Surgical roles in the management of metachronus para-aortic lymph node recurrence and synchronous para-aortic lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer patients

Background: The relative rarity of synchronous para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis (SPM) and metachronous PALN recurrence (MPR) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients leads to a limited number of studies on patient management, and no treatment guidelines have been established to date. Objective: To assess the prognostic, predictive roles, and long-term outcomes of different management strategies for isolated MPR and SPM in CRC patients to establish the best one. Materials and Methods: We included 35 CRC patients with isolated MPR and 25 patients with isolated SPM who underwent curative R0 resection. We performed PALN dissection (PALND) in 15 cases in MPR group and in 10 cases in the SPM group; all remaining patients in both groups underwent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) without further surgical intervention. During the study period of about 5 years, we compared the patients who underwent PALND and those who underwent CRT. Results: The overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates were significantly longer in patients who underwent PALND (p = 0.049 and 0.036 respectively). (AU)

External validation of nomogram to predict inguinal lymph node metastasis in patients with penile cancer and clinically negative lymph nodes

ABSTRACT Introduction Penile cancer (PC) occurs less frequently in Europe and in the United States than in South America and parts of Africa. Lymph node (LN) involvement is the most important prognostic factor, and inguinal LN (ILN) dissection can be curative; however, ILN dissection has high morbidity. A nomogram was previously developed based on clinicopathological features of PC to predict ILN metastases. Our objective was to conduct an external validation of the previously developed nomogram based on our population. Materials and methods We included men with cN0 ILNs who underwent ILN dissection for penile carcinoma between 2000 and 2014. We performed external validation of the nomogram considering three different external validation methods: k-fold, leave-one-out, and bootstrap. We also analyzed prognostic variables. Performance was quantified in terms of calibration and discrimination (receiver operator characteristic curve). A logistic regression model for positive ILNs was developed based on clinicopathological features of PC. Results We analyzed 65 men who underwent ILN dissection (cN0). The mean age was 56.8 years. Of 65 men, 24 (36.9%) presented with positive LNs. A median 21 ILNs were removed. Considering the three different methods used, we concluded that the previously developed nomogram was not suitable for our sample. Conclusions In our study, the previously developed nomogram that was applied to our population had low accuracy and low precision for correctly identifying patients with PC who have positive ILNs.

Preoperative detection of TERT promoter and BRAFV600E mutations in papillary thyroid carcinoma in high-risk thyroid nodules

ABSTRACT Objectives: This observational study analyzed telomerase reverse transcriptase (pTERT) mutations in 45 fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens obtained from thyroid nodules followed by postoperatively confirmation of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) diagnosis, examining their relationship with clinicopathologic aspects and the BRAFV600E mutation. Subjects and methods: Clinical information was collected from patients who presented to Ribeirao Preto University Hospital for surgical consultation regarding a thyroid nodule and who underwent molecular testing between January 2010 to October 2012. Tests included a DNA-based somatic detection of BRAFV600E and pTERT mutations. Results: We found coexistence of pTERTC228T and BRAFV600E mutations in 8.9% (4/45) of thyroid nodules. All nodules positive for pTERT mutations were BRAFV600E positives. There was a significant association between pTERTC228T/BRAFV600E with older age and advanced stage compared with the group negative for either mutation. Conclusions: This series provides evidence that FNA is a reliable method for preoperative diagnosis of high-risk thyroid nodules. pTERTC228T/BRAFV600E mutations could be a marker of poor prognosis. Its use as a personalized molecular medicine tool to individualize treatment decisions and follow-up design needs to be further studied.

