The differences in distant metastatic patterns and their corresponding survival between thyroid cancer subtypes

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Thyroid cancer is a heterogeneous disease with varying metastatic patterns.
• Understanding distant metastases (DM) at diagnosis is crucial for prognosis.
• Previous studies have not systematically detailed subtype-specific DM patterns and survival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically elucidate the distant metastatic (DM) patterns of different thyroid cancer subtypes at the time of diagnosis.
• To correlate these specific metastatic patterns with patient survival outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2010-2018).
• Included 2787 cases of primary thyroid cancers presenting with distant metastases (M1).
• Performed statistical analyses to determine DM incidence, common sites, and survival rates.

Main Results:

• The incidence of DM at presentation was 2.4%.
• Lung was the most common metastatic site for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC), papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and oncocytic (Hurthle) cell carcinoma (HCC).
• Bone was the most common metastatic site for follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
• Patients with multi-organ metastases had the worst survival, while bone metastases were associated with a favorable outcome (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Significant differences exist in the distant metastatic (DM) patterns among various thyroid cancer subtypes.
• These distinct DM patterns significantly correlate with differential survival outcomes.
• Metastatic site is a critical prognostic factor in thyroid cancer.