Nuclear Features Of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Research Articles

Significance of Combined Immuno-histochemical Expression of P63 & CD56 in Papillary and Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma

Background: Thyroid neoplasm is the commonest endocrine neoplasm. More than 80% of thyroid malignancies are papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) followed by follicular carcinoma (FC). The diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma is based on characteristic nuclear morphology of a thyroid neoplasm. In contrast, follicular variant of PTC may cause, if the nuclear features of PTC are insufficiently appreciated, severe problems in differentiating from follicular thyroid carcinoma. Several immunohistochemical (IHC) markers such as P63 and CD56 have been recommended to differentiate between this two thyroid malignancies with overlapping histomorphology. Objectives: Our aim was to identify the possible diagnostic role of P63 and CD56 immunoexpression that distinguish PTC, including the follicular variant from follicular thyroid carcinoma. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Rajshahi Medical College from March 2020 to February 2022. A total of 44 cases, histologically confirmed as papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma were included in the study. Immunohistochemistry was done for P63 and CD56 from selected paraffin blocks. Results: Histologically, 39 cases were diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma (27 were classical PTC & 12 were FVPTC) and the rest 5 were follicular thyroid carcinoma. In this study, mean age of the patients was 40.86 ± 6.57 years (SD) and male to female ratio was 1:2.4. P63 showed 74.4% positivity with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Positive immunoreactivity of P63 was highly significant in distinguishing papillary from follicular thyroid carcinoma (P=0.003). Combined P63 positive CD56 negative (P=0.048) and P63 negative CD56 negative immunoexpression (P=0.039) were statistically significant in differentiating papillary from follicular thyroid carcinoma. Conclusion: This study suggested that the use of P63 and CD56 may be helpful in the diagnosis of papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma along with histopathological examination and their combination may also help in this purpose.

Papillae, psammoma bodies, and/or many nuclear pseudoinclusions are helpful criteria but should not be required for a definitive cytologic diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma: An institutional experience of 207 cases with surgical follow up.

Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like features (NIFTP) was introduced in 2016 replacing noninvasive follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, with recommendations to label them "noncancer." To avoid reducing risk of malignancy (ROM) and overdiagnosing NIFTP as malignant, some authors required restricted cytologic criteria (RC) for a definitive diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), including papillae, psammoma bodies. or≥3 nuclear pseudoinclusions. Since then, NIFTP criteria have been revised, biologic behavior better understood, and incidence reported to be much lower than initially anticipated. This study examines the impact of RC on PTC cytologic diagnoses, ROM, and detection of clinically significant carcinomas (CSC). A total of 207 thyroid FNAs originally diagnosed as PTC and suspicious for PTC (SPTC) with surgical follow-up were evaluated. RC were retrospectively applied to cases as a requirement for diagnosing PTC, and cases that did not meet RC were reclassified as SPTC. ROMs and diagnostic accuracies of pre- and post-RC diagnoses were correlated with followup CSC. RC were met in 118/142 (83%) and 20/65 (31%) of cases originally diagnosed as PTC and SPTC, respectively. Post-RC, 29% (19/65) of CSC originally diagnosed as SPTC were upgraded to PTC, and 17% (24/142) of CSC originally diagnosed as PTC were downgraded to SPTC. No NIFTPs were diagnosed as malignant. RC should not be required for a definitive diagnosis of PTC when other nuclear features of PTC are diffuse and overt. Applying RC, however, helps the pathologist arrive at a more definitive diagnosis of PTC in suspicious cases.

SAT550 Warthin-like Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: An Even Rarer Presentation

