Supervivencia prolongada luego de pequeñas dosis de terapia con radioyodo en metástasis cerebral de cáncer de tiroides / Long-term survival after small doses of radioiodine therapy for brain metastases of thyroid cancer

Resumen El cáncer diferenciado de tiroides generalmente se acompaña de una supervivencia a largo plazo. Sin embargo, en algunos casos pueden desarrollarse metástasis a distancia y, entre ellas, las localizaciones cerebrales son de mal pronóstico. El objetivo de esta presentación es comunicar el caso clínico de una mujer de 65 años que consultó por diplopía en la mirada vertical que había aparecido un mes antes. La resonancia magnética mostró una gran masa a nivel del cóndilo occipital. Se realizó el diagnóstico de tumor cerebral primario, por lo que fue operada dos veces con resección tumoral incompleta. El estudio histopatológico confirmó una lesión metastásica de carcinoma de tiroides. Se realizó una tiroidectomía total con resección de un cáncer papilar de la variante folicular. Luego, fue tratada con éxito con pequeñas cantidades repetitivas de yodo radiactivo para una dosis total acumulada de 325 mCi 131I, con una supervivencia a largo plazo.

Abstract Differentiated thyroid cancer is generally accompanied by a long term survival. However,in some cases distant metastases can develop and among them, brain localizations are of poor prognosis. The aim of this presentation is to communicate the clinical case of a 65 year-old woman who consulted for diplopia in vertical gaze which had appeared one month earlier. MRI showed a big mass at the level of the occipital condyle. Diagnosis of primary brain tumor was made so she was operated twice with incomplete tumor resection. The pathological study was confirmatory of a metastatic lesion of thyroid carcinoma. A total thyroidectomy with resection of a papillary cancer of the follicular variant was performed. Then, she was successfully treated with small repetitive radioiodine amounts for a total accumulated dose of 325 mCi 131I, with a long-term survival.

Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: characteristics at presentation, and evaluation of clinical and histological features associated with a worse prognosis in a Latin American cohort

ABSTRACT Objective We aimed to describe the presentation of papillary microcarcinoma (PTMC) and identify the clinical and histological features associated with persistence/recurrence in a Latin American cohort. Subjects and methods Retrospective study of PTMC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, with or without radioactive iodine (RAI), and who were followed for at least 2 years. Risk of recurrence was estimated with ATA 2009 and 2015 classifications, and risk of mortality with 7th and 8th AJCC/TNM systems. Clinical data obtained during follow-up were used to detect structural and biochemical persistence/recurrence. Results We included 209 patients, predominantly female (90%), 44.5 ± 12.6 years old, 183 (88%) received RAI (90.4 ± 44.2 mCi), followed-up for a median of 4.4 years (range 2.0-7.8). The 7th and 8th AJCC/TNM system classified 89% and 95.2% of the patients as stage I, respectively. ATA 2009 and ATA 2015 classified 70.8% and 78.5% of the patients as low risk, respectively. Fifteen (7%) patients had persistence/recurrence during follow-up. In multivariate analysis, only lymph node metastasis was associated with persistence/recurrence (coefficient beta 4.0, p = 0.016; 95% CI 1.3-12.9). There were no PTMC related deaths. Conclusions Our series found no mortality and low rate of persistence/recurrence associated with PTMC. Lymph node metastasis was the only feature associated with recurrence in multivariate analysis. The updated ATA 2015 and 8th AJCC/TNM systems classified more PTMCs than previous classifications as low risk of recurrence and mortality, respectively.

Thyroglobulin levels before radioactive iodine therapy and dynamic risk stratification after 1 year in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer

ABSTRACT Objectives: We sought to assess the relationship between stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) before radioactive iodine therapy (RIT), and the dynamic risk stratification 1 year after treatment, and to establish the utility of the sTg as a predictor of response to therapy in these patients. A retrospective chart review of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who underwent RIT after surgery and were followed for at least 1 year, was carried out. Subjects and methods: Patients were classified according to the dynamic risk stratification 1 year after initial treatment. The sTg values before RIT were compared among the groups. ROC curve analysis was performed. Results: Fifty-six patients were enrolled (mean age 44.7 ± 14.4 years, 80.7% had papillary carcinoma). Patients with excellent response had sTg = 2.1 ± 3.3 ng/mL, those with indeterminate response had sTg = 8.2 ± 9.2 ng/mL and those with incomplete response had sTg = 22.4 ± 28.3 ng/mL before RIT (p = 0.01). There was a difference in sTg between excellent and incomplete response groups (p = 0.009) while no difference was found between indeterminate and either excellent or incomplete groups. The ROC curve showed an area under the curve of 0.779 assuming a sTg value of 3.75 ng/mL. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that the higher the sTg before RIT, the greater the likelihood of an incomplete response to initial treatment. A sTg cut-off of 3.75 ng/mL was found to be a good predictor of response to initial treatment in patients with DTC.

