Lateral Lymph Node Metastasis In Patients Research Articles

A nomogram for predicting lateral lymph node metastasis in cN0 unifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

BackgroundIdentifying risk factors for occult lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) can provide valuable insights into the necessity of lateral neck dissection (LND). The objective of this study was to develop a nomogram for predicting the probability of LLNM in patients with cN0 unifocal PTMC.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analyzed a total of 4872 patients with cN0 unifocal PTMC who were treated at our center from January 2013 to June 2018. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for LLNM, and a nomogram was constructed based on these risk factors.ResultsThe rate of LLNM was 3.2%. Tumors located in the upper lobe(odds ratio [OR] = 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.80–3.62; p < 0.001) and size greater than 7 mm (OR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.85–3.62; p < 0.001) had a significantly higher risk of LLNM compared to tumors in the lower or middle lobe and size less than or equal to 7 mm. Tumors with extrathyroidal extension (ETE) had a significantly higher risk of LLNM (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.01–1.99; p = 0.044). The presence of three or more central lymph node metastases (CLNMs) (OR = 5.84, 95% CI 3.83–8.93; p < 0.001) or one or two CLNMs (OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.93–4.42; p < 0.001) also increased the risk of LLNM compared to having no CLNMs. A nomogram incorporating these risk factors was developed, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.777, indicating a high degree of predictive accuracy.ConclusionTumor location in the upper lobe, greater than 7 mm in size, ETE, and CLNMs, especially three or more, were independent risk factors for LLNM in cN0 unifocal PTMC. The nomogram based on these factors exhibited favorable predictive value and consistency.

Nomograms for Prediction of High-Volume Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients.

The coexistence rate between chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is quite high. Whether CLT influences metastatic lymph nodes remains uncertain. High-volume lymph node metastasis is recommended as an unfavorable pathological feature. We aimed to investigate risk factors for high-volume central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in PTC patients. Retrospective cohort study. Changzhou First People's Hospital. Clinicopathological characteristics of 1094 PTC patients who underwent surgery in our center from January 2019 to November 2021 were analyzed. The number of metastatic lymph nodes in the central compartment and lateral compartment were lower in the CLT group. We demonstrated that age, BRAF V600E, shape, and the number of foci were risk factors for high-volume CLNM in patients with CLT. For patients without CLT, sex, age, tumor size, number of foci, and margin were risk factors for high-volume CLNM. Tumor size, number of foci, location, and CLNM were all risk factors for high-volume LLNM in patients with or without CLT. Body mass index was only associated with high-volume LLNM in CLT patients. All the above factors were incorporated into nomograms, which showed perfect discriminative ability. Separate predictive systems should be used for CLT and non-CLT patients for a more accurate clinical assessment of lymph node status. Our nomograms of predicting high-volume CLNM and LLNM could facilitate risk-stratified management of PTC recurrence and treatment decisions.

A retrospective study of papillary thyroid carcinoma: Hashimoto's thyroiditis as a protective biomarker for lymph node metastasis

PurposeThere is approximately 10%–50% of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). In this research, we sought to better understand the role of HT in PTC progression as well as lymph node metastasis. MethodsIt is a retrospective and cross-sectional study, and 4131 PTC patients who underwent thyroidectomy were finally enrolled. Chi-square test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to evaluate both the risk factors and the critical roles of HT during PTC metastasis. ResultIn this cohort, 1555 patients (37.6%) were diagnosed with HT. According to multivariate analysis, male sex, high levels of TG and TPOAb, tumor extrathyroidal extension, maximum diameter >1 cm, and multifocality were independent risk factors for both central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM). In addition, age <55 years and smoking were risk factors for CLNM, while CLNM was one of the risk factors for LLNM. Furthermore, HT was suggested a valuable protective factor for both CLNM and LLNM. In patients with HT, the total number of central lymph nodes was higher, while the positive rate was lower. Compared with those without HT, age and sex did not predict CLNM and LLNM in patients with HT. ConclusionHT is considered a protective factor for both CLNM and LLNM in PTC. For patients with HT, surgeons should pay more attention to the preservation of parathyroid gland and the protection of recurrent laryngeal nerve due to less lymph node metastasis. Otherwise, radical operation is highly recommended.

