Browsing by Author "Krgovic, K. (6603288163)"

Aims: Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside binding protein, recently recognized as a promising molecular marker of thyroid malignancy. As reported in several studies, galectin-3 is highly expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma, but its expression has not been investigated in papillary microcarcinoma, which is a variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods and results: Using a monoclonal antibody to galectin-3 and the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) immunohistochemical technique, we analysed galectin-3 expression in 63 cases of papillary microcarcinoma. The results showed immunohistochemical reactivity for galectin-3 in 51 (80.9%) cases. Intensity of staining varied from strong or moderate to weak. Galectin-3 localization was mostly cytoplasmic, but also membranous or nuclear in some cells. Immunohistochemical expression of galectin-3 was not found in 12 (19.1%) cases. Most galectin-3 negative microcarcinomas (10/12) were of the non-classical type, i.e. without papillary architecture. Neither the frequency nor the intensity of a positive reaction was related to tumour size. Conclusions: Galectin-3 gene is expressed at the protein level in most papillary microcarcinomas, although with slightly lower frequency than that reported for clinically evident papillary thyroid carcinoma. The presence of galectin-3 in clinically silent microcarcinomas may indicate that galectin-3 is not related to growth or aggressiveness of papillary thyroid microcarcinomas but rather plays some other role in thyroid tumour biology. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Limited.

Aims: The objective of the study was to report a series of patients with Hürthle cell tumours. Methods: We reviewed medical records of single institution from January 1982 to December 2002, including follow-up information. Results: We identified 199 patients with Hürthle cell tumours (HCT), 88 patients with Hürthle cell carcinoma (HCC) and 111 patients with Hürthle cell adenoma (HCA). The HCC group had significantly longer duration of the disease and larger tumours (4.8 vs 3.8 cm) compared with HCA group. Gender appeared to play significant role in patients with HCT (women outnumbered man by 7:1; p<0.01). Surgical management for 80% of patients with HCA consisted of hemithyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy in 87% patients in the HCC group. Temporary laryngeal nerve palsy and temporary hypoparathyroidismus were not seen in HCA group, in HCC group were confirmed in 2.27 and 3.41%, respectively. Four patients with HCC relapsed and two died of HCC. Conclusions: HCC has outlook for favorable outcome when treated radically with total thyroidectomy. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Purposes of the study: In contrast to familial medullary carcinoma, familial nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma (FNMTC) is less frequent and has been less investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of FNMTC and analyse the main demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Material and methods: Data on 1411 patients surgically treated for nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma, in the Center for Endocrine Surgery in Belgrade, from 1995 to 2006 were analysed. The possible presence of malignant tumours of the thyroid gland was investigated in their closest relatives in order to identify cases of FNMTC. Only data on first-degree relatives (parents and children) and second-degree relatives (grandparents, grandchildren and siblings) were taken into account in the analysis. Results: Thirteen patients (11 females and 2 males) (0.92% of those with nonmedullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland) had a familial form of the disease. In five families two members had a tumour, and in one family three members. In five out of six families it was a papillary carcinoma and in one family a follicular carcinoma. Patient age varied from 20 to 79 years, with a mean age of 40 years. The tumour size ranged from 5 to 60 mm (mean 25 mm). In two of the thirteen cases the tumour penetrated the capsule of the thyroid gland. In four cases the tumour was multicentric and bilateral, and in a further two metastases were present in regional lymph nodes. During the follow-up period, which lasted from 2 to 12 years (mean 8.5 years), two relapses were detected. Conclusion: Familial nonmedullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland occurs very rarely.