Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Integrating Ultrasound Imaging with Biochemical Markers for Thyroid Disease Diagnosis
Published on: February 9, 2024
Impact of Ultrasonographic Features Indicative of Malignancy on Tumor Advancement in Thyroid Cancer-A Single-Center
Michał Miciak1, Krzysztof Jurkiewicz1,2, Natalia Kalka1
1Department of General Surgery, University Centre of General and Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland.
Background:
Ultrasonography is frequently used preoperatively to assess thyroid nodules. Hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications, high vascularity, or irregular tumor shape suggest malignancy.
Methods:
This is a retrospective analysis of 724 patients from 2008 to 2024 who underwent surgery for TC. Preoperative data, ultrasonographic findings, and histopathological results were collected. Ultrasonographic features indicative of possible malignancy included hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications, high vascularity, and irregular tumor shape. These were correlated with histopathologically seen extrathyroidal extension, capsular and vascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis.
Results:
A statistically significant association was seen for each of the evaluated ultrasonographic features (p < 0.05). More advanced TC had a greater number of suspicious ultrasonographic features averaging 3.05 to 3.12. Microcalcifications, high vascularity, and irregular tumor shape showed a strong correlation (r > 0.7) with all histopathological features. Hypoechogenicity had a strong correlation with lymph node metastasis and a moderate correlation (r = 0.5-0.7) with other features.
Conclusions:
Ultrasonographic features predict the likelihood of histopathological extrathyroidal extension, capsular and vascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Ultrasonography
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called...
02:07Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
01:23The Thyroid Gland
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...