A comparative analysis of eight machine learning models for the prediction of lateral lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) is a contributor for poor prognosis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). We aimed to develop and validate machine learning (ML) algorithms-based models for predicting the risk of LLNM in these patients. This is retrospective study comprising 1236 patients who underwent initial thyroid resection at our institution between January 2019 and March 2022. All patients were randomly split into the training dataset (70%) and the validation dataset (30%). Eight ML algorithms, including the Logistic Regression, Gradient Boosting Machine, Extreme Gradient Boosting, Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree, Neural Network, Support Vector Machine and Bayesian Network were used to evaluate the risk of LLNM. The performance of ML models was evaluated by the area under curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and decision curve analysis. Among the eight ML algorithms, RF had the highest AUC (0.975), with sensitivity and specificity of 0.903 and 0.959, respectively. It was therefore used to develop as prediction model. The diagnostic performance of RF algorithm was dependent on the following nine top-rank variables: central lymph node ratio, size, central lymph node metastasis, number of foci, location, body mass index, aspect ratio, sex and extrathyroidal extension. By combining clinical and sonographic characteristics, ML algorithms can achieve acceptable prediction of LLNM, of which the RF model performs best. ML algorithms can help clinicians to identify the risk probability of LLNM in PTC patients.

Construction and Validation of a Prediction Model for Identifying Clinical Risk Factors of Lateral Lymph Node Metastasis in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

PurposeMedullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare but highly invasive malignancy, especially in terms of cervical lymph node metastasis. However, the role of prophylactic lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) is still controversial. We hereby aim to explore the risk factors of lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in patients with MTC to guide clinical practice.Patients and MethodsThe clinicopathological characteristics of patients with MTC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were reviewed and analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistics regression analyses were used to screen the risk factors of LLNM in patients with MTC.ResultsFour variables, including male gender, multifocality, extrathyroidal invasion (EI), and large tumor size (all p < 0.05), were identified as potential independent factors of LLNM in patients with MTC. Based on these results, an individualized prediction model was subsequently developed with a satisfied C-index of 0.798, supported by both internal and external validation with a C-index of 0.816 and 0.896, respectively. We also performed the decision curve analysis (DCA) and calibration curve, which indicated a remarkable agreement in our model for predicting the risk of LLNM.ConclusionWe determined that various clinical characteristics, male gender, multifocality, EI, and large tumor size, were significantly associated with LLNM in patients with MTC. Thus, a validated prediction model utilizing readily available variables was successfully established to help clinicians make individualized clinical decisions on MTC management, especially regarding whether the LLND is necessary for patients with clinical negative lateral lymph node involvement and the frequency of follow-up without LLND.

Combination of extramural venous invasion and lateral lymph node size detected with magnetic resonance imaging is a reliable biomarker for lateral lymph node metastasis in patients with rectal cancer

PurposePathological extramural venous invasion (EMVI) is defined as the active invasion of malignant cells into veins beyond the muscularis propria in colorectal cancer. It is associated with poor prognosis and increases the risk of disease recurrence. Specific findings on MRI (termed MRI-EMVI) are reportedly associated with pathological EMVI. In this study, we aimed to identify risk factors for lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis related to rectal cancer and to evaluate whether MRI-EMVI could be a new and useful imaging biomarker to help LLN metastasis diagnosis besides LLN size.MethodsWe investigated 67 patients who underwent rectal resection and LLN dissection for rectal cancer. We evaluated MRI-EMVI grading score and examined the relationship between MRI-EMVI and LLN metastasis.ResultsPathological LLN metastasis was detected in 18 cases (26.9%), and MRI-EMVI was observed in 32 cases (47.8%). Patients were divided into two cohorts, according to LLN metastasis. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that higher risk of LLN metastasis was significantly associated with MRI-EMVI (P = 0.0112) and a short lateral lymph node axis (≥ 5 mm) (P = 0.0002). The positive likelihood ratios of MRI-EMVI alone, LLN size alone, and the combination of both factors were 2.12, 4.84, and 16.33, respectively. Patients negative for both showed better 2-year relapse-free survival compared to other patients (84.4% vs. 62.1%, P = 0.0374).ConclusionsMRI-EMVI was a useful imaging biomarker for identifying LLN metastasis in patients with rectal cancer. The combination of MRI-EMVI and LLN size can improve diagnostic accuracy.