Accuracy of sentinel lymph node mapping in detecting occult neck metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma

ABSTRACT Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the following: 1) the accuracy of sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) in detecting metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and 2) if SLNM could modify the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging of previous cN0 PTC patients. Subjects and methods: Forty SLNM were performed prospectively in 38 consecutive cN0 PTC patients, with total thyroidectomy and elective compartment neck dissection (CND). The results of SLNM were compared with CND pathological findings to verify the accuracy of sentinel SLNM. Results: The mean patients' follow-up was 36 months. A total of 133 SLN were found at levels VI, II, III and IV. The SLN was identified in 95% of the patients with one false negative, 95% sensitivity, a 94% negative predictive value and 97% accuracy. The SLNM upstaging from cN0 to pN+ was 49%, and to stages III and IVa, it was 21%. Conclusions: For this series of cN0 PTC patients: 1) SLNM accuracy was 97%, and 2) SLNM upstaging from cN0 to pN+ was 49%, whereas to stages III and IVa, it was 21%.

A novel model to estimate lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer patients

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the postoperative pathological characteristics of hysterectomy specimens, preoperative cancer antigen (CA)-125 levels and imaging modalities in patients with endometrial cancer and to build a risk matrix model to identify and recruit patients for retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. METHODS: A total of 405 patients undergoing surgical treatment for endometrial cancer were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Clinical (age and body mass index), laboratory (CA-125), radiological (lymph node evaluation), and pathological (tumour size, grade, lymphovascular space invasion, lymph node metastasis, and myometrial invasion) parameters were used to test the ability to predict lymph node metastasis. Four parameters were selected by logistic regression to create a risk matrix for nodal metastasis. RESULTS: Of the 405 patients, 236 (58.3%) underwent complete pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, 96 (23.7%) underwent nodal sampling, and 73 (18%) had no surgical lymph node assessment. The parameters predicting nodal involvement obtained through logistic regression were myometrial infiltration >50%, lymphovascular space involvement, pelvic lymph node involvement by imaging, and a CA-125 value >21.5 U/mL. According to our risk matrix, the absence of these four parameters implied a risk of lymph node metastasis of 2.7%, whereas in the presence of all four parameters the risk was 82.3%. CONCLUSION: Patients without deep myometrial invasion and lymphovascular space involvement on the final pathological examination and with normal CA-125 values and lymph node radiological examinations have a relatively low risk of lymph node involvement. This risk assessment matrix may be able to refer patients with high-risk parameters necessitating lymphadenectomy and to decide the risks and benefits of lymphadenectomy.

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: factors related to occult lymph node metastasis / Carcinoma espinocelular da cavidade oral: fatores relacionados à presença de metástases linfonodais ocultas

INTRODUCTION: Elective neck dissection is recommended in cases of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma without lymph node metastasis because of the risk of occult metastasis. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate predictive factors for occult lymph node metastasis in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma treated with elective neck dissection and their impact on overall and disease-free survival. METHODS: Forty surgically treated patients were retrospectively included. RESULTS: Ten cases (25%) had lymphatic metastasis. Of the studied variables, perineural and angiolymphatic invasion in addition to tumor thickness were statistically associated with lymph node metastasis. Only angiolymphatic invasion was identified as an independent risk factor for occult metastasis in the logistic regression (OR = 39.3; p = 0.002). There was no association between overall and disease-free survival with the presence of occult lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: Metastatic disease rate was similar to that found in the literature. Perineural and angiolymphatic invasion and tumor thickness were associated with occult metastasis, but only angiolymphatic invasion showed to be an independent risk factor .

INTRODUÇÃO: O esvaziamento cervical eletivo é realizado de maneira sistemática nos casos de carcinoma espinocelular da cavidade oral sem linfonodos clinicamente comprometidos devido à alta incidência de metástases ocultas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar pacientes com carcinoma espinocelular de cavidade oral tratados com esvaziamento cervical eletivo quanto a fatores preditivos para ocorrência de metástases ocultas e o impacto das mesmas na sobrevivência global e livre de progressão destes pacientes. MÉTODO: Quarenta pacientes cirurgicamente tratados foram avaliados em estudo retrospectivo. RESULTADOS: Dez casos (25%) apresentaram metástases ocultas. Das variáveis analisadas, invasão perineural e angiolinfática e também a espessura tumoral foram estatisticamente significantes à análise univariada. Apenas a invasão angiolinfática foi fator independente de risco de metástases ocultas pela regressão logística (OR = 39,3; p = 0,002). A presença de metástase oculta não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante em relação às taxas de sobrevivência global e livre de progressão. CONCLUSÃO: A incidência de metástase oculta foi semelhante à literatura. A invasão perineural, angiolinfática e a espessura tumoral foram fatores associados à presença de metástase oculta, porém apenas a invasão angiolinfática apresentou-se como um fator de risco independente para ocorrência do fenômeno. .

