Completion Total Thyroidectomy Research Articles

Re-operative surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer: A single institutional experience of 182 cases

IntroductionRe-operative thyroid surgery (RTS) is performed in patients of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with residual or recurrent disease. However, there is a paucity of literature discussing experience and technique of RTS. This study aims to address this gap by providing a comprehensive review of RTS for DTC, utilizing experiences from a dedicated complex thyroid surgical oncology program at the apex hospital in a developing country. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the Department of Surgical Oncology's thyroid cancer database. The study period spanned from 2006 to 2022. Clinical presentation, prior surgical history, operative details of RTS, and post-operative outcomes were assessed. Descriptive analysis was performed. ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 182 patients underwent re-operative thyroid surgery (RTS). The primary surgeries performed prior to RTS included near-total or total thyroidectomy in most cases (69.2%), and approximately half of the patients (48.4%) had prior neck node interventions. The RTS procedures consisted of completion total thyroidectomy in 30.8% of cases and surgery for thyroid bed recurrence in 9.9% of cases, while central node dissection was performed in 46.2% of patients and unilateral or bilateral template neck dissection was performed in 41.8% of cases. Extended resections were required in 9.3% of patients. Post-operative complications included permanent hypoparathyroidism (2.7%) and unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (1.6%). ConclusionsRTS is a complex procedure with high rates of post-operative morbidity reported in literature. Optimal outcomes require a multidisciplinary approach, thorough assessment, and skilled surgeons.

Effect of near infrared autofluorescence guided total thyroidectomy on postoperative hypoparathyroidism: a randomized clinical trial.

The purpose of this single-blinded, 2-centre, randomized controlled trial was to test if near-infrared (NIR) autofluorescence image guidance for parathyroid gland (PG) detection during total thyroidectomy can reduce the incidence of hypoparathyroidism in both malignant and benign cases. Patients admitted for primary or completion total thyroidectomy were randomized to either the NIR intervention group or the standard care NONIR (no near infrared) group. The primary endpoint was the rate of hypoparathyroidism at the 3-month follow-up, defined as hypocalcemia and inappropriately low parathyroid hormone levels and/or continuous treatment with active vitamin D. The secondary endpoint was the PG identification rate. A total of 147 patients were included of whom 73 were allocated to NIR. Primary or completion thyroidectomy was conducted in 84 and 63 cases, respectively. A total of 130 completed 3months follow-up. Postoperative hypoparathyroidism in the NIR group at 12h, 1month and 3months was, respectively, 31.8, 14.1, 6.5% compared with 35.9, 18.9, 11.8% in the NONIR group (all p > 0.46). In the NIR group, the identification rate of PGs was 69.5% (146 of 210 PGs), and 9% (19 of 210 PGs) were identified only due to additional use of NIR. For 15 out of 69 patients (21.7%) additionally PGs was found. Hypoparathyroidism was nominally less frequent in the NIR group, although not statistically significant. Further studies are needed to confirm if NIR may be a supportive PG identification tool to minimize the number of PG which would have been otherwise missed, especially during more complicated thyroid procedures. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04193332. Registration date: 16.08.2019.

Estimating the risk of completion total thyroidectomy using real-world data to guide initial surgical decision-making for patients with clinical low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma

BackgroundContinuing controversy exists in different guidelines’ recommendations regarding whether total thyroidectomy (TT) or lobectomy is the optimal surgery for patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Diverse perceptions of the risk of completion TT after lobectomy are the main debate between guidelines and institutions.MethodsPatients who underwent thyroidectomy and prophylactic central lymph node dissection for ≤ 4 cm PTC (January 2007 to December 2020) by high-volume surgeons were included. Patients with preoperatively known high-risk characteristics or suspicious bilateral multifocality were excluded. The pathological findings were defined as the risk stratifications of completion TT from low to high to evaluate which initial surgical procedure could allow more patients to meet the criteria of optimal surgical extent.ResultsOf 4965 consecutive patients met lobectomy criteria as the initial operation. Aggressive histological subtypes were found in 2.5% of patients, T3b disease in 1.1%, T4 disease in 3.1%, LNs involved ≤ 5 in 29.5%, LNs involved > 5 in 3.1%, and incidental bilateral multifocality in 7.9%. According to our defined risk stratification system, TT and lobectomy would be considered the optimal initial procedure in 12.0% and 67.2% PTC patients with a tumor ≤ 1 cm and 28.7% and 36.6% in the 1–4 cm groups in our real-world cohort, respectively.ConclusionLobectomy alone, as an initial procedure, could allow more low-risk PTC patients with a tumor either ≤ 1 cm or 1–4 cm to achieve the optimal surgical extent. Moreover, surgeons should balance the high-risk characteristics and complication risks during surgery to re-evaluate surgical decision-making.

