Objective To investigate the role of preoperative serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in evaluating differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Methods A total of 551 patients with thyroid nodules met the study criteria, who got treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University between Aug. 2017 and Dec. 2017. And the patients were divided into DTC group (n=110) and benign group (n=441) according to the postoperative pathological results. The difference of serum TSH level between the 2 groups was compared and then explored the diagnostic significance of serum TSH level, thyroid imaging report and data system (TI-RADS), and serum TSH combined withTI-RADS. Results The serum TSH level was higher in the DTC group than that of the benign group (Z=5.198, P<0.05). The sensitivity of preoperative serum TSH level in the diagnosis of DTC was 80.9% (89/110), the specificity was 74.4% (328/441), and the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.660 ［95%CI was (0.602, 0.719), P<0.05］. The sensitivity of TI-RADS in the diagnosis of DTC was 82.7% (91/110), the specificity was 73.5% (324/441), and the area under the ROC curve was 0.772 ［95%CI was (0.711, 0.823), P<0.05］. The sensitivity of preoperative serum TSH combined with TI-RADS in the diagnosis of DTC was 91.8% (101/110), the specificity was 87.5% (386/441), and the area under the ROC curve was 0.831 ［95%CI was (0.786, 0.876), P<0.05］. Conclusions Preoperative serum TSH level may be a potential risk factor for the occurrence of DTC. Preoperative serum TSH level combined with TI-RADS classification can improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of DTC, not only to reduce the misdiagnosis of thyroid cancer, but also can avoid excessive treatment.
ObjectiveIn order to improve the levels of clinical diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer, the research status and progress of blood markers of differentiated thyroid cancer in recent years were reviewed.MethodThe literatures about blood markers and liquid biopsy of differentiated thyroid cancer at home and abroad in recent years were searched and summarized.ResultsThyroglobulin and thyroglobulin antibody were the most commonly used for markers of differentiated thyroid cancer. The application value of blood markers such as microRNA and long non-coding RNA in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer had also been found.ConclusionBecause of the advantages of high specificity, high sensitivity, and no-invasion, blood markers are useful indicators to help improve the diagnosis of thyroid cancer patients and monitor the disease progression and recurrence in the future.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of lenvatinib as targeted therapy for locally advanced thyroid cancer. MethodsThe data of 17 patients with locally advanced thyroid cancer who received targeted therapy in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Cancer Hospital from September 2021 to June 2023 were prospectively collected and analyzed. ResultsSeventeen patients received lenvatinib for a median of 8 weeks (4–32 weeks), 5 patients achieved partial response, 11 patients achieved stable disease, and 1 patient experienced progressive disease. The objective response and disease control rates were 29.4% (5/17) and 94.1% (16/17) respectively, the median tumor diameter of the target lesion decreased from 43 mm before treatment to 12 mm after treatment. Five patients did not undergo surgery because of tumor progression and their refusal; R0/1 resection was achieved in 11 of the 12 remaining patients (91.7%). All patients suffered from drug-related adverse events, and the commonest drug-related adverse events were hypertension (7/17, 41.2%), diarrhea (6/17, 35.3%), and proteinuria (5/17, 29.4%). There were no major drug-related adverse events. ConclusionPreliminary analysis indicates that lenvatinib is effective and safe for targeted therapy of locally advanced thyroid cancer, with a relatively high rate of R0/1 resection.
