Assessment of galectin-3 in thyroid lesions expression through immuno-histochemical approach

Abstract

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most prevalent kind of thyroid cancer and is distinguished by unique nuclear characteristics. The lesions may be diagnosed morphologically and histo pathologically in the majority of instances using standard Hemato xylin and Eosin stained sections. In some cases with the follicular pattern, it is challenging to make the decision between benign and malignant tumor. This diagnostic dilemma shows a major role in the management and prognosis of the patient. Hence the additional support is required to assess the lesion to diagnose the thyroid tumor. In this context this study is taken up to evaluate the usefulness of galectin-3 in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions either as a benign or malignant. The galectin 3 expression was examined in 20 benign follicular adenomas and in 20 malignant papillary carcinoma through observational study. On poly-l-lysine coated slides, 4 mm thick paraffin sections were examined by IHC using standard procedures. All the 20 cases of follicular adenoma showed negative staining for galectin3, whereas all papillary carcinoma in thyroid and its variants showed strong positivity 3+ in 18 cases and 2+ in 2 cases. The diagnosis of papillary carcinoma in thyroid and its variants is very sensitive and specific with galectin-3. Though diagnosis of conventional papillary carcinoma is not that difficult, dilemmas arise more often in follicular variant in which galectin 3 immunohistochemistry can be helpful. Galectin 3 can be used to differentiate benign and malignant tumors. Keywords: Galectin 3, papillary carcinoma, thyroid gland and follicular adenoma.