Thyroid lobectomy is sufficient for differentiated thyroid cancer with upgraded risk after surgery.

BackgroundIt is difficult to reliably distinguish between American Thyroid Association (ATA) low-risk and intermediate-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) before surgery. Therefore, physicians are faced with a dilemma regarding the necessity and timing of completion total thyroidectomy (CT) after thyroid lobectomy (TL). We evaluated proper surgical methods by analyzing oncologic outcomes of TL in patients with DTC whose risk had been upgraded after surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,702 patients with DTC who underwent TL and ipsilateral central lymph node (LN) dissection between January 2006 and December 2011. The patients were classified into Group A (n=1,159; low risk; ≤5 central LN metastases or the absence of pathologic microscopic capsular invasion) and Group B (n=543; upgraded intermediate risk after surgery; >5 central LN metastases or the presence of pathologic microscopic capsular invasion). We analyzed their clinicopathological characteristics and recurrence-free survival.ResultsAll 32 patients who experienced recurrence underwent CT. After the first operation, the duration until reoperation in Groups A and B were 8.00±2.74 (range, 3.42–12.17) and 5.10±3.09 (range, 1.25–11.67) years, respectively. There was no significant difference in recurrence rates, disease-related mortality rates, or 10-year recurrence-free survival rates between the two groups. The mean follow-up durations in Groups A and B were 10.22±1.58 and 10.13±1.47 years, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that sex, age, tumor size, multifocality, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), and number of central LN metastases were not associated with recurrence after TL, although the rate of central LN metastases was. Multivariate analysis showed that sex, age, tumor size, multifocality, ETE, central LN metastases, and the number of central LN metastases were not associated with recurrence after TL, although multifocality was.ConclusionsTL with prophylactic central compartment neck dissection (CCND) is sufficient for patients with DTC whose risk is upgraded after surgery because they have a good prognosis at long-term follow-up. Larger-scale randomized clinical trials are required to confirm our findings.

Re-do Operation Using a Robotic System due to Locoregional Recurrence after Initial Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer

Locoregional recurrent thyroid cancer is commonly treated with re-do operation. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using robotic system for re-do operation in locoregional recurrent thyroid cancer. Sixty-five patients who underwent re-do robotic operation using trans-axillary approach for locoregional recurrent thyroid cancer from October 2007 to April 2021 at Yonsei University Hospital were analyzed. Completion total thyroidectomy (CTT) was performed in 26 cases, CTT and modified radical neck node dissection (mRND) in 16, and mRND in 23. Most of the re-do robotic operations were performed at site of previous incision. All patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). CTT with central compartment neck dissection (CCND) took 117.6 ± 26.3 min, CTT with mRND 255.6 ± 38.6 min, and mRND, 211.7 ± 52.9 min. Transient hypocalcemia occurred in 17 (26.2%) patients and permanent hypocalcemia occurred in 3 (4.6%). There was one case of recurrent laryngeal nerve(RLN) injury. One patient was diagnosed with structural recurrence after re-do robotic operation. Median follow-up duration was 50.7 ± 37.1 months. Re-do robotic operation can be an alternative for patients who are diagnosed with locoregional recurrent thyroid cancer after thyroidectomy, with no increase in morbidity, similar oncologic outcomes, and superior cosmetic satisfaction.