Is There Any Role of Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography for Predicting Resectability of Gallbladder Cancer?

The role of integrated 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) is uncertain in gallbladder cancer. The aim of this study was to show the role of PET-CT in gallbladder cancer patients. Fifty-three patients with gallbladder cancer underwent preoperative computed tomography (CT) and PET-CT scans. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-six patients underwent resection. Based on the final outcomes, PET-CT was in good agreement (0.61 to 0.80) with resectability whereas CT was in acceptable agreement (0.41 to 0.60) with resectability. When the diagnostic accuracy of the predictions for resectability was calculated with the ROC curve, the accuracy of PET-CT was higher than that of CT in patients who underwent surgical resection (P=0.03), however, there was no difference with all patients (P=0.12). CT and PET-CT had a discrepancy in assessing curative resection in nine patients. These consisted of two false negative and four false positive CT results (11.3%) and three false negative PET-CT results (5.1%). PET-CT was in good agreement with the final outcomes compared to CT. As a complementary role of PEC-CT to CT, PET-CT tended to show better prediction about resectability than CT, especially due to unexpected distant metastasis.

Avaliação de polimorfismos nos genes XPD e XRCC3 em carcinomas orais de células escamosas / Evaluation of polymorphisms in the XPD and XRCC3 genes in oral squamous cell carcinomas

O carcinoma oral de células escamosas (COCE) é importante causa de morbidade e mortalidade em todo o mundo a despeito dos recentes avanços nas formas de tratamento. Diante disto, várias são as pesquisas no intuito de se encontrar marcadores que possam melhorar a avaliação do prognóstico desta doença. Neste sentido têm se destacado os estudos dos polimorfismos genéticos, os quais podem influenciar a suscetibilidade individual para o desenvolvimento do câncer. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a associação entre a frequência dos polimorfismos XPD Lys751Gln e XRCC3 Thr241Met e o perfil clinicopatológico em casos de COCE, incluindo idade, sexo, presença ou não de metástase e gradação histológica de malignidade de Bryne (1998). A amostra foi composta por 54 casos de COCE e 40 casos de hiperplasia fibrosa inflamatória (HFI). Os casos de COCE foram classificados como lesões de baixo ou de alto grau de malignidade. Foram utilizadas amostras de DNA previamente extraído de blocos de parafina. Os genótipos para cada caso foram determinados através da técnica de PCR-RFLP (reação em cadeia da polimerase - polimorfismos de comprimento de fragmentos de restrição). Os resultados foram submetidos aos testes estatísticos Exato de Fisher e Quiquadrado de Pearson e foi calculada a razão de chance (odds ratio) considerando o nível de significância quando p<0,05. Para o XPD, o genótipo Lys/Gln foi mais comum nas HFIs (n=28; 70%) que nos COCEs (n=24; 44,4%) (OR: 0,3; p<0,05). A frequência do alelo Gln foi maior nas lesões de alto grau, em comparação às de baixo grau (0,48 e 0,21, respectivamente) (OR: 3,4; p<0,05). Para o XRCC3, o alelo Met foi mais frequente no COCE que na HFI (0,49 e 0,35, respectivamente) (OR: 2,6; p<0,05). O genótipo Met/Met foi associado à presença de metástases (OR: 8,1; p<0,05). Não houve associação estatística significativa entre os genótipos e a idade ou sexo dos pacientes. Na amostra analisada, a maior frequência do alelo XPD Gln na HIF revela um possível papel protetor dessa variante contra o desenvolvimento do COCE. Todavia, sua associação com lesões de alto grau, indica que esse alelo poderia influenciar no processo de progressão após o tumor instalado. A presença do alelo XRCC3 Met, por sua vez, parece contribuir com o desenvolvimento do COCE e de metástases nessas lesões. (AU)

