ObjectiveTo detect the expression of Ki-67 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and investigate its clinical significance. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on PTC patients treated at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from August 2024 to February 2025. The relation between the Ki-67 expression in the postoperative pathological tissues and clinicopathologic features was analyzed. Additionally, the concordance of Ki-67 expression between the preoperative fine-needle aspiration samples and postoperative pathological tissues was evaluated by Bland-Altman analysis. The significance level was set at α=0.05. ResultsA total of 290 PTC patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. Patients with classical PTC, M1 classification, TNM stage Ⅳ, and those achieving thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression targets at one month postoperatively had higher Ki-67 expression than those with follicular variant PTC, M0 classification, TNM stages Ⅰ–Ⅲ, or inadequate TSH suppression (all P＜0.05). No significant differences were observed in other subgroups (P>0.05). Furthermore, Bland-Altman analysis of 27 paired samples showed a mean bias of 1.269% between preoperative and postoperative measurements. Elevated variability occurred in high Ki-67 cases, with 11.1% (3/27) exceeding ±6% limits of agreement. ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that Ki-67 expression correlates with malignant attributes including tumor aggression and advanced disease. It may serve as a prognostic biomarker for assessing malignant potential in PTC.
Objective To investigate the efficacy of fine needle aspiration-thyroglobulin (FNA-Tg) with colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (CGICA) on the assessment of lymph node metastasis during surgery in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. Methods Seventy-eight patients with PTC who underwent surgery in the Department of Thyroid Surgery of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from August to December 2019 were selected as the research objects, 289 neck lymph node specimens cleaned during the operation were prepared into eluent after lymph node FNA within 10 minutes in vitro, and then the FNA-Tg level was detected rapidly and quantitatively by CGICA. The specimen of washout fluid was labeled and sent to the laboratory for FNA-Tg detection by Roche electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The lymph nodes in the whole group were divided into central region group and lateral cervical region group according to their location. According to the long diameter of lymph nodes, they were divided into <5 mm group, 5–10 mm group and >10 mm group. With postoperative pathological report as the gold standard, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the whole group of data subjects was drawn, and the area under curve (AUC) was compared to calculate the best cut-off value of FNA-Tg in diagnosing PTC lymph node metastasis. The sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of FNA-Tg CGICA method and Roche method in the whole group and different subgroups were compared. The data of 55 lymph nodes detected by FNA-Tg CGICA method and rapid frozen pathology were collected, and the diagnostic efficacy indexes of CGICA method and rapid frozen pathology in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis were compared. Results The ROC curves AUC of FNA-Tg detected by CGICA method and Roche method was 0.850 and 0.883, respectively, the difference was not statistically significant (Z=1.011, P>0.05). The sensitivity was 77.7% and 79.6% respectively (χ2=0.05, P>0.05), specificity was 84.9% and 93.5% respectively (χ2=7.50, P<0.05). Using McNemar test, there was no significant difference in the diagnostic results between the CGICA method and Roche method of FNA-Tg in the whole group (P>0.05). The diagnostic efficacy of FNA-Tg CGICA method was better in the lateral cervical region group than that in the central region group, and the diagnostic efficacy of the group with the long diameter of lymph nodes >10 mm was better than those of the groups with the long diameter of lymph nodes <5 mm and 5–10 mm. There was no significant difference in diagnostic results between FNA-Tg CGICA method and rapid frozen pathology (P>0.05). Conclusions The FNA-Tg CGICA method has high value in diagnosing PTC cervical lymph node metastasis, and has the characteristics of rapidity and convenience. The diagnostic efficiency is similar to that of Roche method.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and diabetes mellitus (DM), and to provide basis for individualized diagnosis and treatment.MethodsThe patients who underwent the first thyroid surgery in the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 1, 2017 to September 15, 2020 and were pathologically diagnosed as PTC were collected. According to the presence or absence of DM, the clinical features were compared.ResultsThere were 2859 patients without DM and 133 patients with DM in 2992 patients. In patients with or without DM, there were no differences in lymph node metastasis, multiple, bilateral tumors, and extrathyroid invasion between the two groups (P>0.05). However, compared with the PTC patients without DM, the proportion of women with DM was lower (58.65% versus 76.71%, P<0.01), the proportions of age >55 years old (92.48% versus 66.32%, P<0.01) and capsule invasion (67.21% versus 63.11%, P=0.04) with DM were higer. After adjusting for age and gender, the multivariate analysis showed that the risks of larger tumor and capsular invasion in the patients with DM was 1.51 times [95%CI (1.06, 2.16), P=0.02] and 1.75 times [95%CI (1.16, 2.64), P<0.01] respectively as compared with in the patients without DM.ConclusionsIn PTC patients with DM, proportion of women is lower, proportions of elderly population (age >55 years old) and patients with capsular invasion are higer, tumor is larger. Therefore, patients with DM must not neglect regular examination of thyroid morphology and function, and PTC patients should also pay attention to control of blood glucose.
