Guidelines from the Brazilian society of surgical oncology regarding indications and technical aspects of neck dissection in papillary, follicular, and medullary thyroid cancers

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of these guidelines is to provide specific recommendations for the surgical treatment of neck metastases in patients with papillary, follicular, and medullary thyroid carcinomas. Materials and methods: Recommendations were developed based on research of scientific articles (preferentially meta-analyses) and guidelines issued by international medical specialty societies. The American College of Physicians' Guideline Grading System was used to determine the levels of evidence and grades of recommendations. The following questions were answered: A) Is elective neck dissection indicated in the treatment of papillary, follicular, and medullary thyroid carcinoma? B) When should central, lateral, and modified radical neck dissection be performed? C) Could molecular tests guide the extent of the neck dissection? Results/conclusion: Recommendation 1: Elective central neck dissection is not indicated in patients with cN0 well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma or in those with noninvasive T1 and T2 tumors but may be considered in T3-T4 tumors or in the presence of metastases in the lateral neck compartments. Recommendation 2: Elective central neck dissection is recommended in medullary thyroid carcinoma. Recommendation 3: Selective neck dissection of levels II-V should be indicated to treat neck metastases in papillary thyroid cancer, an approach that decreases the risk of recurrence and mortality. Recommendation 4: Compartmental neck dissection is indicated in the treatment of lymph node recurrence after elective or therapeutic neck dissection; "berry node picking" is not recommended. Recommendation 5: There are currently no recommendations regarding the use of molecular tests in guiding the extent of neck dissection in thyroid cancer.

Treatment strategies for low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: a position statement from the Thyroid Department of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM)

ABSTRACT Increasingly sensitive diagnostic methods, better understanding of molecular pathophysiology, and well-conducted prospective studies have changed the current approach to patients with thyroid cancer, requiring the implementation of individualized management. Most patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are currently considered to have a low risk of mortality and disease persistence/recurrence. Consequently, current treatment recommendations for these patients include less invasive or intensive therapies. We used the most recent evidence to prepare a position statement providing guidance for decisions regarding the management of patients with low-risk PTC (LRPTC). This document summarizes the criteria defining LRPTC (including considerations regarding changes in the TNM staging system), indications and contraindications for active surveillance, and recommendations for follow-up and surgery. Active surveillance may be an appropriate initial choice in selected patients, and the criteria to recommend this approach are detailed. A section is dedicated to the current evidence regarding lobectomy versus total thyroidectomy and the potential pitfalls of each approach, considering the challenges during long-term follow-up. Indications for radioiodine (RAI) therapy are also addressed, along with the benefits and risks associated with this treatment, patient preparation, and dosage. Finally, this statement presents the best follow-up strategies for LRPTC after lobectomy and total thyroidectomy with or without RAI.

Pregnancy has no significant impact on the prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of pregnancy on differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC) behavior Subjects and methods: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with DTC before or during pregnancy and treated with standard therapy. In women diagnosed with DTC before pregnancy, we evaluated the occurrence of progression according to categories of response to therapy based on imaging and non-stimulated thyroglobulin (TG) levels. Results: Of 96 analyzed patients, 76 became pregnant after DTC treatment and 20 were diagnosed with DTC during pregnancy. Among women who became pregnant after a DTC diagnosis, no difference was observed regarding response to therapy before and after pregnancy. Disease progression after pregnancy was documented in six of these patients, while seven of them presented progression before pregnancy but were only treated after delivery. Patients with DTC diagnosed during pregnancy had a higher rate of distant metastases at diagnosis (30%) compared with the patients who became pregnant after DTC diagnosis (9.2%, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Pregnancy had no impact on the natural course of DTC. Disease progression after pregnancy was limited and probably related to more aggressive disease and higher risk stratification at diagnosis. Still, mild disease progression may have occurred asymptomatically in some patients.

Prognostic factors in patients with advanced differentiated thyroid cancer treated with multikinase inhibitors - a single Brazilian center experience

