• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.855-860
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between different sonographic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) on high-frequency ultrasound and cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). Materials and Methods: We enrolled 548 patients who underwent initial surgery for PTC between May 2011 and December 2012 in our hospital at diagnosis. The sonographic features of 513 PTC nodules in 513 eligible patients, who had single PTC nodules in their thyroid glands, were retrospectively investigated. All patients with a suspect malignant nodule (d<0.5cm) among multiple nodules were initially diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to ascertain if the suspect nodule was PTC. The final diagnosis of all the thyroid nodules and existence of CLNM were based on postoperative pathology. Patients were divided into two groups: a positive group with CLNM (224 nodules) and a negative group without CLNM (289 nodules). The following factors were investigated: gender, age, echogenicity, echotexture, size, shape, location, margin, contour, calcification morphology, distance between the nodule and pre- or post-border of the thyroid capsule, vascularity and the differences between the two groups. Results: Correlation analysis showed that shorter distances between the nodule and pre- or postborder of thyroid capsule resulted in greater risk of CLNM (Spearman correlation coefficient=-0.22, p<0.0001). The significant factors in multivariate analysis were age<45yrs, larger size (d>1cm), "wider than tall" shape, extrathyroid extension and mixed flow (internal and peripheral) (p<0.05, OR=0.406, 2.093, 0.461, 1.610, 1.322). Conclusions: Significant sonographic features of PTC nodules in preoperative high-frequency ultrasound are crucial for predicting CLNM.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2003

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare disorder accounting for 0.5% to 5% of parathyroid neoplasia. Diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is difficult because ail characteristic features of parathyroid carcinoma can be recognized in parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia. Cellular atypism cannot be used for the diagnostic criteria of parathyroid carcinoma as malignancies of most other organs. We experienced two cases of cytologic features of parathyroid carcinoma confirmed by histologic examination. The majority of tumor cells formed large cohesive clusters, although individual tumor cells were also present. The tumor cells displayed rather pleomorphic round to oval nuclei, occasional prominent nucleoli, and distinct cytoplasmic margin. Occasionally karyolysis, anuclear cells, and nonepithelial cell clusters were noted. The histologic findings showed a partially lobulated architecture, with admixture of sheets of chief cells, oxyphil cells, and occasional water clear cells. The tumor infiltrated into the thyroid parenchyme and perithyroidal soft tissue. The electron microscopic study of case 1 disclosed typical findings of parathyroid neoplasm; clusters of secretory chief cells with centrally located round to ovoid nuclei, moderately clumped heterochromatins and one or two nucleoli. The tumor cells showed conspicous interdigitation of contiguous ceil membrane and intercellular microvilli.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.99-105
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• 2014

Isolating total DNA from small samples using traditional methods is difficult and inefficient mainly due to loss of DNA during filtration and precipitation. With advances in molecular pathology, DNA extraction from micro-dissected cells has become essential in handling clinical samples. Genomic DNA extraction using small numbers of cells can be very important to successfully PCR amplify DNA from small biopsy specimens. We compared our experimental genomic DNA extraction method (A) with two other commercially available methods: using spin columns (B), and conventional resins (C), and determined the efficacy of DNA extraction from small numbers of cells smeared on a glass slide. Approximately 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 cells were isolated from fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) slides aspirated from histologically proven papillary thyroid carcinoma masses. DNA was extracted using the three techniques. After measuring DNA quantity, PCR amplification was performed to detect the ${\beta}$-globin and $BRAF^{V600E}$ gene mutations. DNA extracted by method (A) showed better yield than the other methods in all cell groups. With our method, a suitable amount of genomic DNA to produce amplification was extracted from as few as 50 cells, while more than 100 to 200 cells were required when methods (B) or (C) were applied. Our genomic DNA extraction method provides high quality and improved yields for molecular analysis. It will be especially useful for paucicellular clinical samples which molecular pathologists often confront when handling fine needle aspiration cytology, exfoliative cytology and small biopsy specimens.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.206-212
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• 1997