Oxidative stress in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer: Early effects of radioiodine therapy.

Ionizing radiation in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients treated with radioiodine (131-I) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could induce oxidative stress with disturbance of redox balance. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress in DTC patients treated with 3.7 or 5.5 GBq of 131-I using values for serum malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of oxidative stress), uric acid (to determine antioxidant status) and total antioxidative status (TAS). The study population included 20 DTC patients and 20 healthy controls. Significant differences in MDA concentrations were found between DTC patients before 131-I therapy and control subjects (p = 0.001), while TAS values were similar in both populations (p>0.05). There was a negative correlation between MDA concentrations and TAS in the DTC group before therapy (R2 = 0.2973, p = 0.013). Three days after 131-I therapy, MDA concentrations were higher than the pretreatment values (3.36 ± 1.69 nmol/mL vs. 2.93 ± 1.31 nmol/mL; p = 0.006), while serum uric acid concentrations declined progressively from 341.0 ± 80.39 μmol/L to 304.25 ± 77.25 μmol/L (p = 0.026) in 3 days and 291.2 ± 88.86 μmol/L (p = 0.009) in 7 days after 131-I therapy. There was no dose-dependent effect on MDA, or uric acid concentrations and TAS. Thus, 131-I therapy in DTC patients induced oxidative stress, which was accompanied by a simultaneous and extended reduction in uric acid concentration, but without significant disturbances in TAS. This is the first study that evaluated TAS capacity in DTC patients before and 7 days after 131-I therapy. The relatively stabile TAS values in these patients indicated a good protection from oxidative stress induced by high doses of ionizing radiation.

Is thyroid stunning clinically relevant? A retrospective analysis of 208 patients / O atordoamento da tireoide é clinicamente relevante? Análise retrospectiva de 208 pacientes

Objective : Current guidelines have advised against the performance of 131I-iodide diagnostic whole body scintigraphy (dxWBS) to minimize the occurrence of stunning, and to guarantee the efficiency of radioiodine therapy (RIT). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of stunning on the efficacy of RIT and disease outcome.Subjects and methods : This retrospective analysis included 208 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer managed according to a same protocol and followed up for 12-159 months (mean 30 ± 69 months). Patients received RIT in doses ranging from 3,700 to 11,100 MBq (100 mCi to 300 mCi). Post-RIT-whole body scintigraphy images were performed 10 days after RIT in all patients. In addition, images were also performed 24-48 hours after therapy in 22 patients. Outcome was classified as no evidence of disease (NED), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD).Results : Thyroid stunning occurred in 40 patients (19.2%), including 26 patients with NED and 14 patients with SD. A multivariate analysis showed no association between disease outcome and the occurrence of stunning (p = 0.3476).Conclusion : The efficacy of RIT and disease outcome do not seem to be related to thyroid stunning. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(3):292-300.

Objetivo : As diretrizes atuais alertam contra a execução da cintigrafia de corpo inteiro com iodo-131 (dxWBS) para minimizar a ocorrência de atordoamento e garantir a eficiência do tratamento com radioiodo (RIT). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto do atordoamento sobre a eficácia do RIT e desfechos da doença.Sujeitos e métodos : Esta análise retrospectiva incluiu 208 pacientes com câncer diferenciado de tireoide submetidos ao mesmo protocolo e acompanhados por 12-159 semanas (média de 30 ± 69 meses). Os pacientes receberam RIT com doses variando de 3.700 a 11.100 MBq (100 mCi a 300 mCi). As imagens da cintigrafia após a RIT foram feitas 10 dias depois da RIT em todos os pacientes. Além disso, as imagens foram também obtidas após 24-48h em 22 pacientes. O desfecho foi classificado como nenhuma evidência de doença (NED), doença estável (SD) e doença progressiva (PD).Resultados : O atordoamento da tireoide ocorreu em 40 pacientes (19,2%), incluindo 26 pacientes com NED e 14 pacientes com SD. A análise multivariada não mostrou associação entre o desfecho da doença e a ocorrência de atordoamento (p = 0,3476).Conclusão : A eficácia da RIT e o desfecho da doença não parecem estar relacionados com o atordoamento da tireoide. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(3):292-300.