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the real-world experience multikinase inhibitors (MKI) in the treatment advanced differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) refractory to radioactive iodine (RAIR) therapy. Subjects and methods: We reviewed the records of all patients with MKI-treated DTC from 2010 to 2018. Progression free survival (PFS), response rates (RR) and adverse events (AE) profiles were assessed. Clinical parameters were compared between groups with different outcomes (disease progression and death) to identify possible prognostic factors and benefit from treatment. Results: Forty-four patients received MKI for progressive RAIR DTC. Median PFS was 24 months (10.2-37.7) and median overall survival (OS) was 31 months. Best overall response was complete response in one patient (4.5%), partial response in nine (20.4%), stable disease in twenty-two (50%), and progressive disease (PD) in twelve (27.3%). Seventy-two point 7 percent patients had clinical benefit and AE were mild in most cases (82.7%). Progressive patients were more likely to have FDG positive target lesion than those who did not progress (p = 0.033) and higher maximum SUV on target lesions (p = 0.042). Presence of lung-only metastasis and lower thyroglobulin (Tg) during treatment was associated with stable disease (p = 0.015 and 0,049, respectively). Patients with shorter survival had larger primary tumor size (p = 0.015) and higher maximum SUV on target lesions (p = 0.023). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate safety and effectiveness of MKI in patients with advanced RAIR DTC. We were able to identify as possible prognostic markers of better outcomes: absence of FDG uptake on target lesions, lower maximum SUV on PET-CT, presence of lung-only metastasis and lower Tg during treatment.

Management of thyroid disorders during the COVID-19 outbreak: a position statement from the Thyroid Department of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM)

ABSTRACT This position statement was prepared to guide endocrinologists on the best approach to managing thyroid disorders during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The most frequent thyroid hormonal findings in patients with COVID-19, particularly in individuals with severe disease, are similar to those present in the non-thyroidal illness syndrome and require no intervention. Subacute thyroiditis has also been reported during COVID-19 infection. Diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism during the COVID-19 pandemic may follow usual practice; however, should avoid frequent laboratory tests in patients with previous controlled disease. Well-controlled hypo and hyperthyroidism are not associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severity. Newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism during the pandemic should be preferably treated with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), bearing in mind the possibility of rare side effects with these medications, particularly agranulocytosis, which requires immediate intervention. Definitive treatment of hyperthyroidism (radioiodine therapy or surgery) may be considered in those cases that protective protocols can be followed to avoid COVID-19 contamination or once the pandemic is over. In patients with moderate Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) not at risk of visual loss, glucocorticoids at immunosuppressive doses should be avoided, while in those with severe GO without COVID-19 and at risk of vision loss, intravenous glucocorticoid is the therapeutic choice. Considering that most of the thyroid cancer cases are low risk and associated with an excellent prognosis, surgical procedures could and should be postponed safely during the pandemic period. Additionally, when indicated, radioiodine therapy could also be safely postponed as long as it is possible.

Choosing Wisely for Thyroid Conditions: Recommendations of the Thyroid Department of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism

ABSTRACT Objective: Choosing Wisely (CW) is an initiative that aims to advance the dialogue between physicians and patients about low-value health interventions. Given that thyroid conditions are frequent in clinical practice, we aimed to develop an evidence-based list of thyroid CW recommendations. Materials and methods: The Thyroid Department of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM) named a Task Force to conduct the initiative. The Task Force work was based on an electronic Delphi approach. The 10 recommendations that received the highest scores by the Task Force were submitted for voting by all SBEM associates. The 5 recommendations that received the highest scores by SBEM associates are presented herein. Results: The Task Force was composed of 14 thyroidologists from 10 tertiary-care, teaching-based Brazilian institutions. The brainstorming/ideation phase resulted in 69 recommendations. After the removal of duplicates and recommendations that did not adhere to the initiative's scope, 35 remained. Then the Task Force voted to attribute a grade (0 [lowest agreement] to 10 [highest agreement]) for each recommendation. The 10 recommendations that received the highest scores by the Task Force were submitted to all SBEM associates. A total of 683 associates voted electronically, attributing a grade (0 to 10) for each recommendation. The 5 recommendations that received the highest scores by the SBEM associates compose our final list. Conclusion: A set of recommendations to avoid unnecessary medical tests, treatments, or procedures for thyroid conditions are offered with a transparent methodology. This initiative aims to foster productive interactions between physicians and patients, stimulating shared decision-making.

Cholestatic syndrome as initial manifestation of pancreatic metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma: case report and review

SUMMARY Most papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) harbor excellent prognosis. Although rare, distant metastases normally occur in lungs and/or bones. Here we describe a rare case of pancreatic metastasis presenting with rapid onset cholestatic syndrome. A literature review was also performed. A 73-year-old man with a high risk PTC was submitted to total thyroidectomy (TT) followed by radioiodine therapy. After initial therapy, he persisted with progressive rising serum thyroglobulin levels but with no evidence of structural disease. Recently, the patient presented with a rapid onset and progressive cholestatic syndrome. A 4 cm lesion in pancreas was identified, with echoendoscopy fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) confirming a pancreatic metastasis from PTC. The patient was submitted to a successful pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pancreatic metastases of PTC are rare and few long-term follow-up data are available to guide management. Fourteen cases were former reported, mean age was 65.7 years-old with mean time between PTC and pancreatic metastasis diagnosis of 7.9 years. Nine of them had another distant metastasis, nine were diagnosed by FNAB and just two received sorafenib.