H$\"{u}$rthle cell neoplasm of the thyroid gland is an uncommon, but potentially malignant lesion. However, in many instances, the malignant potential of the H$\"{u}$rthle cell neoplasm is very difficult to judge histologically. For this reason, the biologic behavior of this tumor and its optimal treatment have come under considerable debate in recent years. In order to review the clinicopathologic features of the H$\"{u}$rthle cell neoplasm and to determine its optimal treatment modalities, we studied 26 patients with path logical proof of H$\"{u}$rthle cell tumor from January 1987 to September 1997. We also performed an immunohistochemical study using the monoclonal antibodies against antigen CD34 for the angiogenic activity of this tumor and evaluated the differences of microvessel density(MVD) between benign and malignant tumors. The age of the patients ranged from 1 to 71 years with a mean of 44.2 years. There were 6 males and 20 females(M : F= 1 : 3.3). The accuracies of fine needle aspiration biopsy and frozen section were very low; 6.3% and 34.8%, respectively. There were 20 benign tumors and 6 malignant tumors(23.1%). All the malignant tumors were microinvasive(intermediate) type which had minimal capsular invasion and most of them(5 cases) were diagnosed postoperatively. Any specific clinicopathologic differences were not seen between benign and intermediate groups. Most of the cases had conservative surgeries(15 ipsilateral lobectomy-isthmusectomy, 7 subtotal thyroidectomy) while total thyroidectomy was performed in 4 cases. Of the cases with malignant tumor, 2 had ipsilateral lobectomy-isthmusectomy, 3 had subtotal thyroidectomy and the remaining 1 had total thyroidectomy. Mean size of the tumors was 3.0 cm(0.1- 8.5 cm) in the greatest diameter and multiple tumors were seen in 6 cases(23.1 %). During the follow-up period, only one recurrence(3.8%) of benign tumor occurred but distant metastasis or cause-specific death was seen in the benign or intermediate groups. Mean MVDs of the benign(n=13) and intermediate(n=6) groups were $121.7{\pm}35.3$ and $114.3{\pm}31.7$, respectively and there was no statistical significance between them. In conclusion, because of the low accuracies of fine needle aspiration biopsy and frozen section for the H$\"{u}$rthle cell neoplasm, the extent of surgery could be individualized based on permanent pathologic examination; Conservative surgery would be adequate for patients with benign or intermediate H$\"{u}$rthle cell neoplasm and total or near-total thyroidectomy for those with definite malignancy.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.108-113
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• 2013

The study compared the cytological features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in liquid-based preparations (LBPs) and conventional Pap (CP) smears from fine needle aspiration (FNA), and assessed the feasibility of LBP using the Cell Scan $1500^{TM}$ processor on thyroid FNA samples. Thyroid FNA samples were obtained from 883 consecutive patients. Each sample was divided into two and used for LBPs and CP smears. All were screened independently in a double-blind manner. From the 883 cases, 95 cases were diagnosed as PTC in one or both types of preparation (10.8%). PTC was diagnosed via CP smears in 83 cases (87.4%) and via LBPs in 70 cases (73.7%). However, there were differences in categorization between the paired preparations: Twelve (12) PTCs were misinterpreted in CP smears and 25 PTCs in LBPs. There was a significant discrepancy in the rate of detection of the diagnostic features, with LBPs having a lower detection rate. One (1) case (1.2%) of CP smears and 16 cases (22.9%) of LBPs were categorized as unsatisfactory/nondiagnostic in a total of the 95 PTCs. To conclude, the detection rate of the diagnostic features of PTC is lower in Cell Scan 1500TM samples than in CP smears. However, there are some cases in which a diagnosis of PTC is made in LBPs, but not in CP smears. Therefore, definitive cancer diagnosis in thyroid FNA preparations is likely to result from agreement between direct smears and Cell Scan 1500TM preparations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2175-2178
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• 2012

Purpose: Definite diagnosis of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is based on the presence of capsular or vascular invasion. To date, no reliable and practical method has been introduced to discriminate this malignant neoplasm from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) in fine needle aspiration biopsy material. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), by degrading extracellular matrix, and caspase-3, by induction of apoptosis, have been shown to play important roles in carcinogenesis and aggressive behavior in many tumor types. The aim of this study was to examine expression of MMP-2 and caspase-3 in thyroid follicular neoplasms and to determine their usefulness for differential diagnosis. Method: Sixty FTAs and 41 FTCs were analysed immunohistochemically for MMP-2 and caspase-3. Result: MMP-2 was positive in 4 FTCs (9.8%), but in none of FTAs, with statistical significance (p= 0.025). Caspase-3 was positive in 30 (50%) of FTAs and in 27 (65.9%) of FTCs. Conclusion: Our results show MMP-2 expression only in FTCs and suggest that this protein may be a useful marker to confirm diagnosis of FTC versus FTA with 100% specificity and 100% predictive value of a positive test. We failed to show any differential diagnostic value for caspase-3 in thyroid follicular neoplasms.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2003

Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid gland is a rare benign neoplasm predominantly diagnosed in middle-aged women. Carney et al. first described this entity that may mimic paraganglioma, medullary carcinoma and papillary carcinoma in 1987. We describe cytologic and histopathologic features of a case of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma combined with occult papillary carcinoma in the opposite lobe. A 55-year-old woman presented with nontender palpable mass of the right neck for 6 months. The aspirate was cellular and contained small clusters and sheets of epithelial cells with abundant filamentous, vacuolated, and ill-defined cytoplasm. The nuclei were slightly pleomorphic and showed nuclear overlapping, nuclear grooves, and intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. Histologic examination showed hyalinizing trabecular adenoma in the right lobe and occult papillary carcinoma in the left lobe.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 1998