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite recent advances in treatment. There are several studies aiming to find markers that may improve the assessment of this disease prognosis. Studies about genetic polymorphisms have gained prominence due to their influence on individual susceptibility to cancer development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the frequency of polymorphisms XPD Lys751Gln and XRCC3 Thr241Met and clinicopathological features of OSCC cases, including age, sex, presence or absence of metastases, and histological grading of malignancy according to Bryne (1998). Sample consisted of 54 cases of OSCC and 40 cases of inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia (IFH). OSCC cases were classified as low or high grade. DNA samples were previously extracted from paraffin blocks. Genotypes for each case were determined through PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism). Results were analyzed by Fisher's exact test and Chi-square test and the odds ratio was calculated considering p < 0.05 to indicate statistical significance. For XPD, Lys/Gln genotype was more common in IFHs (n=28; 70%) than in OSCCs (n=24; 44.4%) (OR: 0.3; p<0.05). Frequency of Gln allele was higher in high-grade lesions when compared to low grade lesions (0.48 and 0.21, respectively) (OR: 3.4; p<0.05). For XRCC3, Met allele was more common in OSCC than in IFH (0.49 and 0.35, respectively) (OR: 2.6; p<0.05). Met/Met genotype was associated with presence of metastases (OR: 8.1; p<0.05). There was no statistically significant association between the genotypes and the age or sex of patients. In the present sample, the higher frequency of XPD Gln allele in IFH reveals a possible protective role of this variant against the development of OSCC. However, its association with high-grade lesions indicates that this allele could influence the tumor progression after the neoplasia development. The presence of XRCC3 Met allele, in turn, seems to contribute to the development of OSCC and metastases. (AU)

Pre-operative contrast enhanced computer tomographic evaluation of cervical nodal metastatic disease in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Aims: This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) criteria in detecting cervical lymph node metastasis in 50 patients with an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSQCC). Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients with OSQCC who underwent clinical assessment, routine CECT scanning of cervical lymph node and radical neck dissection were analyzed. Radiologic criteria for diagnosing nodal metastasis in this imaging study were: A nodal size of 1 cm, the presence of central lucency despite the size of the lymph node and grouping of lymph nodes. These criteria were based on modified American Joint Committee on Cancer Radiological Nodal Staging Guidelines. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test/Fisher Exact test has been used to find the significant association of findings. Diagnostic statistics viz.: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were obtained. The results were considered significant when P value was less than 0.05. Results: On using a nodal size of 1 cm and the presence of central nodal necrosis (CNN) as radiological criteria for nodal metastasis CT scanning staged 23 of the 27 histopathologically positive necks, providing accuracy of 88%, sensitivity of 92%, and specificity of 84% in detection of nodal metastasis. A significant relationship between the incidence of CNN, different nodal densities, and primary tumor differentiation was observed. Conclusions: The nodal size cut-off of 1-1.5 cm had a maximal sensitivity of 90.91% and PPV of 86.96%. Furthermore, observation of nodal densities in the absence of frank CNN on the CT scan may be necessary especially in low grade primary tumor. CT assessment of cervical node metastasis was found acceptable, although adjuncts like ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration may further increase efficacy of CT scan in nodes lesser than 1 cm in size.

Extensive Tuberculous Lymphadenitis Mimicking Distant Lymph Node Metastasis on F-18FDG PET/CT in a Patient with a History of Malignant Melanoma

18-Fluoredeoxyglucose position emission tomography and computed tomography (F-18FDG PET/CT) scanning has been useful in the evaluation of malignant disorders and has been extensively used in cancer screening.1 However, F-18FDG uptake was not found to be specific for cancer diagnosis. Here, we describe increased F-18FDG uptake on PET/CT caused by extensive tuberculous lymphadenitis in a 62-year-old woman with malignant melanoma.