Predictive Factors Indicative of Hemithyroidectomy and Close Follow-Up versus Bilateral Total Thyroidectomy for Aggressive Variants of Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Simple SummaryThis study evaluated the need for additional surgical treatment in patients diagnosed with aggressive variants of papillary thyroid cancer after lobectomy. With the increase in the frequency of early diagnosis, the detection of papillary thyroid cancer pathologically belonging to the aggressive variant is also increasing. Therefore, there is growing concern regarding the aggressive treatment of encapsulated aggressive variants of papillary thyroid cancer without invasive features. We suggest that close follow-up can be performed without any additional surgical treatment in patients with low-risk aggressive variants of papillary thyroid cancer incidentally detected after hemithyroidectomy. The patients should be provided sufficient consultation with clinicians.The diagnostic and treatment rates of early thyroid cancer have been increasing, including those of aggressive variants of papillary thyroid cancer (AVPTC). This study aimed to analyze the need for completion total thyroidectomy after lobectomy for clinically low-to-intermediate-risk AVPTC. Overall, 249 patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy (HT, n = 46) or bilateral total thyroidectomy (BTT, n = 203) for AVPTC between November 2005 and December 2019 at our single institution were examined. The average follow-up period was 14.9 years, with a recurrence rate of 4.3% and 10.8% in the HT and BTT groups, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that palpable tumor on the neck during evaluation (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1–6.4; p = 0.025), clinical N1b (HR, 8.3; 95% CI, 1.1–63.4; p = 0.041), tumor size (cm) (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0–1.7; p = 0.036), gross extrathyroidal extension (HR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.4–7.0; p = 0.007), and pathologic T3b (HR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.0–11.4; p = 0.045) or T4a (HR, 6.0; 95% CI, 1.9–18.8; p = 0.002) were associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Incidentalomas identified during diagnosis had a significantly lower risk of recurrence (HR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.9; p = 0.033). Close follow-up may be performed without completion total thyroidectomy for AVPTC found incidentally after HT.

Frozen section analysis of central lymph nodes in papillary thyroid cancer: the significance in determining the extent of surgery.

The indolent feature of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has recently led to an increase in less aggressive treatment options instead of total thyroidectomy (TT). We aimed to investigate the clinical significance of elective central compartment neck dissection (CCND) with intraoperative frozen analyses of the central lymph nodes (LNs) to determine the surgical extent of unilateral clinically node-negative PTC. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 290 patients with unilateral clinically node-negative PTC who underwent surgery and performed frozen analyses of the central LNs from 2020 to 2021 using our own nodal criteria with cut-off size 5 mm. The patients were divided and investigated according to the surgical extent and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines; diagnostic accuracy of the frozen analyses was estimated. TT was performed in 16.2% of patients. The TT group had more metastatic nodes with a larger size, higher LN ratio (LNR), and more extranodal extension. The analyses based on the NCCN guidelines showed similar findings, but more completion TT was required compared with our criteria. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the frozen analyses were 94.6%, 100%, 100%, and 96.1%, respectively. Elective CCND with intraoperative frozen analyses is a highly reliable procedure that detects occult nodal metastasis in unilateral node-negative PTC patients. Our nodal criteria yielded significant aggressive nodal characteristics in the TT group while yielding less TTs compared with the NCCN guidelines. The concept and clinical significance of small-volume nodal metastasis in PTC should be further investigated.

Long-term management of recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma treated with lenvatinib for over 5\xa0years: a case report

BackgroundFew reports exist of the long-term management of recurrent and progressive papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for over 5 years.Case presentationA 57-year-old woman was referred to a psychiatric hospital for the treatment of schizophrenia. The patient had been diagnosed with a PTC at the age of 40 and subsequently underwent a left thyroid lobectomy. At 47, completion total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection were performed and the patient assessed as radioactive iodine refractory postoperatively. External radiation therapy was performed for Rouviere lymph nodes. At 57, neck and mediastinal lymph nodes, and lung metastases had progressed, and the trachea became narrowed by para-tracheal lymph node compression. After 2 weeks of sorafenib therapy on an outpatient basis, the patient was discovered unconsciousness at home and transferred to hospital by ambulance; sorafenib therapy was stopped. The patient was diagnosed with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome by brain magnetic resonance imaging. External radiation therapy to the site of the tracheal stenosis in the neck and mediastinum was performed. The patient’s mental symptoms worsened, and she was referred to a psychiatric hospital, Kachi Memorial Hospital, in July 2015. In September, the patient’s mental state stabilized and in November, after computed tomography revealed rapid disease progression, lenvatinib was commenced at a daily dose of 24 mg. Measurable solid recurrence sites were neck lymph nodes in the pre-laryngeal subcutaneous space, right lobe of the lung, and left adrenal. After 3 months, the tumors shrank in a partial response (PR). Because of several adverse events, occasional dose reductions or discontinuations of lenvatinib were sometimes necessary. Since re-starting lenvatinib, treatment with this for 51 consecutive months was achieved while maintaining a PR. Although a new bone metastasis was noted after 57 months of lenvatinib, treatment was continued for another 9 months. The patient subsequently passed away in June 2021.ConclusionsThe long-term treatment of recurrent PTC with lenvatinib was feasible, with manageable adverse events, for more than 5 years.

