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Can galectin-3 be a useful marker for conventional papillary thyroid microcarcinoma?
Hye Mi Gweon1, Jeong-Ah Kim1, Ji Hyun Youk1
1Department of Radiology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Diagnostic Cytopathology
|December 19, 2015
Summary
Galectin-3 staining in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is not a reliable prognostic marker for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). This study found no significant association between galectin-3 expression and adverse prognostic factors in PTMC.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Galectin-3 staining of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is valuable for diagnosing thyroid malignancy.
- While galectin-3 is a prognostic factor in papillary thyroid carcinoma, its role in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of galectin-3 in preoperative ultrasonography (US)-guided FNA cytology for PTMC.
- To evaluate the association between galectin-3 expression and prognostic factors in PTMC.
Main Methods:
- 440 conventional PTMCs undergoing US-guided FNA with galectin-3 analysis and surgery were enrolled.
- Preoperative US features and clinicopathologic results (extathyroidal extension, lymph node metastasis) were compared between galectin-3 positive and negative PTMC.
Main Results:
- Galectin-3 positivity was observed in 45.7% of PTMCs.
- No significant difference in US features was found between galectin-3 positive and negative PTMC.
- Galectin-3 expression showed no significant association with extrathyroidal extension or lymph node metastasis in conventional PTMC.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative galectin-3 analysis using FNA cytology may not be advisable for patients with conventional PTMC.
- The prognostic value of galectin-3 in PTMC requires further investigation.