In recent years, with the improvement of the sensitivity of examination equipment and the change of people's living environment and diet, the rate of thyroid cancer has risen rapidly, which has increased nearly five folds in 10 years. The pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, biological behavior, treatment and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma of different pathological types are obviously different. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) can develop at any age, which accounts for about 90% of thyroid cancer. It progresses slowly and has favourable prognosis, but lymph node metastasis appears easily. Whether PTC is accompanied by lymph node metastasis has an important impact on its prognosis and outcome. The Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B(BRAF)gene mutation plays a crucial role in PTC lymph node metastasis. Having an in-depth understanding of the specific role and mechanism of BRAF gene mutation in PTC is expected to provide new ideas for diagnosis and treatment of PTC.
Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of Notch-1 protein in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tissues and cervical lymph node metastases. Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of Notch-1 protein in 69 cases of PTC tissues, along with tumor adjacent tissues and 34 cases of metastatic lymph node tissues, and to analyze its role in PTC and metastatic lymph node tissue. Results Compared with PTC tissues or cervical lymph node metastases and tumor adjacent tissues, the positive rates of expression of Notch-1 protein in PTC tissues or cervical lymph node metastases were significantly lower than that in cancer adjacent tissues (P＜0.05). The expression of Notch-1 protein was correlated with the tumor size and capsule invasion of patients with PTC. Conclusions Notch-1 protein expression is decreased in PTC tissues and metastatic lymph node tissues, suggesting that the Notch-1 protein may play an important role in the development, invasion and metastasis of PTC. There is no significant difference in the positive rates of Notch-1 protein expression in PTC tissues and metastatic lymph node tissues, it's suggested that the malignant degree of cancer cells in lymph node metastasis is not significantly increased, and the biological behavior remained relatively stable.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between family history of malignant tumor (FHOMT) and clinicopathological features of patients with sporadic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and to provide basis for individualized diagnosis and treatment.MethodsPatients admitted to the department of breast and thyroid surgery in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 1, 2017 to September 30, 2019 for thyroid surgery for the first time and pathologically diagnosed as PTC were collected. According to the presence or absence of FHOMT, tumor type and family member type, their clinicopathological features were compared.ResultsIn 2 123 patients, there were 1 932 patients without FHOMT and 191 patients with FHOMT. The most common FHOMT was the family history of lung cancer (1.80%). Compared with PTC patients without FHOMT, PTC patients with FHOMT had a later onset age (P=0.000), a lower proportion of central lymph node metastasis (P=0.004), and a lower ratio of capsule invasion (P=0.021). PTC patients with respiratory-related FHOMT had a later onset age (P=0.000). PTC patients with male first-degree relatives had a later onset age (P=0.000). And PTC patients whose first-degree relatives were female had a lower proportion of central lymph node metastasis (P=0.007).ConclusionThere are differences in onset age, central lymph node metastasis and capsule invasion between PTC patients with and without FHOMT.
ObjectiveTo study the correlation of lymph node metastasis and recurrence with body mass index (BMI) and estrogen receptor (ER) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).MethodThe relevant literatures were retrieved in the past six years through the CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, CBM, PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, etc. databases for meta-analysis of relationship of lymph node metastasis and recurrence of PTC with BMI or ER and its subtypes.ResultsThe meta-analysis showed that the lymph node metastasis of PTC was associated with the BMI and ERα [OR=1.27, 95% CI (1.12, 1.42), P<0.000 1; OR=2.68, 95% CI (1.86, 3.86), P<0.000 01, respectively ], and which not associated with the ER and ERβ [OR=0.87, 95% CI (0.56, 1.35), P=0.53; OR=1.22, 95% CI (0.78,1.89), P=0.39, respectively ]. The ERα was associated with the PTC recurrence [OR=1.87, 95% CI (1.04, 3.35), P=0.04 ], but the BMI was not the risk factor for the recurrence of PTC [OR=1.187 1, 95% CI (0.930 0, 1.515 3), P=0.17 ].ConclusionsAlthough BMI was not found to be associated with PTC recurrence, high BMI promotes PTC metastasis, so lymph node dissection in obese patients should be more careful and comprehensive. Positive ERα increases risk of lymph node metastasis and recurrence of PTC, which can be used as a negative factor in evaluating prognosis of PTC and provide a new idea for endocrine therapy of PTC.