Postoperative hypoparathyroidism after completion thyroidectomy for well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

Thyroid surgery may lead to postoperative complications. The aim of this paper was to determine whether the rate of postoperative hypoparathyroidism (HPT) is influenced by whether surgery is staged. Single-institution retrospective observational study. The clinical records of 786 patients treated at the Otolaryngology Unit of the Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia between January 1990 and December 2015 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical treatment received: group TT (637 patients, 81.04%) underwent single-stage total thyroidectomy; Group cT (149 patients, 18.96%) underwent loboisthmusectomy and delayed completion total thyroidectomy. Transient and permanent HPT, assessed after 6 months of follow-up, were the primary endpoints. Risk factors of postoperative HPT were also analysed as secondary outcomes. Rates of transient HPT in group TT were higher than those observed in group cT, (P = 0.0057). Analysis of risk factors identified sex as an independent risk factor for transient HPT only for group TT (P = 0.0012) and the number of parathyroid glands remaining in situ (PGRIS) as an independent risk factor for transient and permanent HPT for group TT (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0002, respectively). This study suggests that the risk of transient postoperative HPT is lower in patients that undergo completion thyroidectomy. Further independent risk factors for postoperative HPT are female sex and PGRIS score. In light of the growing use of conservative surgery for thyroid neoplasms, these findings could help to adequately plan surgery in order to reduce endocrine complications.

Completion Total Thyroidectomy in Occult Thyroid Cancer Patients after Partial Thyroidectomy

Thyroid cancer is one of the commonest cancer while the incidence of occult thyroid cancer is only 0,05%. Completion total thyroidectomy as one of the treatment choice for thyroid cancer which initially diagnosed preoperatively as benign thyroid mass, remains controversial. The aim of this study is to understand the effectiveness of completion total thyroidectomy after partial thyroidectomy, by analyzing from: proportion of malignant contralateral thyroid tissue, post operative complications, and recurrence of cancer. This retrospective study collected medical record datan between 2011 and 2016. Total sample were 16 patients (15 females, 1 male). There was no significant difference on contralateral thyroid tissue malignancy proportion between completion total thyroidectomy and without total thyroidectomy (p=0,375). It was found 3 surgical complications (50%) from 6 patients with completion total thyroidectomy and 3 complications (30%) from 10 patients without completion total thyroidectomy. The complications were temporary injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve (p=0,511), seroma (p=0,375), and hypoparathyroidism (p=0,375). No recurrence event after 4 years follow up amount both groups. In conclusion, there is no advantage in completion total thyroidectomy analized from proportion of malignant contralateral thyroid tissue, post operative complication and recurrence in 4 years-follow up.

Outcomes for Minimally Invasive Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma in Relation to the Change in Age Stratification in the AJCC 8th Edition.

Completion total thyroidectomy with radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is not uniformly recommended for minimally invasive follicular thyroid carcinomas (MI-FTCs) without distant metastasis, but may be considered for cases with a risk factor of recurrence, such as age ≥ 45years. The present study aimed to investigate the outcomes for patients with MI-FTC using a stratification age of 55years. The records of 478 patients with MI-FTC confirmed by surgical specimens at Ito Hospital from January 2005 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty patients had distant metastasis at diagnosis and were subsequently classified as M1. Among the 478 patients with MI-FTC, univariate analysis identified that age ≥ 55years (p = 0.002) and M1 (p < 0.001) were related to cause-specific survival. In 458 patients with M0 MI-FTC, male sex (p = 0.041), age ≥ 55years (p = 0.001), and tumor size > 40mm (p < 0.001) were related to poor disease-free survival (DFS) in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥ 55years (p = 0.005) and tumor size > 40mm (p = 0.005) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. The 10-year DFS rates of patients aged < 45years, 45years ≤ age < 55years, and ≥ 55years were 97.0%, 95.5%, and 86.4%, respectively. The change in the recommended age for completion total thyroidectomy with RAI, from 45 to 55years, seemed reasonable.