Imunoexpressão de VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, HIF-1α e mensuração da densidade linfática em carcinomas epidermóides de lábio inferior metastáticos e não-metastáticos: uma relação com parâmetros clinocopatológicos e prognósticos / Immunoexpression of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, HIF-1α and measurement of lymphatic density in squamous cell carcinomas of the lower lip metastatic and non-metastatic: a relationship with prognostic parameters and clinocopatológicos

O carcinoma epidermóide de lábio inferior está entre as lesões malignas mais comuns da região oral e maxilofacial, com prognóstico bom, em mais de 90% dos pacientes com sobrevida de 5 anos. Nestas lesões, o desenvolvimento de metástase linfonodal diminui sobremaneira o prognóstico e tem sido associado à formação de novos vasos linfáticos. Tem sido sugerido o importante papel do fator de crescimento endotelial vascular-C (VEGF-C), do receptor tipo 3 do VEGF (VEGFR-3) e do fator 1 induzido por hipóxia (HIF-1) neste processo. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar as imunoexpressões de VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, HIF-1 a e a densidade linfática intra e peritumoral em carcinomas epidermóides de lábio inferior metastáticos e não-metastáticos, correlacionando-as com parâmetros clinicopatológicos e prognósticos. A amostra foi constituída por 50 casos de carcinoma epidermóide de lábio inferior, 25 com metástase linfonodal regional e 25 sem metástase. Foram avaliados os percentuais de células imunomarcadas para os anticorpos anti-VEGF-C, anti-VEGFR-3 e anti-HTF-la, no front de invasão e no centro tumoral. A densidade microvascular linfática (LMVD) foi estabelecida por meio da soma da contagem de microvasos linfáticos imunomarcados pelo anticorpo anti-D2-40> em cinco campos (200x), em uma área de avaliação com 0,7386 rnm . A invasão dos vasos linfáticos por células neoplásicas também foi avaliada. A imunomarcação foi relacionada com a presença e ausência de metástase, estadiamento clínico TNM, recidiva local, desfecho da doença (remissão da lesão ou óbito dos pacientes) e gradação histológica. A análise das densidades linfáticas intra e peritumorais não demonstrou associação significativa com os parâmetros clinicopatológicos, prognósticos e imunoexpressões de VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 e HIF-1 a (p > 0,05).

Houve fraca correlação positiva, significativa, entre as densidades linfáticas intra e peritumorais (r = 0,405; p = 0,004). O VEGF-C não exibiu associação significativa entre os parâmetros clinicopatológicos e prognósticos avaliados (p > 0,05). Para o VEGFR-3, houve escassa marcação membranar e intensa e homogénea marcação citoplasmática nas células neoplásicas. O percentual de positividade citoplasmática do VEGFR-3, no centro tumoral, exibiu associação estatisticamente significativa com a presença de metástase (p = 0,009), óbito dos pacientes (p = 0,008) e gradações histológicas de malignidade proposta por Bryne et ai. (1992) (p = 0,002) e pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (p = 0,003). Uma fraca correlação, estatisticamente significativa, entre a imunoexpressão de VEGF-C e VEGFR-3 citoplasmática (r = 0,358;/) = 0,011) e entre os percentuais de positividade citoplasmática de VEGFR-3 no front de invasão e no centro tumoral (r = 0,387; p = 0,005) também foi demonstrada. Não foi observada associação entre o HIF-1 a os parâmetros clinicopatológicos, prognósticos e o VEGF-C e VEGFR-3. O percentual de positividade nuclear para HIF-1 a foi significativamente maior nos casos sem invasão dos linfáticos peritumorais (p - 0,040). Com base nos resultados pode-se concluir que a maior expressão citoplasmática de VEGFR-3, no centro tumoral, nos casos metastáticos, de alto grau de malignidade e pobremente diferenciados, contribui para pior evolução dos carcinomas epidermóides de lábio inferior, incluindo o óbito dos pacientes. As densidades linfáticas intra e peritumorais parecem não estar associadas ao densenvolvimento de metástase linfonodal nestes carcinomas.