A Nomogram for Predicting Lateral Lymph Node Metastasis in Cases of Papillary Thyroid Micro-Carcinoma with Suspected Lymph Node Metastasis

The elevation for lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) plays an important role in therapeutic decision-making for thyroid carcinoma. A reliable forecasting model for LLNM in patients with papillary thyroid micro-carcinoma (PTMC) is needed, using clinicopathological characteristics. A total of 576 PTMC patients with suspicious lateral cervical lymph node (II, III, IV or V region) metastasis and known clinicopathological variables were randomly collected at Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital. Cervical lymph node status of every patient was assessed by ultrasonography (US). The patients in this cohort study underwent thyroidectomy and lateral neck lymph node dissection. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to screen out the predictive variables associated with LLNM, and a nomogram was constructed by integrating clinicopathological features collected in our study. The overall LLNM rate was 23.0% (133/576). After statistical analysis, central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis (PLNM), bilateral lesions, tumor location in thyroid (upper or lower), and gross extrathyroidal extension (ETE) were found to be independent predictive factors for LLNM (P < 0.01). The nomogram built to predict LLNM in PTMC patients passed the calibration step and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.967, which showed that the nomogram we used had a good predictive effect. The nomogram constructed in this study has a good predictive value for LLNM, which will help thyroid surgeons to make a more accurate surgical plan for patients with PTMC. A strict preoperative evaluation and total thyroidectomy and lateral neck dissection may be indicated when patients with PTMC have a high score.

Development and validation of web-based nomograms for predicting lateral lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and to develop two web-based nomograms that predict the probability of level-II and level-III/IV LLNM in these patients. The records of 653 patients with PTC were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with LLNM in 460 patients ("derivation group"). Two models [including and excluding the subregions of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM)] were used to predict the probability of level-II LLNM; the same two models were also used for level-III/IV LLNM. Model performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA) in 193 patients ("validation group"). Two web-based nomograms were established. Increased tumor size, a tumor in the upper lobe, and prelaryngeal and ipsilateral paratracheal lymph node metastasis (LNM) were significantly associated with level-II LNM (P<0.05). Increased tumor size, a tumor in the upper lobe, and certain subregions of CLNM were associated with level-III/IV LNM (P<0.05). Use of ROC analysis of each model indicated that including subgroups of CLNM led to better model performance than excluding these subgroups. We quantified the benefit of each model by using DCA analysis in the validation group. Our web-based nomograms provide quantification of risk for LLNM in patients with PTC before and during surgery.

Baseline MRI detected lateral lymph node as a prognostic factor: a cohort study in pN0 low-risk rectal cancer.

It is highly controversial that how to deal with the lateral lymph-node metastasis in patients with rectal cancer. Although lateral lymph node can be detected by preoperative MRI, the metastasis status cannot be accurately determined following standard total mesorectal excision (TME) in low-risk patients. This study was to assess the correlation between preoperative MRI detected lateral lymph-node (LLN) features and prognosis in patients with non-preradiated low recurrence risk rectal cancers. This retrospective study included 593 low-risk rectal cancers underwent TME without neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy from January 2013 to December 2015. The features of the largest LLN were retrospectively reviewed on preoperative MRI. The relationship of MR-LLN features with overall survival, metastasis-free survival, and local relapse-free survival was analyzed. A total of 593 patients including 415 cases of pN0, 86 cases of pN1, and 92 cases of pN2 were enrolled in this study. In pN0 patients, at least one visible LLN was detected in 104 patients on primary MRI. The MR-T staging, postoperative therapy status, the presence of MR-LLN, and short axis (SA) of MR-LLN were significantly correlated with the recurrence in pN0 patients (all p < 0.05). The OS and MFS were significantly lower in patients with MR-LLN SA ≥ 8mm than SA < 8mm (p < 0.01, HR = 4.35, 95% CI = 1.48-12.77). The OS and MFS of patients with pN0-LLN(+) and SA ≥ 8mm were similar to pN2-LLN(-) patients. The location of MR-LLN showed no significant impact on prognosis. For low-risk rectal cancers without neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, the presence of MR-LLN is associated with poor prognosis. The pN0-LLN(+) SA ≥ 8mm patients might be concerned as pN2 patients and receive more intensive neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment.

Real-Time PCR Cycle Threshold Values for the BRAFV600E Mutation in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma May Be Associated With Central Lymph Node Metastasis: A Retrospective Study.

Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) usually has excellent prognosis, but a small subset shows aggressive behavior. Although the B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF)V600E mutation is the most common oncogenic alteration in PTMCs, it is frequently heterogeneously distributed within tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the BRAFV600E mutation found in fine needle aspirates from PTMCs with known clinicopathologic prognostic factors, based on both its presence and a quantitative approach that uses cycle threshold (Ct) values obtained by a real-time PCR technique.The 460 PTMC patients were included, with 367 patients having the BRAFV600E mutation. Clinicopathologic variables were compared between patients with and without the BRAFV600E mutation. BRAFV600E Ct values were compared according to clinicopathologic prognostic factors. Multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate factors predicting extrathyroidal extension and central and lateral lymph node metastasis (LNM). Each analysis used either the BRAFV600E mutation status or the Ct value as an independent variable for all the study patients and the 367 BRAFV600E-positive patients. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of BRAFV600E Ct values in predicting central and lateral LNM.The BRAFV600E mutation status was not associated with clinicopathologic prognostic factors among the 460 PTMC patients. Of the 367 BRAFV600E-positive patients, Ct values were significantly lower in patients with central and lateral LNM (P < 0.001, P = 0.007). The Ct value was the only independent factor to predict central LNM (OR 0.918, P = 0.025). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for diagnosing central LNM was 0.623 (sensitivity, 50.0%; specificity, 71.9%) and for diagnosing lateral LNM, it was 0.796 (sensitivity, 71.4%; specificity, 94.7%).In conclusion, real-time PCR Ct values for the BRAFV600E mutation obtained from fine needle aspirates can be associated with central LNM in PTMC patients. Although BRAFV600E Ct values did not reach statistical significance for predicting lateral LNM in our study, further validation through larger studies can be used to overcome any possible type-II errors. With further studies, Ct values for the BRAFV600E mutation obtained from fine needle aspirates may have important implications for predicting both central and lateral LNM in patients with PTMCs.

Can increased tumoral vascularity be a quantitative predicting factor of lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma?

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical implications of the vascular index (VI) as a predicting factor for central and lateral lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). From January 2011 to October 2011, 588 patients (495 females, 93 males) who were diagnosed with PTMC were included. Clinicopathologic characteristics of patients and ultrasound (US) features of the lesions including VI were evaluated retrospectively. The VI was measured with QLAB 7.0 quantification software using preoperative Doppler US images. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to assess predictive factors of LNM. From 588 patients, 140 patients (23.8 %) had central LNM and 26 patients (4.4 %) had lateral LNM on pathologic results. The presence of lateral LNM [odds ratio (OR) 5.46; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 2.19-13.64], bilaterality (OR 2.16; 95 % CI 1.17-4.01), and increased tumor size (OR 1.15; 95 % CI 1.04-1.28) were significant independent factors for predicting central LNM. The presence of central LNM (OR 5.58; 95 % CI 2.22-14.04), upper third location of malignancy (OR 2.50; 95 % CI 1.01-6.21), and tumor size (OR 1.34; 95 % CI 1.03-1.73) were significant independent factors for predicting lateral LNM. However, the VI was not a significant predicting factor for both central and lateral LNM. Therefore, the VI of PTMC may not be useful for predicting central and lateral LNM in patients with PTMC.

Papillary Microcarcinoma of the Thyroid: Predicting Factors of Lateral Neck Node Metastasis

Preoperative prediction of lateral lymph node metastasis (LNM) is important to prevent recurrence; however, there are few published data in predicting factors of lateral LNM before surgery. The present study investigated the factors affecting LNM in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). A retrospective cohort study was conducted with data obtained from 671 patients with PTMC between 2004 and 2006. We reviewed the clinical, ultrasound (US), and pathology records of patients and analyzed the association between lateral LNM and clinical factors, US features of PTMC, and pathologic features. The rate of lateral LNM was 3.7% in 671 PTMCs. We found a statistically significant association between lateral LNM and US features of PTMC (upper pole location, contact of >25% with the adjacent capsule, and presence of calcifications), and pathologic features (central LNM) in multivariate analysis (P < .05). The odds ratios of statistically significant factors were 4.7 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.8-12.6), 10.8 (95% CI, 3.3-34.6), 4.8 (95% CI, 1.6-13.7), and 6.9 (95% CI, 2.4-20) at upper pole location, contact of >25% with the adjacent capsule, presence of calcifications on US, and pathologic central LNM, respectively. In patients with PTMC, independent factors in predicting lateral LNM were US features of PTMC (upper pole location, >25% contact with the adjacent capsule, and presence of calcifications) and pathologic features (central LNM). When these US features are detected on preoperative US, lateral neck nodes should be meticulously evaluated by a multimodal approach.