Completion Total Thyroidectomy Is Not Necessary for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma with Occult Central Lymph Node Metastasis: A Long-Term Serial Follow-Up.

Simple SummaryThe necessity of completion total thyroidectomy is unclear in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) with only pathological central lymph node metastasis (pCLNM). The aim of our study was to determine the necessity of completion total thyroidectomy after an initial surgery by comparing the prognosis according to the presence of pCLNM during a long-term follow-up. We retrospectively compared the pathological central lymph node (pCLN)-positive group of 165 patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy with the pCLN-negative group of 711 patients and found no difference between the two groups in the recurrence rate and disease-free survival rates. Therefore, PTMC patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy with prophylactic central compartment neck dissection and were diagnosed with pCLNM after surgery do not require completion total thyroidectomy.The necessity of completion total thyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and pathological central lymph node metastasis (pCLNM) who underwent thyroid lobectomy with central compartment neck dissection (CCND) is unclear. We determined the necessity of completion total thyroidectomy by retrospectively comparing the prognosis according to the presence of pCLNM during a long-term follow-up. We enrolled 876 patients with PTMC who underwent thyroid lobectomy with prophylactic CCND from January 1986 to December 2009. Patients were divided according to central lymph node (CLN) metastasis: 165 (18.8%) and 711 (81.2%) in the CLN-positive and CLN-negative groups, respectively. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, and clinicopathologic characteristics and recurrence rates were analyzed. The CLN-positive group was associated with male sex (p = 0.001), larger tumor size (p < 0.001), and more microscopic capsular invasion (p < 0.001) compared with the CLN-negative group. There was no significant difference between the two groups’ recurrence (p = 0.133) or disease-free (p = 0.065) survival rates. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed no factors associated with tumor recurrence except male sex (hazard ratio = 3.043, confidence interval 1.117–8.288, p = 0.030). Patients who were diagnosed with pCLNM after undergoing thyroid lobectomy with prophylactic CCND do not require completion total thyroidectomy; however, frequent follow-up is necessary for patients with PTMC and pCLNM.

Randomized trial of prophylactic ipsilateral central lymph node dissection in patients with clinically node negative papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of prophylactic ipsilateral central neck dissection (pCND) in patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). In this randomized control trial, a total of 164 consecutive patients were enrolled. By double-blinded randomization protocol, patients were allocated into hemithyroidectomy with pCND (n = 82) or without pCND (n = 82). With intention-to-treat analysis, post-surgical pathological and clinical course, surgery-related complications, causes and clinical course of protocol-violated cases and 5-year recurrence-free survival were compared. Operation time, hospital stay, and post-surgical complication were not significantly different between the two groups. In the pCND (+) group, occult lymph node metastasis rate was 50.0%, and lymph node ratio (metastatic/harvested lymph nodes) was 45.2%. Ten patients in the pCND (+) group had converted to undergo onsite or staged completion total thyroidectomy due to the presence of metastatic central lymph nodes and/or positive resection margin. Until last follow-up (mean 73.4 months), one regional recurrence developed in the pCND (-) group, and three regional recurrences occurred in the pCND (+) group. Five-year recurrence-free survival was similar between the two groups. Although ipsilateral pCND could clear occult lymph node metastasis in the central compartment, it failed to provide any oncological benefit for cN0 PTMC patients.

Challenges for huge goiter surgery

Objective To highlight the technical challenges and perioperative management of huge goiter guided by ultrasound scanning and, in some cases, computed tomography (CT) scan. Patients and methods Twenty-seven patients presented with large thyroid masses, whether primary or recurrent, and were studied and investigated retrospectively. Triple assessment was done for all patients in the form of history and physical examination, imaging studies, and fine-needle aspiration cytology. Intraoperative technical challenges and postoperative complications were focused on. Every patient has been scanned primarily by ultrasound examination of the neck followed by CT scan if ultrasound was unable to answer all the questions asked and requested by the treating physicians. Results All patients underwent surgical intervention in the form of total or completion total thyroidectomy with or without central lymph node dissection. Transient hypocalcemia was seen in six (22.22%) patients. (Three 11.11 %) patients developed postoperative temporary hoarseness of voice. No major intraoperative or postoperative bleeding was encountered, and no evidence of recurrence was detected during the follow-up period from 6 months to 3 years. Ultrasound was considered enough imaging modality in seven out of the 27 patients, whereas CT scan had to be done in the remaining 20 patients. Conclusion Thyroidectomy for huge goiter is a technical challenge but remains the best option for effective and definitive management. Diagnostic radiology is considered an essential part in the preoperative assessment of these patients. Comprehensive perioperative management and team work are crucial for successful outcomes.