Response to sorafenib treatment in advanced metastatic thyroid cancer / Resposta ao tratamento com sorafenibe em pacientes com carcinoma metastático de tireoide

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of sorafenib in progressive radioiodine resistant metastatic thyroid carcinoma.Subjects and methods: Off-label observational study. Sorafenib 400 mg twice daily was evaluated. Therapy duration was 12 ± 3 months (range 6-16 months).Results: Eight patients were included (seven papillary, one insular variant). The eight patients meeting study criteria received sorafenib 400 mg orally twice a day until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity developed. One patient showed a partial response with tumor regression of -35%, six months after the beginning of the treatment; five patients exhibited stable disease and two patients had progressive disease and died. Thyroglobulin decreased within 4 weeks in all patients by 50% ± 23%.Adverse events: one patient had heart failure, and recovered after sorafenib withdrawal. However, she died five months later of sudden death.Conclusion: These data suggest a possible role for sorafenib in the treatment of progressive metastatic DTC. Adverse event are usually manageable, but severe ones may appear and these patients should be strictly controlled.

Objetivo: Investigar a eficácia do sorafenibe no carcinoma de tireoide metastático progressivo e refratário à iodoterapia.Sujeitos e métodos: Estudo observacional do efeito do sorafenibe off-label administrado 400 mg duas vezes ao dia. A duração da terapia foi de 12 ± 3 meses (variação de 6-16 meses).Resultados: Oito pacientes foram incluídos (sete com variante papilífera e um com variante insular). Os oito pacientes que preencheram os critérios do estudo receberam o sorafenibe 400 mg por via oral duas vezes por dia até progressão da doença ou toxicidade inaceitável. Um paciente apresentou uma resposta parcial com regressão tumoral da lesão alvo de 35% seis meses após o início do tratamento; cinco pacientes apresentaram doença estável e dois pacientes progrediram e morreram. A tireoglobulina diminuiu 50% ± 23% em 4 semanas em todos os pacientes.Eventos adversos: um paciente teve insuficiência cardíaca e morreu por morte súbita cinco meses após a retirada do sorafenibe.Conclusão: Esses dados sugerem um possível papel para sorafenibe para o tratamento do CDT metastático progressivo.

Incidental finding of ovarian teratoma on post-therapy scan for papillary thyroid cancer and impact of SPECT/CT imaging / Achado incidental de teratoma ovariano em uma avaliação pós-tratamento para carcinoma papilar de tiroide e impacto da tomografia computadorizada por emissão de fóton único

A 41-year old woman post thyroidectomy and neck dissection is presented in this case. She initially presented goiter and an enlarged cervical lymph node. She had no family history of cancer or radiation therapy. She had total thyroidectomy and found to have papillary thyroid cancer (T4N1M0). Histopathology report revealed multifocal classical papillary thyroid carcinoma with lympho-vascular invasion, extra-thyroidal extension, and positive lymph nodes. She was treated with 6.5 Gigabecquerel (GBq) of 131Iodine. Whole-body scan showed uptake in the neck and large focus in the left lower abdomen. Single-photon emission computed tomography SPECT/CT demonstrated a round shaped mass in the left pelvis. Pathology revealed cystic teratoma with benign thyroid tissue (struma ovarii), and no malignancy. Two months later, she had the second treatment with 5.5 GBq 131Iodine. Her follow-up stimulated and non-stimulated thyroglobulin levels were significantly lower, and there was no abnormal uptake in the follow-up scan.

