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Diagnostic value of galectin-3 as a marker for malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions
Yael Oestreicher-Kedem1, Marisa Halpern, Pepi Roizman
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 17 Feivel Street, Tel Aviv, Israel 62995. dkyo@barak-online.net.il
Background:
The determination of malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions is based on postoperative histologic findings. Therefore, affected patients are referred for surgery, although only 20% will have a final diagnosis of malignancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of galectin-3 as a marker of malignancy in these lesions.
Methods:
Fifty-four tissue specimens of follicular patterned thyroid lesions were immunohistochemically stained for galectin-3. Area and intensity scores were recorded.
Results:
Significant differences were found between the benign and malignant lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values of galectin-3 staining were 82%, 68%, 75%, and 77%, respectively (p=.0002). Significant differences were also found between the subgroups of benign and malignant lesions (p < or =.05).
Conclusions:
Galectin-3 staining is highly sensitive for malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions. Diagnostic problems may arise in the presence of Hurthle cell proliferation or minimally invasive follicular carcinoma.