Abstract Disclosure: J. Kunadia: None. S. Chablani: None. Introduction: We present a rare case of Warthin-like variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (WLPTC) with later development of a second primary malignancy. Clinical Case: A 56 year old female with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ulcerative colitis, asthma, and a strong family history of cancer presented in 2017 for evaluation of an enlarged thyroid gland noted by her primary care provider. Patient was asymptomatic and denied prior thyroid disease and head or neck radiation. Labs demonstrated normal TSH and free T4 levels. TPO antibodies were elevated to 1,155 IU/mL (reference range 0.0 – 5.5 IU/mL). Thyroid US was notable for a diffusely enlarged thyroid gland containing a 1.4 x 0.6 x 1.0 cm solid, hypoechoic nodule without calcifications in the upper pole of the right lobe. Shared decision-making resulted in a plan for continued surveillance. Repeat thyroid US in 2018 demonstrated that this nodule had increased in volume by 56.25%, now measuring 1.4 x 0.75 x 1.25 cm. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy was performed and positive for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Patient underwent total thyroidectomy; pathology revealed a 1.2 x 1 x 0.9 cm WLPTC and 0.2 cm papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. There was no evidence of extrathyroidal extension, angioinvasion, or lymph node involvement. Follow-up neck US in 2020 demonstrated a 0.4 cm hypoechoic ovoid structure in the left thyroid bed and an enlarged but morphologically normal-appearing right level II lymph node. Repeat neck US in 2021 showed the appearance of a new 2.8 cm right level II lymph node; FNA was positive for malignancy with negative thyroid transcription factor-1 staining and undetectable thyroglobulin. Patient underwent an excision biopsy of the lymph node, and pathology was consistent with metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). A right submandibular gland lesion detected on subsequent MRI head and neck was resected and confirmed to be the primary source of ACC. Patient was treated with adjuvant radiation therapy with adequate response to therapy. Conclusion: WLPTC is a rare subtype of PTC that accounts for 0.2-1.9% of cases and carries a strong association with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is histologically characterized by papillary architecture, oncocytic changes, nuclear features of PTC, and dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the papillary cores. WLPTC is considered to have a favorable prognosis given its low frequency of lymphovascular invasion and low recurrence risk. This case also highlights the importance of keeping a broad differential when evaluating new findings on neck US in patients with a history of thyroid cancer. Metastases to cervical lymph nodes most commonly occur from head and neck tumors. However, to date, only one other case of PTC with second primary malignancy of salivary ACC has been reported. Presentation Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023

Progression of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma to Anaplastic Carcinoma in Metastatic Lymph Nodes: Solid/Insular Growth and Hobnail Cell Change in Lymph Nodes Are Predictors of Subsequent Anaplastic Transformation

Most anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATCs) arise from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This process is also called anaplastic transformation, and the morphological harbingers of this phenomenon in nodal recurrence have not been assessed systematically. For this reason, the current study focused on features of 10 PTCs with regional lymph node recurrence that was accompanied with disease progression due to anaplastic transformation in at least one of the nodal recurrences. The findings of additional 19 PTCs which recurred without anaplastic transformation after ≥ 10 years of follow-up served as the control group. There were no clinicopathological differences between the two groups at initial surgery including age, gender, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, extrathyroidal extension, histologic subtype, and treatment. The median time from the initial thyroid surgery to anaplastic transformation in the nodal recurrence was 106 months (range 6 to 437 months). Mutational analyses showed recurrent PTCs with anaplastic transformation had a high prevalence of BRAFV600E mutation (8/9) and TERT promoter mutation (9/9), both of which were detected in primary tumors. PIK3CAH1047R mutation was detected in one case. No case had RAS mutation. Nineteen recurrent PTCs without anaplastic transformation harbored BRAFV600E mutation and seventeen of these had TERT promoter mutation. Unlike primary tumors with subsequent nodal anaplastic transformation, TERT promoter mutation was only present in the metastatic nodal recurrence from 4 patients without transformation. No patients had neither high-grade features (necrosis and increased mitotic activity) nor solid/insular growth or hobnail cell features in their primary tumors. In the group of patients with transformation, 3 had solid/insular growth in the lymph node metastasis at the time of primary tumor resection (one displaying nuclear features of PTC and solid growth with increased mitotic activity, one with insular component consistent with poorly differentiated carcinoma component, and one displaying nuclear features of PTC and solid growth), and additional 2 patients had solid/insular growth with no high-grade features or poorly differentiated carcinoma component at the time of subsequent nodal recurrence prior to anaplastic transformation. Hobnail cell features were exclusively seen in subsequent metastatic lymph nodes prior to anaplastic transformation. The control group lacked solid/insular growth and hobnail cell features in the metastatic nodal disease. Aberrant p53 expression and loss of TTF-1 featured tumor components with anaplastic transformation. This series identified a subset of recurrent PTCs with TERT promoter mutation was prone to undergo anaplastic transformation, and that solid/insular growth and hobnail cell features were morphological predictors of anaplastic transformation in the nodal recurrence.

Lymphatic endothelial cancerization in papillary thyroid carcinoma: hidden evidence of lymphatic invasion.