Este é o caso de uma mulher de 41 anos de idade, com pós-tireoidectomia e dissecção da área do pescoço. Ela inicialmente apresentou bócio e um linfonodo cervical aumentado. Não tinha histórico familiar de câncer ou tratamento com radiação. Ela foi submetida a uma tiroidectomia total e se observou um carcinoma papilar de tiroide (T4N1M0). Os achados histopatológicos revelaram carcinoma papilar multifocal clássico com invasão linfovascular, extensão extratiroideana e linfonodos positivos. Ela foi tratada com 6.5 Gigabecquerel (GBq) de Iodo131. A tomografia de corpo inteiro mostrou captação na área do pescoço e um grande foco no abdômen inferior esquerdo. A tomografia computadorizada por emissão de fóton único SPECT/CT demonstrou uma massa arredondada na pelve esquerda. A análise patológica revelou um teratoma cístico com tecido tiroideano benigno (struma ovarii) e nenhuma malignidade. Dois meses depois, ela foi submetida a um segundo tratamento com 5.5 GBq de Iodo131. O acompanhamento dos níveis de tireoglobulina estimulada e não estimulada foi significativamente mais baixo e não houve captação anormal na tomografia seguinte.

Carotid artery rupture following radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma / Ruptura de carótida pós-iodoterapia em carcinoma diferenciado de tireoide

INTRODUCTION: Radioiodine therapy for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer aims at reducing tumor recurrence by eradicating residual macro- and microscopic foci. Side effects are generally rare, tenuous and transient, with little clinical significance. OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of differentiated thyroid carcinoma presenting a large expansive solid mass at the base of the skull, with invasion of the left masticatory muscle and adjacent subcutaneous tissue, and without invasion of the carotid space, which evolved to carotid artery rupture following radioiodine therapy. DISCUSSION: Side effects are uncommon after radioiodine therapy and when present, have mild intensity. Serious adverse events are very rare, especially those arising from structures not directly invaded by metastatic tissue with radioiodine uptake, as occurred in this case. This occurrence serves to raise awareness of the need for increased care when using radioiodine therapy on high-avidity masses located close to important structures.

INTRODUÇÃO: Iodoterapia em pacientes com carcinoma diferenciado da tireoide tem o objetivo de reduzir a recorrência tumoral erradicando focos residuais macro e microscópicos. Os efeitos colaterais, em geral, são raros, tênues e transitórios, com pouca repercussão clínica. OBJETIVO: Relatar um caso raro de carcinoma diferenciado da tireoide apresentando grande massa sólida expansiva na base do crânio, com invasão da musculatura mastigatória esquerda e do tecido subcutâneo adjacente, sem invasão do espaço carotídeo que evoluiu com ruptura de carótida pós-iodoterapia. DISCUSSÃO: Os efeitos colaterais pós-iodoterapia são pouco frequentes e, quando presentes, de intensidade discreta. Os eventos adversos graves são muito raros, em especial, aqueles decorrentes de estruturas não invadidas diretamente pelo tecido metastático iodocaptante, como nesse caso, alertando também para a necessidade do aumento dos cuidados na terapia de grandes massas ávidas pelo radioiodo próximas às estruturas nobres.

Low risk stage I endometrial carcinoma: Prognostic factors and outcomes.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate clinical features of patients with low-risk stage I endometrium cancer, who received adjuvant therapy or followed with observation only and to analyse the effects of known prognostic factors in this group of patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 246 patients (median age: 53, range: 31-77) with low-risk stage I endometrial cancer, who were just followed postoperatively (156 patients) or received adjuvant radiotherapy (90 patients) between 1996 and 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Local recurrence was detected in four patients, distant metastasis occurred in seven patients, and two patients had both local recurrence and distant metastasis. The 83.3% of recurrences were on the vaginal stump. Five- and ten-year local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) rates are 97.6%, 97.6% and 96.4%, 93.5% in the observation and adjuvant therapy groups, respectively, whereas distant control rates are 96.7% and 96.3%. In multivariate analysis, only age and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) were found to affect OS and disease-free survival (DFS). Conclusions: LC and OS rates are high in the low-risk group of patients; however, current adjuvant therapies did not improve the outcomes. Age over 60 years and the presence of LVI have negative effects on outcomes in this group of patients.

