| Abstract | The aim of this study is to evaluate the significance of immunohistochemical expression of Galectin-3 in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. We studied the fine needle aspiration specimens of 38 patients who had evaluated for nodular goiter and undergone a thyroid surgery between 2004-2005. Slides had been stained immunocytochemically with Galectin-3. The cytoplasmic staining of Galectin-3 was analyzed. Three cases of five follicular carcinomas had positive staining for Galectin-3, while two had not. Two cases with follicular adenomas were negative for Galectin-3. Five cases of six papillary carcinomas had positive staining for Galectin-3, while one case (the case with a papillary microcarcinoma) had not. The single cases with medullary and anaplastic carcinomas were negative for Galectin-3. None of the cases with a benign thyroid pathology had positive staining for Galectin-3. Galectin-3 immunocytochemical staining, had a sensitivity of 61.5%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 83.3% for thyroid malignancies. For the evaluation of follicular neoplasm, Galectin-3 immunocytochemical staining had a sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 50%. Galectin-3 expression in thyrocytes is a strong indicator of a malignant proliferative lesion especially for papillary and to an extent in follicular thyroid neoplasms. Galectin-3 could be used as a supplementary marker for cytological diagnosis. |
| Authors | Safak Ersoz, Hikmet Sert, Mustafa Yandi, Cihangir Erem, Sevdegul Mungan, Halil Onder Ersoz, Umit Cobanoglu, Arif Hacihasanoglu
(Affiliation: Department of Pathology, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080, Trabzon, Turkey. ersozs at yahoo.com)
|
| Journal | Pathology oncology research : POR
(Pathol Oncol Res)
Vol. 14
Issue 4
Pg. 457-60
(Dec 2008)
ISSN: 1219-4956 [Print] Netherlands |
| PMID | 18415710
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- Galectin 3
- Tumor Markers, Biological
|
| Topics |
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular
(diagnosis, metabolism, surgery)
- Adenocarcinoma, Papillary
(diagnosis, metabolism, surgery)
- Biopsy, Fine-Needle
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Galectin 3
(biosynthesis)
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Thyroid Neoplasms
(diagnosis, metabolism, surgery)
- Tumor Markers, Biological
(analysis)
|
