| Abstract | Galectin-3 is a 31kD beta-galactoside binding lectin, which is known to be expressed in various neoplasms including thyroid tumors. This study was conducted to study the role of galectin-3 in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules onfine needle aspirates (FNAC). Galectin-3 immuocytochemistry was performed in 70 cases with adequate smears. The cytology diagnosis of these cases was: papillary carcinoma (25), follicular neoplasm (16), adenomatous goiter (20), hyperplastic nodule (5), medullary carcinoma (5) and anaplastic carcinoma (1). Galectin-3 positivity was seen in 80% of papillary carcinomas, 37.5% offollicular neoplasms and in 60% of benign nodules. The single case of anaplastic carcinoma was positive but all the cases of medullary carcinoma were negativefor galectin-3. Three of thefollicular neoplasms that were diagnosed on histology as carcinoma were positive on cytology and one case offollicular adenoma was also positive. Our study shows that galectin-3 is strongly expressed in smears of papillary carcinoma. However, since it is also expressed in a variety of benign lesions, its role as a pre-surgical markerfor differentiating benignfrom malignant thyroid nodules is limited. |
| Authors | Manju Aron, Kusum Kapila, Kusum Verma
(Affiliation: Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. manjuaron at yahoo.com)
|
| Journal | Indian journal of pathology & microbiology
(Indian J Pathol Microbiol)
Vol. 49
Issue 3
Pg. 376-80
(Jul 2006)
ISSN: 0377-4929 India |
| PMID | 17001889
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- Galectin 3
- Tumor Markers, Biological
|
| Topics |
- Academies and Institutes
- Adenoma
(diagnosis, metabolism, pathology)
- Adult
- Biopsy, Fine-Needle
- Carcinoma
(diagnosis, metabolism, pathology)
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Female
- Galectin 3
(metabolism)
- Humans
- Hyperplasia
(metabolism)
- Immunohistochemistry
- India
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Thyroid Gland
(pathology)
- Thyroid Neoplasms
(diagnosis, metabolism, pathology)
- Tumor Markers, Biological
(metabolism)
|