Patients with familial non-medullary thyroid cancer have an outcome similar to that of patients with sporadic papillary thyroid tumors / Pacientes com câncer não medular familiar da tiroide têm evolução similar aos portadores de câncer papilífero esporádico

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to determine whether familial non-medullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC) is more aggressive than sporadic thyroid cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We compared the clinical behavior and outcome of 16 subjects with FNMTC from 7 unrelated kindred with those observed in 160 subjects with sporadic PTC (SPTC) from our database. RESULTS: The only different baseline characteristics observed between both groups were: bilateral malignancy, 38 percent vs. 24 percent, respectively (p = 0.03), and lymph node metastasis, 56.2 percent vs. 39 percent, respectively (p = 0.01). Considering the outcome, in the FNMTC, 9 (56.2 percent) patients were rendered free of disease, one patient died from thyroid cancer (6 percent), and 6/16 (37.5 percent) had persistent disease. In the SPTC Group, 87 (54 percent) patients were considered free of disease, 11 (7 percent) died due to PTC, and 62 (38 percent) had persistent disease (p = ns). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the higher incidence of lymph node metastasis in FNMTC patients this situation seemed not to alter the compared outcome.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se o câncer de tiroide não medular (CNMF) é mais agressivo do que o câncer esporádico de tiroide. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Comparamos o comportamento clínico e a evolução de 16 portadores de CNMF de sete famílias não relacionadas com 160 CP (câncer papilífero) esporádicos de nosso serviço. RESULTADOS: As únicas diferenças nas características basais dos grupos eram: malignidade bilateral 38 por cento vs. 24 por cento, respectivamente (p = 0,03), e metástases linfonodais, 57,1 por cento vs. 39 por cento, respectivamente (p = 0,01). Em relação à evolução, 9 (56,2 por cento) pacientes com CNMF ficaram livres de doença, um paciente faleceu devido ao CP (6 por cento) e 6/16 (37,5 por cento) apresentavam persistência da doença. No grupo de CP esporádicos, 87 (54 por cento) foram considerados livres de doença, 11 (7 por cento) morreram em decorrência do CP e 62 (38 por cento) apresentavam persistência da doença (p = ns). CONCLUSÃO: Apesar da elevada incidência de metástases linfonodais nos pacientes com CNMF, essa situação não parece alterar a evolução dos dois grupos em longo prazo.

Postoperative chemoradiation in patients with localized gastric adenocarcinoma: Single center experience.

Background : 5-Flourouracil (FU)-based chemotherapy (CT) and concurrent 45 Gy radiotherapy (RT) is one of the standard postoperative approaches currently used in gastric carcinoma. The high toxicity rates of this treatment leads to interruption of treatment in the majority of patients. In our study, we investigated the rates of toxicity and treatment discontinuation observed during postoperative FU-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT); retrospectively evaluated the effect of CRT and the other prognostic factors on local and distant control and survival. Patients and Methods: A total of 160 patients consisting of 97 total and 63 subtotal gastrectomy receiving postoperative CRT, have been studied retrospectively. Results : Patients who had to discontinue the treatment for a median of 6 (range, 3-13) days experienced toxicity during treatment at a rate of 43%. During the 21 (range, 4-68) months of follow-up local recurrences were observed in 8 (5%) patients and distant recurrences were observed in 41 (25.6%) patients. While the 1-3 year overall survival (OS) rates were 75% and 42%, 13-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 63% and 42%, respectively. In the univariate analysis for OS and DFS demonstrated statistical significance for below those 60 years of age, D1-D2 dissection type, negative surgical margin, early treatment beginning, the absence of invasion, and early stage disease. D1D2 dissection type, early treatment begining, age below 60 years and early stage disease significantly improve OS and DFS in multivarite analysis. Conclusions: Survival is worse in patients older than 60 years, had late treatment begining, advanced stage and D0 dissection.

Cumulative doses of radioiodine in the treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma: knowing when to stop / Doses cumulativas de iodo radioativo no tratamento do carcinoma diferenciado de tireoide: sabendo a hora de parar