We hypothesize that cystic structures in metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) develop along the framework of lymphatic channels. To investigate this phenomenon, different categories of PTC were immunostained for D2-40 and TTF1. In this study, reactivity for D2-40 was considered as positive when there is membranous staining as often seen in lymphatic endothelial cells. Thirty cases of PTC with lymph node metastasis or with potential for lymphatic invasion and 20 cases metastatic PTC in lymph nodes were reviewed and found to show double/mosaic immunoreactivity for TTF1/D2-40 in 40-100% of cases. PTC metastasis in lymph nodes with cysts and some branching lymphatic-like channels lined by follicular cells with or without nuclear features of PTC were diffusely reactive to TTF1, and focally to D2-40. For primary and metastatic PTC, focal membranous D2-40 reactivity was also demonstrated in cysts or cleft linings. For25 thyroid neoplasms with no known potential for lymphatic invasion, there was no such immunoreactivity. The mosaic or double immunoreactivity for TTF1/D2-40 suggests lymphatic cancerization and possible endothelial mimicry of follicular cells. Mosaic/double immunoreactivity is helpful to detect the hidden pattern of lymphatic invasion masquerading as 'benign-appearing' follicles and supports our hypothesis of malignant cells developing along the lymphatic framework.

Abstract 1191: Somatic mutation profiling of the follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer.

Abstract Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy and it accounts for the largest fraction of endocrine cancer-related deaths. The accurate classification of well-differentiated thyroid tumors remains a significant challenge that impacts prognosis and therapeutic choices for patients. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) are the most common and the best characterized types of thyroid cancer, being diagnosed in approximately 80% and 15% of patients, respectively. Follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is, after classical PTC, the most commonly diagnosed subtype of PTC, accounting for 9% to 22% of PTC cases. FVPTC exhibits some nuclear features of PTC but has a follicular growth pattern. Diagnosis of FVPTC presents a great challenge to pathologists, as these tumors can have distinct prognoses with variable clinical implications. While the incidence/diagnosis of FVPTC is growing in the U.S., the genetic characteristics of the disease remain poorly understood, and there is a need for complementary molecular assays that can help discriminate between the more benign forms of FVPTC and those that will exhibit an aggressive clinical course. In this study, we performed molecular analysis of 101 FVPTC archival surgical specimens using the SNaPshot multiplexed targeted sequencing platform, to interrogate 90 genetic loci frequently mutated in 21 cancer genes, including the BRAF, HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, PIK3CA and CTNNB1 (β-catenin) oncogenes commonly altered in thyroid cancer. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) of cDNA obtained from the same tumors was used to test for the presence of RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 gene rearrangements found in PTC, and for PAX8-PPARγ gene fusions characteristic of FTC. We detected mutually exclusive genetic aberrations in 68 (67%) FVTPC. These included 25 (25%) BRAF V600E mutations, 26 (26%) mutations in NRAS (22 Q61R and 4 Q61K), 13 (13%) mutations in HRAS (9 Q61R, 3 Q61K, and 1 G13R) and 3 (3%) KRAS G12V mutations. We identified one (1%) single case of PAX8-PPARγ gene rearrangement and no RET/PTC gene fusions. Patient medical records and tumor histopathological characteristics will be retrospectively reviewed to determine whether the FVPTC genotype is significantly associated with clinicopathological features of diagnostic and prognostic importance that could help inform therapeutic decisions for this commonly diagnosed endocrine tumor. Citation Format: Dora Dias-Santagata, David G. McFadden, Lindsay A. Bernardo, Kerry D. Lynch, A. John Iafrate, Peter M. Sadow, Gilbert H. Daniels. Somatic mutation profiling of the follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1191. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1191

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Tall Cell Variant

The most common of the aggressive variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the tall cell variant (TCV). Because there are serious prognostic and management implications to a diagnosis of TCV, we review the entity to inform clinicians about the many facets of TCV. The TCV of PTC is characterized by cells having the nuclear features of PTC and whose height is at least twice or thrice their width. There is disagreement regarding the proportion of tall cells and the cell height required to diagnose TCV. In view of its blurred definition and rarity, studies have shown that TCV is still underdiagnosed. We propose that PTC be diagnosed as TCV if it is composed of > or =50% tall cells. The latter should have a height that is at least twice their width, an eosinophilic cytoplasm, and the nuclear features of PTC. Whatever its definition, there is a consensus that TCV has a higher recurrence and death rate than classical PTC. Most authorities believe that TCV's worse prognosis is related to its older age at presentation, larger tumor size, and high frequency of extrathyroid extension (ETE). However, in a recent article, TCV without ETE was shown to have a more aggressive behavior than classical PTC without ETE independent of age, gender, and tumor size. The aggressive behavior of TCV could be related to the high expression of Muc1 and matrix metalloproteinase and to the higher prevalence of B-RAF mutations when compared to classical PTC. The importance of TCV is accentuated by the fact that it is overrepresented in those fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomogram (FDG-PET)-positive thyroid carcinomas that are refractory to radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy constituting 20% of these incurable tumors. TCV is a biologically and clinically aggressive form of PTC that is still underdiagnosed. TCV is overrepresented in patients with RAI refractory disease. It has a high prevalence of B-RAF mutations making the latter an attractive target in RAI refractory cases. Imaging modalities that can detect RAI refractory disease such as FDG-PET scanning are needed in many patients and a requirement in those with extensive ETE. More studies are needed to identify those TCV that become RAI refractory and develop effective target therapies against these incurable carcinomas.