Thyroid nodules ≤ 1 cm and papillary thyroid microcarcinomas: Brazilian experts opinion

ABSTRACT The indolent evolution of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (mPTC) in adult patients and the consequences of thyroidectomy require a revision of the management traditionally recommended. Aiming to spare patients unnecessary procedures and therapies and to optimize the health system in Brazil, we suggest some measures. Fine-needle aspiration of nodules ≤ 1 cm without extrathyroidal extension on ultrasonography should be performed only in nodules classified as "very suspicious" (i.e., high suspicion according to ATA, high risk according to AACE, TI-RADS 5) and in selected cases [age < 40 years, nodule adjacent to the trachea or recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), multiple suspicious nodules, presence of hypercalcitoninemia or suspicious lymph nodes]. Active surveillance (AS) rather than immediate surgery should be considered in adult patients with low-risk mPTC. Lobectomy is the best option in patients with unifocal low-risk mPTC who are not candidates for AS because of age, proximity of the tumor to the trachea or RLN, or because they opted for surgery. The same applies to patients who started AS but had a subsequent surgical indication not due to a suspicion of tumor extension beyond the gland or multicentricity. Molecular tests are not necessary to choose between AS and surgery or, in the latter case, between lobectomy and total thyroidectomy. The presence of RAS or other RAS-like mutations or BRAFV600E or other BRAF V600E-like mutations should not modify the management cited above; however, the rare cases of mPTC exhibiting high-risk mutations, like in the TERT promoter or p53, are not candidates for AS.

Serum calcitonin nadirs to undetectable levels within 1 month of curative surgery in medullary thyroid cancer

ABSTRACT Objective: Because serum calcitonin (CT) is a reliable marker of the presence, volume, and extent of disease in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), both the ATA and NCCN guidelines use the 2-3 month post-operative CT value as the primary response to therapy variable that determines the type and intensity of follow up evaluations. We hypothesized that the calcitonin would nadir to undetectable levels within 1 month of a curative surgical procedure. Subjects and methods: This retrospective review identified 105 patients with hereditary and sporadic MTC who had at least two serial basal CT measurements done in the first three months after primary surgery. Results: When evaluated one year after initial surgery, 42 patients (42/105, 40%) achieved an undetectable basal calcitonin level without additional therapies and 56 patients (56/84, 67%) demonstrated a CEA within the normal reference range. In patients destined to have an undetectable CT as the best response to initial therapy, the calcitonin was undetectable by 1 month after surgery in 97% (41/42 patients). Similarly, in patients destined to have a normalize their CEA, the CEA was within the reference range by 1 month post-operatively in 63% and by 6 months in 98%. By 6 months after curative initial surgery, 100% of patients had achieved a nadir undetectable calcitonin, 98% had reached the CEA nadir, and 97% had achieved normalization of both the calcitonin and CEA. Conclusion: The 1 month CT value is a reliable marker of response to therapy that allows earlier risk stratification than the currently recommended 2-3 month CT measurement.

Clinical outcomes of low and intermediate risk differentiated thyroid cancer patients treated with 30mCi for ablation or without radioactive iodine therapy

ABSTRACT Objective To retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of patients with low and intermediate risk thyroid carcinoma treated with total thyroidectomy (TT) and who did not undergo radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) and to compare them to patients receiving low dose of iodine (30 mCi). Subjects and methods A total of 189 differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients treated with TT followed by 30mCi for RRA or not, followed in two referral centers in Brazil were analyzed. Results From the 189 patients, 68.8% was ATA low-risk, 30.6% intermediate and 0.6% high risk. Eighty-seven patients underwent RRA and 102 did not. The RRA groups tended to be younger and had a higher frequency of extra-thyroidal extension (ETE). RRA did not have and impact on response to initial therapy neither in low (p = 0.24) nor in intermediate risk patients (p = 0.66). It also had no impact on final outcome and most patients had no evidence of disease (NED) at final follow-up. Recurrence/persistence of disease was found in 1.2% of RRA group and 2% in patients treated only with TT (p = 0.59). Conclusions Our study shows that in low and intermediate-risk patients, RRA with 30 mCi seems to have no major advantage over patients who did not undergo RRA regarding response to initial therapy in each risk group and also in long term outcomes.