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy of cumulative doses (CDs) of 131I-iodide therapy (RIT) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The probability of progressive disease according to CDs was evaluated in patients < 45 years old and > 45 years old and correlated to tumor-node-metastasis (TNM), thyroglobulin values, histological types and variants, age, and zduration of the disease. RESULTS: At the end of a follow-up period of 69 ± 56 months, 85 out of 150 DTC patients submitted to fixed doses RIT had no evidence of disease, 47 had stable disease and 18 had progressive disease. Higher CDs were used in the more aggressive variants (p < 0.0001), higher TNM stages (p < 0.0001), and follicular carcinomas (p = 0.0034). Probability of disease progression was higher with CDs > 600 mCi in patients > 45 years old and with CDs > 800 mCi in patients < 45 years. CONCLUSION: Although some patients may still respond to high CDs, the impact of further RIT should be carefully evaluated and other treatment strategies may be warranted.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia de doses cumulativas (DCs) da terapia com iodeto-131I (RIT) no câncer diferenciado de tiroide (CDT). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: A probabilidade de doença em progressão conforme a DC foi calculada em pacientes com idade < 45 e > 45 anos e correlacionada com o TNM, valores de tiroglobulina sérica, tipos histológicos e variantes, idade e tempo de doença. RESULTADOS: Ao final de um seguimento de 69 ± 56 meses, 85 dos 150 pacientes CDT submetidos a doses fixas de RIT não tinham evidência de doença, 47 tinham doença estável e 18, doença progressiva. DCs mais elevadas foram usadas nas variantes agressivas (p < 0,0001), maior estágio TNM (p < 0,0001) e nos carcinomas foliculares (p = 0,0034). A probabilidade de doença em progressão foi maior com DCs > 600 mCi em pacientes > 45 anos e com DCs > 800 mCi em pacientes < 45 anos. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de alguns pacientes ainda responderem a altas DCs, o impacto de RITs deve ser cuidadosamente avaliado e outras estratégias terapêuticas devem ser consideradas.

Is it necessary to reduce the radioiodine dose in patients with thyroid cancer and renal failure? / É necessário reduzir as atividades de radioiodo nas terapias de pacientes com câncer de tireoide e disfunção renal?

The objective of this study were to obtain dosimetric data from a patient with thyroid cancer simultaneously undergoing peritoneal dialysis therapy, so as to determine the appropriate amount of 131I activity to be applied therapeutically. Percentages of radioiodine in the blood and the whole-body were evaluated, and radiation absorbed doses were calculated according to OLINDA/EXM software. Whole-body 131I effective half-time was 45.5 hours, being four times longer than for patients without any renal dysfunction. Bone-marrow absorbed dose was 0.074 mGy/MBq, with ablative procedure maintenance at 3.7 GBq, as the reported absorbed dose was insufficiently restrictive to change the usual amount of radioiodine activity administered for ablation. It was concluded that radioiodine therapeutic-dose adjustment, based on individual patient dosimetry, is an important way of controlling therapy. It also permits the safe and potential delivery of higher doses of radiation to tumors and undesirable tissues, with a minimum of malignant effects on healthy tissues.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a atividade de radioiodo a ser administrada na terapia de um paciente portador de câncer de tireoide e simultaneamente tratado com diálise peritoneal. Percentuais de radioiodo em sangue e corpo-total foram avaliados após a administração de uma atividade traçadora e a dosimetria foi calculada utilizando o software OLINDA/EXM. A meia-vida efetiva do radioiodo em corpo-total foi de 45,5 horas, sendo quatro vezes maior que aquela observada em pacientes sem disfunção renal. A dose em medula óssea foi de 0,074 mGy/MBq, administrando-se uma atividade terapêutica de 3,7 GBq, uma vez que a estimativa de dose não foi suficientemente restritiva para mudar a atividade usual de radioiodo com função ablativa. Concluiu-se que a terapia individualizada de pacientes permite manter o equilíbrio entre o máximo de dose de radiação liberada em tumores ou tecidos indesejados com o mínimo de efeitos maléficos sobre tecidos sadios

Aggressive form of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma: role of ablative dose of Iodine-131

Ectopic thyroid tissue carcinoma is very rare and has usually good prognosis. It could arise in 1 percent of thyroglossal duct cysts (TDC), the most common nonodontogenic cysts that occur in the neck, which results from a failure in obliterating the embryogenic duct produced during thyroid migration. TDC is most often diagnosed during the childhood but may be discovered later in adult age. In most of the cases reported in the literature, thyroid carcinoma arising in the TDC is limited to the cyst without local extension and its efficient treatment consist of the surgical removal of the cyst by Sistrunk's operation. However, some controversies remain regarding the indication of total thyroidectomy when thyroid investigations are normal. Cases of aggressive thyroid carcinomas of the TCD with metastatic cervical lymph nodes are exceptional, mainly when histological findings of the thyroid gland are normal. We report a case of an aggressive form of a thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma complicated with several infiltrated cervical lymph nodes but normal thyroid gland. The therapeutic strategy adopted in this case shows the decisive role of the post-operative ablative dose of Iodine-131 both for treatment and staging of aggressive form of thyroid carcinoma arising in thyroglossal duct cyst.

