Comparing nodal with primary tumor desmoplasia uncovers metastatic patterns in multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B
Authors' conclusion
This proof-of-concept study suggests that primary tumor desmoplasia is an equally powerful biomarker of node metastasis in hereditary MTC.
Study context
- Population
- Children with MEN 2B and hereditary medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) with multiple primary thyroid tumors of disparate size and extent of desmoplasia
- Participants
- 3 consecutive children
- Exposure
- Desmoplasia-positive vs desmoplasia-negative primary thyroid tumors
- Outcome
- Spread to ipsilateral neck nodes
Methodological detailsconsecutive patients
- Consecutive patients
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Unlike the desmoplasia-positive 6-mm high-grade and 7-mm low-grade tumors, the desmoplasia-negative 8-, 11- and 16-mm low-grade tumors did not spread to ipsilateral neck nodes
- MTC typically involved the ipsilateral central neck before spreading to the ipsilateral lateral and contralateral neck
- MTC in the upper thyroid lobe skipped the ipsilateral central neck to invade the ipsilateral lateral neck
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Extent of nodal desmoplasia
- Greater with extranodal growth than with intranodal growth
Original publication
Comparing nodal with primary tumor desmoplasia uncovers metastatic patterns in multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B. Eur J Endocrinol. Published 26 December 2023. doi:10.
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