Metastatic lymph node characteristics as predictors of recurrence/persistence in the neck and distant metastases in differentiated thyroid cancer

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between this characteristic and outcomes in patients with lymph node metastasis in a Brazilian cohort. Subjects and methods: This study examined a retrospective cohort of adult patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer and lymph node metastases from 1998 to 2015 in two referral centers. Number, location, size and extranodal extension (ENE) of metastatic lymph nodes were assessed and correlated with response to initial therapy. Results: A greater number of metastatic nodes, larger size, presence of lateral neck disease and ENE were all associated with a lower probability of achieving an excellent response to initial therapy (p ≤ 0.05 for all these parameters). Local recurrent disease had a significant association with lymph node number (6 in the recurrence/persistence group versus 4 in the non-recurrent group; p = 0.02) and ENE (19.2 versus 75%, p = 0.03). Lateral neck disease was the only characteristic associated with distant metastasis and was present in 52.1% of the group without metastasis and 70.4% of the group with metastasis (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The lymph node characteristics were associated with response to initial therapy and neck recurrence/persistence, confirming the importance of the analysis of these factors in risk stratification in a Brazilian population and its possible use to tailor initial staging and long term follow-up.

Is radioactive iodine- 131 treatment related to the occurrence of non-synchronous second primary malignancy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer?

Objective Much controversy relates to the risk of non-synchronous second primary malignancies (NSSPM) after radioactive iodine treatment (RAI-131) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients. This study evaluated the relationship between RAI-131 and NSSPM in DTC survivors with long-term follow-up. Materials and methods Retrospective analysis of 413 DTC cases was performed; 252 received RAI-131 and 161 were treated with thyroidectomy alone. Exclusion criteria were: prior or synchronous non-thyroidal malignancies (within the first year), familial syndromes associated to multiple neoplasms, ionizing radiation exposure or second tumors with unknown histopathology. Results During a mean follow-up of 11.0 ± 7.5 years, 17 (4.1%) patients developed solid NSSPM. Patients with NSSPM were older than those without (p = 0.02). RAI-131 and I-131 cumulative activity were similar in patients with and without NSSPM (p = 0.18 and p = 0.78, respectively). Incidence of NSSPM was 5.2% in patients with RAI-131 treatment and 2.5% in those without RAI-131 (p = 0.18). Using multivariate analysis, RAI-131 was not significantly associated with NSSPM occurrence (p = 0.35); age was the only independent predictor (p = 0.04). Under log rank statistical analysis, after 10 years of follow-up, it was observed a tendency of lower NSSPM-free survival among patients that received RAI-131 treatment (0.96 vs . 0.87; p = 0.06), what was not affected by age at DTC diagnosis. Conclusion In our cohort of DTC survivors, with a long-term follow-up period, RAI-131 treatment and I-131 cumulative dose were not significantly associated with NSSPM occurrence. A tendency of premature NSSPM occurrence among patients treated with RAI-131 was observed, suggesting an anticipating oncogenic effect by interaction with other risk factors.

Frequency of thyroid carcinoma and thyroid autoimmunity in first-degree relatives of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: A single center experience / Frequência de carcinoma de tireoide e autoimunidade tireoidiana em parentes de primeiro grau de portadores de carcinoma de tireoide: Experiência de um único centro

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of thyroid cancer and thyroid dysfunction in first-degree relatives of thyroid cancer patients, and to determine if there is a difference between familial and sporadic thyroid cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen first-degree relatives of seven families with at least two family members with thyroid cancer (TC) were compared with 128 first-degree relatives of 45 families with only one family member affected. Laboratory and ultrasound evaluation, fine-needle aspiration biopsy and thyroid surgery were used as normally done in clinical practice. RESULTS: Thyroid dysfunction was similar between the two groups. The frequency of TC and autoimmunity in the group that had two relatives with known thyroid cancer was higher, compared with the families that had sporadic thyroid cancer among their family members (40 percent vs. 2 percent, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Frequency of TC increases when more than one member of the family is affected. These findings suggest that these relatives should be screened more frequently than individuals in families in which only one case of TC is observed.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a frequência de carcinoma de tireoide e disfunção tireoidiana em parentes de pacientes com câncer da tireoide e determinar se há diferença entre aqueles com mais de um familiar acometido e os casos esporádicos. SUJEITO E MÉTODOS: Quinze familiares de sete famílias com dois membros sabidamente acometidos foram submetidos à avaliação ultrassonográfica e laboratorial. Cento e vinte e oito familiares de pacientes com carcinoma de tireoide, porém sem outros casos na família, foram utilizados como grupo comparador. RESULTADOS: Em relação à disfunção tireoidiana, não houve diferença entre os grupos. A frequência de carcinoma da tireoide e autoimunidade foi maior nos parentes que tinham dois membros da família afetados (40 por cento vs. 2 por cento, p = 0.0001). A apresentação clínica foi semelhante nos dois grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Devido à maior frequência de carcinoma de tireoide em parentes que possuem mais de um familiar afetado, o rastreamento desses indivíduos talvez deva ser mais intenso do que nos casos em que há apenas um caso na família.