Expression of X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein in Neoplastic Thyroid Disorder

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is associated with tumor genesis, growth, progression and metastasis, and acts by blocking caspase-mediated apoptosis. In the present study, we sought to evaluate the expression patterns of XIAP in various neoplastic thyroid disorders and determine the association between XIAP expression and clinicopathologic factors. Expression of XIAP was evaluated with immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal anti-XIAP in 164 specimens of conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 53 specimens of other malignant or benign thyroid tumors. XIAP positivity was observed in 128 (78%) of the 164 conventional PTC specimens. Positive rates of XIAP expression in follicular variant PTC, follicular, medullary, poorly differentiated, and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma specimens were 20%, 25%, 38%, 67%, and 38%, respectively. Six nodular hyperplasia specimens were negative and 1 of 7 follicular adenomas (8%) was positive for XIAP. Lateral neck lymph node metastases were more frequent in patients negative for XIAP expression (P = 0.01). Immunohistochemical staining for XIAP as a novel molecular marker may thus be helpful in the differential diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Moreover, high XIAP expression in conventional PTC is strongly associated with reduced risk of lateral neck lymph node metastasis.

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Biopsy for Diagnosis of Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy in Patients with Extrathoracic Malignancy

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy associated with extrathoracic malignancy or a metastasis of unknown origin (MUO) requires pathological verification. Surgical exploration or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is limited to application. We investigated the effectiveness of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle biopsy (EBUS-TBNA) for evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with an extrathoracic malignancy. We retrospectively analyzed data from 59 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA with a core biopsy because of a suspected mediastinal metastasis between September 2008 and August 2010. All patients had previously been diagnosed with an extrathoracic malignancy (n = 39, 66.1%) or a suspected MUO without a thoracic lesion (n = 20, 33.9%). A total of 88 lymph nodes was analyzed. EBUS-TBNA findings indicated malignancies in 34 patients (57.6%). The EBUS-TBNA sensitivity and specificity for the detection of mediastinal malignancy in patients with a previous extrathoracic malignancy were 96.3% and 100%, respectively. For MUO patients without a thoracic lesion, the sensitivity and specificity were 61.5% and 100%, respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 81.0% and 100%, respectively (P = 0.053). EBUS-TBNA is a safe and effective modality for evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with a previous extrathoracic malignancy or a MUO without a thoracic lesion. The application of this diagnostic tool is likely to have significant clinical implications.

A Scoring System for Prediction of Lateral Neck Node Metastasis from Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Lateral neck node metastasis is an important prognostic factor in thyroid carcinoma. We developed a scoring system for use in prediction of lateral neck node metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer. In this study, 161 consecutive patients were included in the training data set. This scoring system, named the Yonsei Estimated Value (YEV) for lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer, was developed on the basis of results from multivariate logistic regression analysis of preoperative clinical and radiologic data. Sixty eight consecutive patients were included for testing of the validity of the scoring system. The equation for prediction of lateral neck node metastasis was follows: YEV (Yonsei Estimated Value) = 1/(1+X) X = Exp (5.333-[0.902 x sex]+[0.036 x age]-[1.020 x tumor size]-[0.177 x lymph node size]-[0.032 x lymph node density]) When the YEV was 0.3 or more, the probability of lateral neck node metastasis was 79.0%, with sensitivity of 76.3%, specificity of 69.8%, positive predictive value of 56.7%, and negative predictive value of 85.1% in the training set. When fine needle aspiration biopsy for suspicious lateral neck nodes is not possible, or the results are inadequate, our scoring system for prediction of lateral neck node metastasis can be helpful in optimization of the surgical extent for each patient.