Objectives: Papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid was evaluated as to the effectiveness of diagnostic modalities, lymphatic spread pattern, and therapeutic decision according to tumor size. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a clinicopathologic findings of 72 papillary microcarcinoma patients who were treated at the over 11 years between 1985 and 1995. The authors divided papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid into two subgroups according to tumor size: $0{\leqq}5mm$ and $5<0{\leqq}10mm$. An analysis including age and gender distribution, diagnostic tools(thyroid sonogram, thyroid scan, thyroid function test, fine needle aspiration cytology, frozen section), pathological examination of lymphnode, and surgical procedures was carried out in each subgroups. Results: The carcinoma of smaller than 5mm were found in 32 patients, and of 6 -10mm were in 40 patients. The average age of patients was 45years and all of them were female. Cold nodules on thyroid scan were noticed in 53 patientss and normal findings were in 15 patients. Suspicious malignant lesions(fine calcification, solid mass, irregular margin) on thyroid sonography were detected in 23 patients and the sonography was more useful in detecting $0{\leqq}5mm$ small sized lesions than other diagnostic methods. FNAC were performed in 17 patients, and 7 patients were diagnosed as having thyroid papillary cancer. But diagnotic rate in $0{\leqq}5mm$ small sized lesions was very low(one of eights).Frozen section were performed in all patients, among these 15 patients were diagnosed as being benign diseases and false negative rates were higher in $0{\leqq}5mm$ small sized lesions than in $5<0{\leqq}10mm$ sized lesions(p-value<0.006). Only thyroidectomies were performed in 24 patients and thyroidectomy with node dissections in 48 patients. The lymphnode metastatic rates were much higher in multifocal lesions(61.5%) than in single lesion. The incidence of cervical lymphnode metastasis was 19.4% in $0{\leqq}5mm$ sized lesions and 47.9% in $5<0{\leqq}10mm$ sized lesions. Postoperative management were performed with TSH suppression therapy(T4, synthroid) in all patients and RI therapy in 29 patients. Conclusion: On the basis of our study, improved preoperative diagnostic tools for papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid was helpful in the choice of surgical treatment. As a result of techninological progress(ultrasonography, FNAC), the pencentage of the discovery of papillary microcarcinoma has been increased. The thyroid ultrasonography was useful in detecting small sized lesions($0{\leqq}5mm$), but FNAC may not be beneficial in detecting small sized lesions($0{\leqq}5mm$). In the surgical procedure, thyroid lobectomy alone should be avoided because of the high rate of bilaterality and multifocality.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10307-10311
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• 2015

Background: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology is one of the main classification systems for thyroid nodules. It expects that 7% of all fine needle aspiration biopsies will be reported as atypia or follicular lesions of undetermined significance, and 5-15% of these undetermined nodules are malignant. Our study is a retrospective analysis of variables that may be associated with outcome in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy in our institution between 2010 and 2014 were retrieved from the institutional records database. Patient demographics and medical histories were recorded. All ultrasonography reports were examined for nodule features and biochemical blood levels, hormone levels and complete blood counts were recorded. Results: A total of 103 patient cytopathology reports were regarded as belonging to the undetermined category. Some 35% of patients had malignant nodules. Median preoperative red cell distribution width (RDW) level was 13.6 inthe benign group, while it was 14.3 in patients with malignancy, demonstrating a significant correlation (p=0.003). Only calcification presence was significantly different between benign and malignant groups on ultrasonography (p=0.034). Conclusions: Ultrasonography is one of the primary tools for this matter. RDW levels may become another promising tool to predict malignancy.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.234-243
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• 1993

The thyroid nodules are the most common endocrine disease requiring surgical management. Up to date, various diagnostic techniques and surgical management have been developed. Authors analysed 2285 cases of thyroid nodules who were treated at Department of Surgery, Pusan National University for the duration of 10 years from January 1980 to December 1989 and the results obtained were summerized as follows: 1) Patients were composed of 1727 cases(75.8%) of benign nodule and 558 cases(24.5%) of malignant nodule. Benign nodule was prevalent in forth and fifth decade comparing with malignant nodule was sixth and fifth decade. The sexual distribution revealed female preponderance with 1:10.8 in benign nodule and 1:9.3 in malignant nodule. 2) The histopathologic classfication of benign nodule in decreasing order of frequency were follicular adenoma 1009 cases(54.8%), adenomatous goiter 573 cases(33.3%), simple cyst 65 cases(3.8%), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis 52 cases(3.0%). The malignant disease were papillary adenocarcinoma 460 cases(82.4%), follicular adenocarcinoma 69 cases(12.4%), undifferentiated carcinoma 13 cases (2.0%), and medullary carcinoma 7 cases(1.0%). 3) Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed in 1758 cases and it showed 80.5% of sensitivity, 96.5% of specificity, 19.5% of false negative and 80% of accuracy. 4) The location of nodule was 87.7%, in unilateral, 12.2% in bilateral. 5) On the radioiodine scanning, the incidence of benign nodule with cold nodule was 83.9% and the incidence of benign nodule with hot nodule was 7.5%. The incidence of thyroid carcinoma with cold nodule was 88.3% and the incidence of thyroid carcinoma with hot nodule was 4.6%. 6) Most cases of benign nodules were treated with lobectomy 82.6%, subtotal thyroidectomy 10.1% and subtotal lobectomy 3.0%. Malignant nodules were treated with lobectomy and/or isthmusectomy 37.6%, total thyroidectomy 17.7%, subtotal thyroidectomy 15.4%, and any thyroidectomy and neck dissection 13.5%. 7) Postoperative complications were developed in 3.8% of benign nodules and 13.8% of malignant nodules.