Prognostic factors of a good response to initial therapy in children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic approaches in pediatric populations are based on adult data because there is a lack of appropriate data for children. Consequently, there are many controversies regarding the proper treatment of pediatric patients. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma diagnosed before 20 years of age and to determine the factors associated with the response to the initial therapy. METHODS: Sixty-five patients, treated in two tertiary-care referral centers in Rio de Janeiro between 1980 and 2005 were evaluated. Information about clinical presentation and the response to initial treatment was analyzed and patients had their risk stratified in Tumor-Node- Metastasis; Age-Metastasis-Extracapsular-Size; distant Metastasis-Age-Completeness of primary tumor resection-local Invasion-Size and American-Thyroid-Association classification RESULTS: Patients ages ranged from 4 to 20 years (median 14). The mean follow-up was 12,6 years. Lymph node metastasis was found in 61.5 percent and indicated a poor response to initial therapy, with a significant impact on time for achieving disease free status (p = 0.014 for response to initial therapy and p<0,0001 for disease-free status in follow-up). Distant metastasis was a predictor of a poor response to initial therapy in these patients (p = 0.014). The risk stratification systems we analyzed were useful for high-risk patients because they had a high sensitivity and negative predictive value in determining the response to initial therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Metastases, both lymph nodal and distant, are important predictors of the persistence of disease after initial therapy in children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid cancer.

Avaliação antropométrica e metabólica de parentes de primeiro grau do sexo masculino de mulheres com síndrome do ovário policístico / Anthropometric and metabolic evaluation of first-degree male relatives of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJETIVO: avaliar as características clínicas e laboratoriais de parentes de primeiro grau do sexo masculino de pacientes com diagnóstico confirmado de síndrome de ovários policísticos (SOP) e comparar os achados com um grupo controle sem história familiar de SOP. MÉTODOS: foram selecionados aleatoriamente 28 homens com idade entre 18 e 65 anos que possuíam parentesco de primeiro grau com mulheres diagnosticadas com SOP e 28 controles pareados por idade, cintura e índice de massa corporal (IMC). RESULTADOS: homens com parentesco de 1º grau com mulheres com SOP comparados ao Grupo Controle apresentaram níveis mais elevados de triglicerídeos (189,6±103,1 versus 99,4±37,1; p<0,0001), HOMA-IR (Homeostase Model Assesment) (3,5±9,1 versus 1,0±1,0; p=0,0077) e glicemia (130,1±81,7 versus 89,5±7,8; p=0,005), além de menores níveis da globulina ligadora de hormônios sexuais (SHBG) (23,8±13,8 versus 31,1±9,1; p=0,003). Os níveis de SHBG se correlacionaram independentemente com os níveis de triglicérides. Os parentes de 1º grau também apresentavam mais sinais clínicos de hiperandrogenismo. CONCLUSÕES: parentes de primeiro grau do sexo masculino das pacientes com SOP apresentam maior grau de dislipidemia e de resistência à insulina, além de níveis mais baixos de SHBG com mais sinais clínicos de hiperandrogenismo. Esses achados sugerem que a resistência à insulina pode ter origem hereditária em indivíduos com história familiar de SOP, independentemente de parâmetros antropométricos.

PURPOSE: to evaluate clinical and laboratory characteristics of first-degree male relatives of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to compare the findings with a control group with no family history of PCOS. METHODS: we randomly selected 28 male individuals aged 18 to 65 years who were first-degree relatives of women diagnosed with PCOS and 28 controls matched for age, waist and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: men with 1st degree kinship with women with PCOS had higher levels of triglycerides (189.6±103.1 versus 99.4±37.1, p<0.0001), Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA-IR) (3.5±9.1 versus 1.0±1.0, p=0.0077) and glucose (130.1±81.7 versus 89.5±7.8, p=0.005), and lower levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (23.8±13.8 versus 31.1±9.1, p=0.003). SHBG levels correlated independently with triglyceride levels. These individuals also had more clinical signs of hyperandrogenism. CONCLUSIONS: male individuals who are first-degree relatives of patients with PCOS have a higher degree of dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, lower levels of SHBG, and more evident clinical signs of hyperandrogenism. These findings suggest that insulin resistance may be of hereditary origin in individuals with a family history of PCOS regardless of anthropometric parameters.