Thyroglobulin measurements in washout of fine needle aspirates in cervical lymph nodes for detection of papillary thyroid cancer metastases / Determinação da tireoglobulina no lavado da agulha da punção aspirativa de linfonodos cervicais para detecção de metástases do câncer papilar de tireoide

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the measurement of thyroglobulin in washout needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB-Tg) to detect papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) metastases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients (51.4 ± 14.6 years) with PTC diagnosis and evidence of enlarged cervical lymph nodes (LN) were included. An ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of suspicious LN was performed, for both cytological examination and measurement of FNAB-Tg. RESULTS: The median values of FNAB-Tg in patients with metastatic LN (n = 5) was 3,419 ng/mL (11.1-25,538), while patients without LN metastasis (n = 38) showed levels of 3.7 ng/mL (0.8-7.4). Considering a 10 ng/mL cutoff value for FNAB-Tg, the sensitivity and specificity was 100 percent. There were no differences on the median of FNAB-Tg measurements between those on (TSH 0.07 mUI/mL) or off levothyroxine (TSH 97.4 mUI/mL) therapy (3.3 vs. 3.8 ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.2). CONCLUSION: The results show that evaluation of FNAB-Tg in cervical LN is a valuable diagnostic tool for PTC metastases that can be used independent of the thyroid status.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a acurácia da dosagem de tireoglobulina no lavado da agulha da punção aspirativa (PAAF-Tg) de linfonodos (LN) cervicais para detecção de metástases do câncer papilar de tireoide (CPT). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 43 pacientes (51,4 ± 14,6 anos) com diagnóstico de CPT e evidência de LN cervicais aumentados. Os LN suspeitos foram submetidos à punção aspiração com agulha fina guiada por ecografia para análise citológica e dosagem de tireoglobulina (PAAF-Tg). RESULTADOS: A mediana dos valores de PAAF-Tg nos LN metastáticos (n = 5) foi 3.419,0 ng/mL (11,1-25.538), enquanto nos LN não metastáticos (n= 38) a mediana foi de 3,7 ng/mL (0,8-7,4). Utilizando-se o nível de 10 ng/mL como ponto de corte, observaram-se sensibilidade e especificidade de 100 por cento. Os níveis de TSH sérico não interferiram na dosagem de PAAF-Tg (3,3 e 3,8 ng/mL nos grupos com TSH supresso (TSH 0,07 mUI/mL) e hipotireoidismo (TSH 97,4 mUI/mL), respectivamente, P = 0,2). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados demonstram que a dosagem de PAAF-Tg é uma ferramenta importante no diagnóstico de metástases do CPT, podendo ser utilizada independente do "status" tireoidiano.

Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging of Lymph Nodes in Cancer Patients

The accurate identification and characterization of lymph nodes by modern imaging modalities has important therapeutic and prognostic significance for patients with newly diagnosed cancers. The presence of nodal metastases limits the therapeutic options, and it generally indicates a worse prognosis for the patients with nodal metastases. Yet anatomic imaging (CT and MR imaging) is of limited value for depicting small metastatic deposits in normal-sized nodes, and nodal size is a poor criterion when there is no extracapsular extension or focal nodal necrosis to rely on for diagnosing nodal metastases. Thus, there is a need for functional methods that can be reliably used to identify small metastases. Contrast-enhanced MR imaging of lymph nodes is a non-invasive method for the analysis of the lymphatic system after the interstitial or intravenous administration of contrast media. Moreover, some lymphotrophic contrast media have been developed and used for detecting lymph node metastases, and this detection is independent of the nodal size. This article will review the basic principles, the imaging protocols, the interpretation and the accuracies of contrast-enhanced MR imaging of lymph nodes in patients with malignancies, and we also focus on the recent issues cited in the literature. In addition, we discuss the results of several pre-clinical studies and animal studies that were conducted in our institution.