ObjectiveTo understand the research status of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway in the thyroid cancer (TC), as well as its role in the occurrence, cell differentiation, invasion, and metastasis of the TC, so as to find potential targets for treatment of TC. MethodThe literature about the research of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the TC was searched and summarized. ResultsThe PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was abnormally activated directly or indirectly in the TC, resulting in inhibition of cell apoptosis, malignant proliferation, accelerated cycle progression, invasion, and metastasis, etc., which promoted the occurrence and development of the TC. There were also some tumor suppressor genes, microRNAs, long chain non-coding RNAs, etc., which indirectly inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, or directly acted on it inhibiting its activity to inhibit the occurrence and development of the TC. ConclusionsFor the TC, some proteins, genes, microRNAs, and long chain non-coding RNAs directly or indirectly activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through different targets to promote the occurrence and development of TC. At the same time, many targets inhibit the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which inhibits the malignant proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of TC. At present, there have been studies trying to use PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as a breakthrough for the treatment of TC. In-depth exploration of the role of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in different TC is of great significance to find new targets for the treatment of TC.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the reliability and stability of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) and conventional open thyroidectomy (COT) in the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer.MethodsThe clinical studies of TOETVA and COT in the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer were retrieved from major databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, and CNKI by computer. The search date ended on March 1, 2020. Two investigators screened the literatures strictly and extracted the data following the pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then used RevMan 5.3 software for meta-analysis.ResultsA total of 7 studies including 1 465 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed: compared with the COT group, the operation time of the TOETVA group was longer [WMD=35.18, P=0.000 1], and the number of lymph node dissections in the central area was larger [WMD=1.42, P=0.000 5]. But the intraoperative blood loss [WMD=–5.32, P=0.39], the length of hospital stay after operation [WMD=0.05, P=0.94], the incidences of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy [OR=0.81, P=0.43], transient hypocalcemia [OR=0.55, P=0.35], permanent hypocalcemia [OR=0.39, P=0.22], permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy [OR=1.34, P=0.73], and hematoma [OR=1.29, P=0.69] were not statistically significant between the two groups.ConclusionsTOETVA has a higher stability. Although the COT has a shorter operation time, the former has a higher central lymph node dissection rate, and there is no scar on the neck after surgery and no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications.
ObjectiveTo investigate the adequate surgical procedures for well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) located in the isthmus.MethodsNineteen patients with WDTC located in the isthmus were identified with WDTC and managed by surgery in Department of General Surgery in Xuanwu Hospital of Capital University from Jun. 2013 to May. 2018.ResultsAmong the nineteen cases, fifteen patients had a solitary malignant nodule confined to the isthmus, four patients had malignant nodules located separately in the isthmus and unilateral lobe. One patient received extended isthmusectomy as well as relaryngeal and pretracheal lymphectomy; six patients received isthmusectomy with unilateral lobectomy and central compartment lymph node dissection of unilateral lobe; four patients received isthmusectomy with unilateral lobectomy and subtotal thyroidectomy on the other lobe as well as central compartment lymph node dissection of unilateral lobe; seven patients received total thyroidectomy or isthmusectomy with unilateral lobectomy and nearly total thyroidectomy on the other lobe, as well as central compartment lymph node dissection of both sides; one patient received total thyroidectomy and central compartment lymph node dissection of both sides, as well as lateral thyroid lymph node dissection of both sides. The median operative time was 126 minutes (67–313 minutes), the median intraoperative blood loss was 30 mL (10–85 mL), and the median hospital stay was 6 days (4–11 days). Hypocalcemia occurred in 12 patients. There were no complications of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy or laryngeal nerve palsy occurred. All the nineteen patients were well followed. During the follow up period (14–69 months with median of 26 months), there were no complications of permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred, as well as the 5-year disease-specific survival rate and survival rate were both 100%.ConclusionsFor patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer located in the isthmus with different diameters and sentinel node status, individualized surgical procedures should be adopted.
ObjectiveTo investigate the supportive care needs (SCNs) and quality of life (QOL) of patients with thyroid cancer at different time points, and explore the trends and relation between the two. MethodsFrom April 2020 to July 2020, the convenience sampling method was used to select the patients with thyroid cancer that met the criteria, and the general data were collected before discharge. The 34-item Supportive Care Needs Survey and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 were used to investigate the SCNs and QOL of patients at preoperative 1 d and postoperative 2 d, 1 month and 6 months. ResultsA total of 102 patients met the criteria were included. Total score of SCNs (F=13.407, P<0.001) and the points of psychological (F=38.525, P<0.001), health information (F=7.935, P=0.006), physical and daily living (F=56.413, P<0.001), patient care and support (F=40.530, P<0.001) needs were statistically different at each time point. The highest need was the psychological need at preoperative 1 d, which was the health information need at each time point after operation, and total score of SCNs was the highest at postoperative 2 d. The points of physical function (F=18.490, P<0.001), cognitive function (F=86.943, P<0.001), emotional function (F=9.121, P=0.003), social function (F=7.117, P=0.009), and overall health status (F=3.156, P=0.039) were statistically different at each time point, which of the physical function, role function, emotional function, social function, and overall health status decreased to the lowest on day 2 after operation. The total score of SCNs at each time point was negatively correlated with the functional factors of the QOL and the overall health status score (P<0.05). ConclusionsThe SCNs and QOL of patients with thyroid cancer show different trends at different time points, and there is a correlation between the two. Medical staff needs to develop personalized interventions according to the different stages of the patients’ disease, and actively provide targeted support and care so as to improve their QOL.