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in patients with clinically negative lymph node (cN0 stage) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).MethodsThe clinicopathological data of 250 patients with cN0 PTC who underwent thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection (CLND) in Department of General Surgery of Xuzhou Central Hospital from June 2016 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The influencing factors of CLNM in patients with cN0 PTC were analyzed by univariate analysis and binary logistic regression, and then R software was used to establish a nomogram prediction model, receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the differentiation degree of the model, and Bootstrap method was used for internal verification to evaluate the calibration degree of the model.ResultsCLNM occurred in 147 of 250 patients with cN0 PTC, with an incidence of 58.8%. Univariate analysis showed that multifocal, bilateral, tumor diameter, and age were correlated with CLNM (P<0.01). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that multifocal, bilateral tumors, age≥45 years old, and tumor diameter>1 cm were independent risk factors for CLNM in patients with cN0 PTC (P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram prediction model established on this basis was 0.738, and the calibration prediction curve in the calibration diagram fitted well with the ideal curve.ConclusionsCLNM is more likely to occur in PTC. The nomogram model constructed in this study can be used as an auxiliary means to predict CLNM in clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and sma and mad homologue 4 (Smad4) and their clinicopathological features in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).MethodsEighty patients with PTC confirmed by pathology in the Pingdingshan Second People’s Hospital from March 2018 to March 2020 were selected as the research objects, the cancer tissues and adjacent tissues removed during surgery were collected. The mRNA expression levels of BMP4 and Smad4 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The correlation between BMP4 and Smad4 mRNA expression levels was analyzed by Pearson method. The expressions of BMP4 and Smad4 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between the expressions of BMP4 and Smad4 protein and clinicopathological features of PTC was analyzed.ResultsThe mRNA expression levels of BMP4 and Smad4 in PTC tissues were lower than those in adjacent tissues (P<0.05). Pearson analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between expressions of BMP4 mRNA and Smad4 mRNA in PTC cancer (r=0.660, P<0.05). BMP4 and Smad4 protein were localized in cytoplasm, and the cytoplasm was stained yellow or brown yellow. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression positive rate of BMP4 in cancer tissues of PTC patients was lower than that in adjacent tissues (18.8% vs 97.5%, χ2=101.916, P<0.05), and the expression positive rate of Smad4 protein in cancer tissues of PTC patients was also lower than that in adjacent tissues (11.3% vs 93.8%, χ2=109.173, P<0.05). The expressions of BMP4 and Smad4 protein in PTC patients were correlated with the tumor size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, degree of infiltration and multiple foci (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe expression levels of BMP4 mRNA and Smad4 mRNA in PTC tissues are decreased, and the expression of BMP4 protein and Smad4 protein are closely related to tumor size, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis, which may be used as new therapeutic targets.
ObjectiveTo compare the differences of curative effect, cosmetic effect, and shoulder-neck function protection effect between video-assisted lateral neck dissection (VALND) and traditional open thyroid surgery (OTS) in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with lateral cervical lymph node metastasis. MethodsFifty patients with unilateral PTC accompanied by ipsilateral cervical lymph node metastasis who underwent sternal incision approach VALND at Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University and Pudong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from January 2013 to December 2019 were collected. And 100 patients with unilateral PTC and ipsilateral cervical lymph node metastasis who underwent OTS during the same period were randomly selected at a ratio of 1∶2 using the random number method. All patients underwent unilateral thyroid lobectomy (or total thyroid lobectomy) + isthmus resection + central area (zone Ⅵ) and cervical lymph node dissection on the affected side (zones Ⅱ–Ⅴ). The therapeutic effect was compared between the two groups. ResultsCompare to OTS group, the operation time of VALND group was longer ［(218.3±86.6) min vs. (185.7±42.8) min, P=0.002］, but the hospital stay was shortened ［(6.1±2.2) d vs. (7.3±1.6) d, P<0.001］. In terms of surgical efficacy, there were no statistically significant differences between VALND group and OTS group in the number of lymph node dissections, the number of lymph node metastases, and the postoperative tumor recurrence rate (P>0.05). As for surgical safety, the two groups had similar rates of postoperative complications including recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hypoparathyroidism, postoperative hematoma and infection(P>0.05). In terms of postoperative recovery, the scar color, vascular distribution, thickness, and softness, as well as in shoulder stiffness, tightness, pain, and numbness scores of VALND group were significantly lower than those in OTS group (P<0.05). ConclusionsFor PTC patients with lateral cervical lymph node metastasis, there is no significant difference in surgical efficacy and safety between VALND and OTS. However, VALND shows obvious advantages in reducing the length of cervical incisions, improving cosmetic effects, and protecting cervical and shoulder functions. Therefore, VALND through the sternal notch approach has certain promotion and application value in clinical practice.