Analysis of malignancy predictors for follicular thyroid tumors

Background/Aim. Establishing a preoperative diagnosis of thyroid follicular tumors is difficult due to the fact that the cell morphology of adenomas and carcinomas are similar and that capsular and vascular invasion cannot be determined by cytology. We analyzed predictive factors of follicular carcinoma in order to enable a surgeon to indicate operative treatment and to perform an adequate operation for each patient with a follicular neoplasm. Methods. In this retrospective study, we analyzed medical records of all patients with follicular thyroid tumors operated at an endocrine surgery unit of a tertiary referral academic hospital, between 2008 and 2012. A total of 263 operated patients were included and divided into follicular adenomas (n = 97) and follicular carcinomas (n = 166) based on the histopathology results. The most important demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results. In adenoma group (19 males, 78 females) age range was 19?79, mean age 50. In carcinoma group (35 males, 131 females) age range was 15? 78, mean age 48. Univariate analysis showed that thyroglobulin concentration ? 500 ng/mL, tumor diameter < 30 mm, presence of more than one thyroid nodule and an afunctional/hypofunctional nodule were significantly more frequent in follicular carcinoma than in follicular adenoma. Independent predictive factors of malignancy were: elevated preoperative thyroglobulin concentration (? 500 ng/mL) and presence of more than one nodule. Based on our results we formed a nomogram, a two-dimensional diagram designed to enable estimation of preoperative probability of malignancy. Conclusion. Elevated preoperative thyroglobulin concentration, ? 500 ng/mL, and the presence of more than one nodule are independent predictors of malignancy for follicular thyroid carcinomas.

A Clinical Overview of Telomerase-Associated Aberrancies in Follicular Thyroid Tumors as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers: Tert Alert!

Background and Aims: Endocrine surgeons and pathologists alike are well aware of the diagnostic predicament that follicular thyroid tumors impose in the clinical setting, best exemplified by the current inability to preoperatively assess the malignant potential of each individual lesion. As the proper recognition of a follicular thyroid carcinoma lies in the histopathological identification of invasive behavior, preoperative cytology alone is not yet sufficient to identify malignant tumors eligible for a total thyroidectomy upfront. Numerous auxiliary markers have been proposed as discriminating markers between follicular thyroid carcinomas and follicular thyroid adenomas, although many have proven suboptimal in terms of sensitivity, specificity, or overall clinical practicality. Of late, recurrent promoter mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene have been intimately coupled to subsets of well-differentiated thyroid cancer specimen with aggressive clinical characteristics as well as less differentiated forms of thyroid cancer with exceedingly poor prognosis. The mutations are thought to enhance the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene expressional output and cause immortalization through telomerase-associated mechanisms. Materials and Methods: In this review, the current value of telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations is detailed from a clinical angle—as well as the possible future application of additional telomerase reverse transcriptase gene aberrations as adjunct markers for the proper recognition of malignant potential. Results: Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations are found in subsets of follicular thyroid carcinomas and follicular tumors of uncertain malignant potential while exceedingly rare in recurrence-free follicular thyroid adenomas. Collectively, these aberrancies are suggested as possible diagnostic and prognostic discriminators of follicular thyroid tumors. Conclusions: Telomerase reverse transcriptase gene analyses greatly facilitate the clinical assessment of follicular thyroid tumors, and pinpoints cases at risk of future recurrences. High-volume, tertiary thyroid centers are therefore recommended to implement the mutational screening in clinical routine.