Treatment outcomes of differentiated thyroid cancer with distant metastasis improve by tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

In patients with distant metastasis, treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) includes complete total thyroidectomy, followed by radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy for metastatic lesions. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment is the final treatment option for metastatic lesions, which is incurable with surgery/RAI therapy. The present study examined whether treatment outcomes for DTC in patients with distant metastasis improved following TKI treatment. This study included 147 patients (median age, 71; range, 33-91 years) who underwent surgery in our hospitals and were diagnosed with distant metastasis. Disease progression was observed in 70 patients, of whom 56 were treated with TKI (TKI group); 14 refused TKI treatment or showed no treatment indication [untreated (UT) group]. Disease progression and treatment outcomes were assessed using imaging evaluations. The present study investigated thyroglobulin doubling time (Tg-DT) and Tg antibody presence/absence and their relation to disease progression. Overall survival following disease progression between the two groups was compared. The study included 22 cases of sorafenib, 49 of lenvatinib, and 15 involving TKIs. The mean dosing period for sorafenib was 153 days and for lenvatinib was 462 days. In the TKI group, 16, 26, and 9 patients exhibited partial responses (PRs), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD), respectively, whereas 5 patients were not evaluable. The disease control rate (DCR) (PR+SD) was 75.0%. A total of 16 patients died in the TKI group, whereas 10/14 patients in the UT group died. Survival curves for the groups were significantly different. TKI treatment improved the prognosis of patients with distant metastasis and PD.

Concomitant Occurrence of Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) in a Branchial Cleft Cyst and an Occult Multifocal PTC of the Thyroid Gland

Development of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) inside branchial cleft cyst (BCC) is very rare and may cause diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We describe a 29-year-old female who presented with a gradually increasing painless cyst of the neck. The histopathological examination revealed PTC in both the lumen and lymphatic weaving. In addition, multifocal PTC of the thyroid was diagnosed following thyroidectomy. We conclude that despite normal thyroid on ultrasonography, a histopathological examination may reveal the presence of multifocal occult PTC in the thyroid. Therefore, following the diagnosis of PTC in BCC, completion total thyroidectomy should be the recommended procedure.

Long term outcomes of simple clinical risk stratification in management of differentiated thyroid cancer

ObjectiveTo establish the long term outcomes of risk stratified management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). BackgroundGuidelines for management of DTC lack a strong evidence base and expose patients to overtreatment. This prospective study of patients diagnosed with DTC between 1977 and 2012 describes the long term outcomes of a conservative risk stratified (AMES) management policy. MethodsOutcomes were analysed around patient and tumour characteristics, primary intervention (surgery ± radioiodine (RAI)), in terms of mortality, recurrence and reintervention. ResultsMedian follow-up in 348 patients was 14 years: mean age 48 (range 10–91) years, 257 (73.9%) female, 222 (68.3%) papillary cancer, tumour size 3.4 ± 2.0 cm (mean ± SD). 89 (25.6%) AMES high risk, 116 (33.3%) TNM stage III/IV and 16 (4.6%) had distant metastases. Primary surgery comprised lobectomy in 189 (54.3%): 11 (5.8%) patients had subsequent completion total thyroidectomy with cancer present in five. Primary nodal surgery was performed in 142 (40.8%) patients. 35 (13.5%) low and 43 (48.3%) high risk patients received RAI following initial surgery. Overall disease specific survival (DSS) was 92.1% at 10 years and 90.7% at 20 years. DSS at 20 years was 99.2% in low risk cases. AMES risk scoring predicted both survival and recurrence. Patients receiving RAI and AMES high risk were significantly associated with increased risk of death and recurrence. ConclusionsRoutine total thyroidectomy and RAI are not justifiable for low risk DTC. Treatment should be tailored to risk and AMES risk stratification remains a simple reliable clinical tool.

Association of tumor size and focality with recurrence/persistence in papillary thyroid cancer patients treated with total thyroidectomy along with radioactive-iodine ablation and TSH suppression.

