médico. A avaliação final foi baseada no resultado do exame anatomopatológico definitivo. Resultados: A idade média encontrada foi de 61,7 anos, com uma prevalência de 85% do gênero masculino. Dezenove dos vinte pacientes eram tabagistas. Todos se encontravam em estádios avançados da doença, 19(dezenove) em estádio IVA e 01(um) em III. A glândula tireoide apresentou acometimento pelo tumor em 05(cinco) casos. Conclusão: Nos pacientes submetidos a tireoidectomia complementar por carcinoma epidermoide avançado de laringe em nosso serviço encontramos 25% de comprometimento neoplásico da glândula tireoide, dado compatível com trabalhos recentes publicados por outros autores.

Introduction: Thyroidectomy is considered an additional procedure for the treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx and hypopharynx . However few data indicate the actual glandular involvement and its indications for removal. Objectives: Assess the actual involvement of the thyroid gland in patients who underwent total laryngectomy with thyroidectomy for squamous cell carcinoma and compare the results with the recent literature. Materials and Methods: Retrospective evaluation of the last twenty (20) patients undergoing the proposed i treatmentn the service of the head and neck surgery at the Federal University of São Paulo / Escola Paulista de Medicina. Epidemiological data were obtained from review of medical records. The final evaluation was based on the outcome of the final pathology exam. Results: Mean age was 61.7 years, with a prevalence of 85% male gender. Nineteen of twenty patients were smokers. All were in advanced stages of disease, 19 (nineteen) in stage IVA and 01 in III. The thyroid gland showed involvement by tumor in five (05) cases. Conclusion: In patients undergoing thyroidectomy supplemented by advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in our hospital we found 25% of neoplastic involvement of the thyroid gland, as consistent with recent work published by other authors.