Timo persistente y su implicancia en el seguimiento del cáncer diferenciado del tiroides / Abnormal mediastinal radioiodine uptake due to persistent thymus: report of one case

We report a 37 years old female operated for a multifocal papillarythyroid carcinoma. During her follow up, mediastinal uptake of radioiodine due to a persistent thymus, was detected. Thisis a situation may cause a false positive uptake of radioiodine that may be interpreted as a tumor relapse or metastasis.

Contribuição da tomografia computadorizada em pacientes com metástases pulmonares de carcinoma diferenciado de tireóide não-aparentes na radiografia e tratados com radioiodo / Contribution of computed tomography in patients with lung metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma not apparent on plain radiography who were treated with radioiodine

A tomografia computadorizada (TC) de tórax é mais sensível que a radiografia na detecção de metástases pulmonares do carcinoma diferenciado de tireóide (CDT), sendo importante conhecer melhor o valor agregado desse método. Este estudo avaliou a resposta ao tratamento com 131I em pacientes com metástases pulmonares de CDTs não-aparentes na radiografia e o valor da TC nesses casos. Foram avaliados 25 pacientes com metástases pulmonares não-aparentes na radiografia, que receberam inicialmente 100 a 200 mCi de 131I. Naqueles com pesquisa de corpo inteiro (PCI) pós-dose com captação pulmonar, um novo tratamento era realizado após seis a 12 meses, e assim sucessivamente. A chance do encontro de captação pulmonar na PCI pós-dose não foi diferente em pacientes com TC negativa ou positiva (100 por cento versus 91,5 por cento). Os valores médios de tireoglobulina (Tg) sérica foram maiores naqueles com TC positiva (108 ng/mL versus 52 ng/mL). PCI pós-dose negativa foi alcançada em 82 por cento dos pacientes com TC positiva e em 92,3 por cento com TC negativa, e a atividade acumulada de 131I para alcançar essa resposta não foi diferente nos dois grupos (em média, 300 mCi). Quarenta e sete por cento dos pacientes com TC negativa ao final do tratamento apresentaram Tg estimulada indetectável, mas nenhum daqueles que permaneceu com TC positiva apresentou-a. Em pacientes com Tg elevada, o resultado da TC aparentemente não altera a indicação da terapia e a atividade de 131I a ser administrada. Nos casos com metástases pulmonares, a permanência de micronódulos na TC nos pacientes com PCI pós-dose negativa após o tratamento foi associada à persistência de Tg detectável.

Computed tomography (CT or CAT Scan) of the chest is more sensitive than radiography in the detection of lung metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), but little information is available regarding the aggregated value of this method. The present study evaluated the response of patients with lung metastases of DTC not apparent on radiography to treatment with 131I and the value of CT in these cases. Twenty-five patients with lung metastases not apparent on radiography, who initially received 100-200 mCi I151, were evaluated and those presenting pulmonary uptake on post-therapy WBS were submitted to a new treatment after 6 to 12 months, and so on. The chance of detection of pulmonary uptake on post-therapy WBS did not differ between patients with negative and positive CT (100 percent versus 91.5 percent). Mean serum Tg levels were higher in patients with positive CT (108 ng/ml versus 52 ng/ml). Negative post-therapy WBS was achieved in 82 percent of patients with positive CT and in 92.3 percent with negative CT and the cumulative I131 activity necessary to achieve this outcome did not differ between the two groups (mean = 300 mCi). Stimulated Tg was undetectable in 47 percent of patients with negative CT at the end of treatment, but in none of the patients whose CT continued to be positive. In patients with elevated Tg, the CT result apparently did not change the indication of therapy or the I131 activity to be administered. In cases with lung metastases, the persistence of micronodules on CT was associated with the persistence of detectable Tg in patients presenting negative post-therapy WBS.