Locoregional recurrence is common in papillary thyroid cancer PTC and an optimal surgical treatment with respect to the multifocal nature of the disease stays controversial. It is a retrospective analytical study design. 209 diagnosed PTCs managed at our institute were grouped into macro-PTC with a size of dominant focus >1cm (unifocal n=106 and multifocal n=64) and micro-PTMC if size of all foci was <1cm; (unifocal n=16 and multifocal PTMC n=23). The primary endpoint is recurrence and tumor free survival in each of the four groups. Secondary endpoint is an assessment of a benefit of completion total thyroidectomy in terms of assignment of true focal status to an individual's PTC. The median follow-up was 4.1years. Upon completion thyroidectomy, the tumor focality changed to multifocal in 31.4% of macro-PTC and 60% of micro-PTMC. Multifocality was an independent risk factor for recurrence, OR 2.41 for macro (CI 1.14-5.11), and 3.48 for micro-multifocal PTMC (CI 1.19-10.2). Disease free survival patterns on Kaplan-Meier's plots were alike for micro- and macro-unifocal groups, and similarly stayed comparable among the two multifocal groups. Our analysis showed that tumor multifocality rather than size is the significant factor determining prognosis; hence, total thyroidectomy is indicated for an optimal assessment of true focality in micro-PTC.

Partial thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: Is completion total thyroidectomy indicated?

AimPapillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is increasing in incidence. Despite its excellent clinical outcomes, there is still debate regarding which surgical approach is more appropriate for PTMC, procedures including hemithyroidectomy (HT), total thyroidectomy (TT), and completion thyroidectomy (CT) after initial HT and histopathologic examination confirming a PTMC. Here we report our experience in the surgical management of PTMC. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective evaluation of all patients who received a postoperative diagnosis of PTMC between January 2001 and January 2016. Every patient was divided according to the type of surgery performed (TT or HT alone). Follow-up consisted of regular clinical and neck ultrasonographic examination. Clinical and histopathological parameters (e.g. age, sex, lesion size, histological features, multifocality, lymph node metastases, BRAF status when available) as well as clinical outcomes (e.g. complications rates, recurrence, overall survival) were analyzed. ResultsGroup A consisted of 86 patients who underwent TT, whereas Group encompassed 19 patients who underwent HT. Mean follow-up period was 58.5 months. In Group A, one patient (1.2%) experienced recurrence in cervical lymph nodes with need for reoperation. In Group B, eight patients (42%) underwent completion thyroidectomy after histopathological examination confirming PTMC, while one patient (5.3%) developed PTMC in the contralateral lobe with need for reoperation at 2 years after initial surgery. Multifocality was found in 19 patients in Group A (22%). Of these, 14 presented bilobar involvement, whereas in 3 cases multifocality involved only one lobe. 1 patient in Group B (5.3%) presented with unilateral multifocal PTMC (p = 0.11). ConclusionsLow-risk patients with PTMC may benefit from a more conservative treatment, e.g. HT followed by close follow-up. However, appropriate selection of patients based on risk stratification is the key to differentiate therapy options and gain better results.

Application of the new American Thyroid Association guidelines leads to a substantial rate of completion total thyroidectomy to enable adjuvant radioactive iodine

The recently published 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines recognize lobectomy as a viable alternative for low-risk cancers and advise more conservative use of radioactive iodine. Some factors indicating adjuvant treatment with radioactive iodine (and therefore completion total thyroidectomy), however, only can be found upon pathologic investigation. We performed a retrospective analysis including patients with American Thyroid Association low- and low-to-intermediate risk well-differentiated thyroid cancer 1-4cm. We evaluated how often radioactive iodine would be indicated and compared this with our historic rate. A subanalysis was performed to determine the rate of completion total thyroidectomy necessary, based on the indications for adjuvant radioactive iodine therapy. A total of 394/1,000 (39.4%) patients were included for final analysis. Adjuvant radioactive iodine would have been favored in 101/394 (25.6%) of patients, which is 2.5 times less than was given in our historic cohort. Completion total thyroidectomy to enable adjuvant radioactive iodine would have been recommended in 29/149 (19.5%) patients preoperatively eligible for lobectomy. Despite the tightened regulations for radioactive iodine, about 20% of patients with apparently "low-risk" well-differentiated thyroid cancer who are eligible for lobectomy may need completion total thyroidectomy because of pathologic findings for which radioactive iodine use is listed as considered or favored by the current guidelines.