Objective To summarize the value of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) in diagnosis before surgery and monitoring after surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Methods By using the method of literature review, the literatures related to the diagnosis and monitoring value of serum Tg for DTC were studied. Results ① Serum thyroglobulin had a certain value in diagnosis of thyroid nodules, especially in follicular cancer or Hürthle cancer whose diagnosis undetermined by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), and it was closely linked with the tumor’s size and distant metastasis of the DTC. ② Raise of serum Tg postoperatively was important for judging the recurrence and metastasis of DTC. However, how to establish an appropriate threshold of serum Tg, identify the differences of results for different measurement methods, make the accurate judgment for false positive and false negative, and combine with other imaging methods appropriately, needed our attention. Conclusion Serum Tg plays a very important role in diagnosis before surgery and monitoring after surgery of DTC, clinical doctors need pay high attention on it.
ObjectiveTo summarize the efficacy and safety of Jindan Fuyan Granule in the treatment of refractory chylous leakage after neck lymph node dissection for thyroid cancer. MethodThe clinical data of thyroid cancer patients with refractory chylous leakage after neck lymph node dissection treated with Jindan Fuyan Granules in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery of Jiangsu Cancer Hospital from January to December 2023, were retrospectively collected. ResultsAfter treatment with Jindan Fuyan Granules on the basis of conventional treatment, the drainage volume of 3 patients with thyroid cancer after radical neck lymph node dissection was significantly reduced, from 100 mL to 2 mL, 1 285 mL to 5 mL, and 960 mL to 5 mL, respectively. After 3 days of treatment, the tubes were removed successfully. After discharge from the hospital, 3 patients were followed up for 3, 3, 4 months, respectively, showing satisfactory wound healing without chylous leakage or other discomfort. ConclusionsCombined with low-fat diet, drainage and other non-surgical treatment methods, Jindan Fuyan Granule has obvious effect on treating refractory chylous fistula after neck lymph node dissection, which can be used as a non-surgical treatment option. However, the efficacy needs to be further verified.
Objective To explore value of multidisciplinary team (MDT) model in diagnosis and treatment of patients with advanced special thyroid cancer who lost chance of operation. Method Two patients with the advanced special thyroid cancer who lost chance of operation were treated by low dose apatinib (250 mg/d) after the MDT discussion. Results One medullary thyroid cancer patient with the compressing of the trachea for mediastinal metastatic lymphadenopathy and inability to lie down underwent the multiple surgical treatment, the therapeutic effect was poor. Then low dose apatinib (250 mg/d) was performed, the patient could supine, breathe smoothly, and move freely, whose life quality was obviously improved, the mediastinal lymph nodes reduced and no serious drug toxicity occurred on month 1 after the treatment. One undifferentiated thyroid cancer patient with the lung metastasis, hemoptysis, and tumor invasion resulted in the inability to lie down and having difficulty in breathing, these symptoms still existed and more pleural effusion occurred after the resection of the invaded trachea. Then low dose apatinib (250 mg/d) was performed, the patient could supine, the pleural effusion disappeared, the hemoptysis stopped, the breathing was smooth, and could do some minor housework, no drug toxicity occurred on month 1 after the treatment. Conclusion After MDT discussion, low dose apatinib in treatment of advanced special thyroid cancer is reliable and safe and has a good short-term effect, which could be used as a new remedy, but long-term effect should be further researched by increasing case samples and a long-term following-up.