Carcinoma diferenciado de tiroides después de irradiación: a propósito de un caso / Carcinoma differentiated of thyroid after irradiation: by the way of a case

El carcinoma diferenciado de tiroides es una enfermedad rara en el niño. En pacientes de edad pediátrica y en adolescentes tiene un buen pronóstico y una elevada sobrevida. Presentamos el caso de un paciente diagnosticado en nuestro hospital quien había recibido, 6 años atrás, irradiación de cabeza y cuello a causa de un linfoma no Hodgkin de localización cervical derecha. En el seguimiento se detectó nódulo del lóbulo derecho del tiroides y mediante biopsia se realizó el diagnóstico de carcinoma papilar de tiroides. El resultado del tratamiento realizado (cirugía y aplicación de yodo radioactivo) fue bueno, por lo que se concluye que el diagnóstico temprano y el tratamiento actual logran una remisión completa en el carcinoma diferenciado de tiroides.

The differentiated thyroid carcinoma is a rare disease in children. In patients at pediatric ages and among adolescents, it has a good prognosis and a high survival rate. The case of a patient diagnosed in our hospital that received irradiation of the head and neck due to a non-Hodgkin lymphoma of right cervical localization 6 years before, was presented. A nodule in the right lobe of the thyroid was detected in the follow-up. The diagnosis of thyroid papillary carcinoma was made by biopsy. As the result of the treatment (surgery and radioiodine) was good, it was concluded that the early diagnosis and the current treatment allowed a complete remission in the differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Microscopic papillary thyroid cancer as an incidental finding in patients treated surgically for presumably benign thyroid disease.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is a relatively common entity in the general population. AIM: To present our experience with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma of the thyroid as an incidental finding in patients treated surgically for presumably benign thyroid disease. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Histology reports of patients treated surgically with a preoperative diagnosis of benign thyroid disease were reviewed to identify patients with PTMC. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer were excluded from this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The files of 380 patients who underwent surgery for presumably benign thyroid disease in our hospital from 1990 to 2002 were reviewed. Data regarding patient's demographics, pathology findings, management and outcomes, were retrieved. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The findings are expressed as absolute numbers and as percentages (with reference to the total number of patients of this study). RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with PTMC diagnosed incidentally following thyroid surgery for presumably benign thyroid disease (27/380 or 7.1%) (multinodular goiter = 20 patients, follicular adenoma = 6 patients, diffuse hyperplasia of the thyroid = 1 patient) are presented. Mean diameter of PTMC was 4.4 mm. In 11 patients (40.7%) the tumor was multifocal and in about half of them tumor foci were found in both thyroid lobes. In two patients the tumor infiltrated the thyroid capsule. Total/near-total thyroidectomy was performed in all these patients (in three as completion thyroidectomy). All patients received suppression therapy and 20 of them underwent adjuvant radioiodine therapy. Follow-up (mean 4.56 years, range 1-12 years) was completed in 25 patients; all these patients were alive and disease-free. CONCLUSIONS: PTMC is not an uncommon incidental finding after surgery for presumably benign thyroid disease (7.1% in our series). The possibility of an underlying PTMC should be taken into account in the management of patients with nodular thyroid disease; total/near total thyroidectomy should be considered, at least in selected patients with presumably benign nodular thyroid disease.

Impact of adjuvant external irradiation in treatment of locally advanced papillary carcinoma of the thyroid

To look for the possible efficacy of external beam irradiation [EBRT] for locally advanced papillary thyroid cancers. Between April 2002 and June 2005, 91 patients with locally advanced papillary thyroid cancers [pathologic stage T4 or N1] were treated with surgical resection. After surgery, 23 patients received postoperative EBRT [12 patients were treated with EBRT+ ablative radioiodine therapy [RAI] and 11 patients received postoperative EBRT only], and 68 patients were treated with RAI alone. The distribution of age, sex, and stage was comparable in both therapeutic groups. The overall survival rates at 2 years were statistically not significantly different between the two groups at 98.1% for the no-EBRT group and 90% for the EBRT group [p = 0.5]. The locoregional control rates at 2 years were significantly different [EBRT 95.2% and no EBRT 67.5%; p = 0.04]. Analysis of the prognostic factors age, sex, stage, and use of radioiodine ablative therapy, indicated these were not significantly variables, except for EBRT. Adjuvant postoperative EBRT did not affect overall survival, but significantly improved locoregional control in patients with locally advanced papillary thyroid cancer [Stage T4 or Lymph node involvement]