Utility of immunohistochemical markers in differentiating benign from malignant follicular-derived thyroid nodules

• Main Authors: Barnwell John (Author), Jin Bo (Author), Saleh Husain A (Author), Alzohaili Opada (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/1746-1596-5-9; 1746-1596
• Keywords: Pathology; RB1-214
• Source: Diagnostic Pathology, Vol 5, Iss 1, p 9 (2010)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Thyroid nodules are common among adults though only a small percentage is malignant, which can histologically mimic benign nodules. Accurate diagnosis of these thyroid nodules is critical for the proper clinical management.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated immunoexpression in 98 surgically removed benign thyroid nodules including 52 hyperplastic nodules (HN) and 46 follicular/Hurthle cell adenomas (FA), and 54 malignant tumors including 22 follicular carcinoma (FC), 20 classic papillary carcinoma (PTC), and 12 follicular variant papillary carcinoma (FVPC).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The staining results showed that malignant tumors express galectin-3, HBME-1, CK19 and Ret oncoprotein significantly more than benign nodules. The sensitivity of these markers for the distinction between benign and malignant lesions ranged from 83.3% to 87%. The sensitivity of two-marker panels was not significantly different. Immunoexpression was usually diffuse and strong in malignant tumors, and focal and weak in the benign lesions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings indicate that these immunomarkers are significantly more expressed in malignant tumors compared to benign lesions and may be of additional diagnostic value when combined with routine histology.</p>