Lack of BRAF mutations in hyalinizing trabecular neoplasm

The hyalinizing trabecular neoplasm (HTN) of the thyroid is an unusual and controversial lesion. Some consider it a peculiar type of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) because of its nuclear features and presence of psammoma bodies. Others consider it an adenoma. Molecular studies have found RET/PTC translocations in some examples, supporting HTN as a PTC; however mutations in BRAF (another marker for PTC) have not been found.We report two cases of classic HTN and a case of trabecular PTC and show BRAF mutations in the latter and not in HTN. Trabecular growth pattern is insufficient for a diagnosis of HTN and lesions with such a pattern and nuclear features of PTC are cancers. Morphologically classic HTN are not associated with metastatic potential and should be considered adenomas.

Hybrid thyroid carcinoma with a coarse chromatin pattern and nuclear features of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Hybrid follicular carcinoma (FC) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have not been previously well described. Consecutive cases of 29 FC, 12 Hurthle cell carcinomas (HC), 247 PTC and 13 Hurthle cell PTC (HPTC) were reviewed with special attention to the coarse (CC) and fine chromatin patterns (FIC), as well as to the presence of nuclear grooves, pseudoinclusions or optically clear appearance. Limited nuclear features of PTC (LNF-PTC) are defined as areas of tumor with FIC in addition to some other nuclear features, but insufficient for the diagnosis of PTC. Tumors with nuclei showing an admixture of CC and PTC or LNFPTC were submitted for immunostaining for cytokeratin 19, HBME and Ret/PTC. FC and HC contained areas of LNFPTC in 25 tumors and focal PTC in 3 tumors. None of these cases was associated with lymph node metastasis. Areas with CC were found in 54 PTC and 3 HPTC. The rates of vascular invasion and distant metastasis tended to be higher for PTC with areas of coarse chromatin pattern than for PTC without such areas; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Immunoreactivity for cytokeratin 19 and HBME was moderate to strong for PTC and focal areas of PTC or LNFPTC in FC without Hurthle cell changes. Ret/PTC immunostaining was positive in areas of LNFPTC or focal PTC in three FC. Focal PTC or areas of LNFPTC are frequently seen in FC. Likewise, areas of CC are often present in PTC. The presence of these focal areas does not appear to change the clinical behavior of the tumor and therefore does not warrant a change of nomenclature.

Ret oncogene protein expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma and related lesions.

Activation of Ret oncogenes, particularly Ret/PTC, has been identified in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the immunostaining pattern of Ret oncogene protein in PTC and nodular non-PTC lesions with a fine chromatin pattern. Ninety-three PTC and 139 nodular non-PTC lesions were microscopically reviewed to identify the nuclear changes of "limited nuclear features of PTC" (focal nuclear grooves, nuclear inclusions or optically clear nuclei) and areas of infiltrating carcinoma (IC) and were submitted for immunostaining with Ret oncogene protein antiserum. Immunoreactivity for Ret protein ranged from negative in follicular adenoma (FA) with a coarse chromatin pattern, to negative or weak reactivity in FA with a fine chromatin pattern, to strong reactivity in PTC with areas of infiltrating carcinoma (IC). In FA with fine chromatin, FA and follicular carcinoma (FC) containing an admixture of areas of coarse and fine chromatin, areas with nuclear changes with "limited nuclear features of PTC" displayed varying degrees of immunoreactivity. The intensity of immunostaining varied with the degree of nuclear change. The noninvasive component of PTC with IC usually showed more extensive and stronger reactivity than PTC without IC. PTCs with and without IC were associated with a rate of lymph node metastasis of 48% and 3%, respectively. The expression of Ret oncogenes (Ret/PTC, other unknown variants or wild type) is focally or extensively present in all PTC with IC. The degree of immunoreactivity is likely to be proportional to the potential for lymph node metastasis of PTC. In the context of this study and due to the specificity of Ret oncogenes, it is likely that nodular non-PTC lesions with a fine chromatin pattern and focal positive reactivity for Ret oncogene represent PTC-related lesions.