Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine-related malignancy, whose incidence rates have increased dramatically in the last few decades. Neoplasms of follicular origin generally have excellent prognosis, with the exception of less differentiated tumors. Follicular-derived thyroid cancer can manifest as a variety of morphologically distinct entities, characterized by various degrees of differentiation and invasiveness. Histological evaluation is thus crucial for the definition of patients’ prognosis. However, within each histological subtype, tumor behavior can be highly variable, and, in this respect, molecular characterization can provide insightful information to refine the risk stratification of tumors. In addition to the importance of its prognostic role, molecular testing can be used to support the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules in the absence of marked cyto-morphological aberrations. Finally, with the advent of targeted drugs, the presence of molecular alterations will guide the therapeutic strategies for patients with advanced tumors who do not respond to standard treatment. This review aims to describe the genetic landscape of follicular-derived thyroid tumors also highlighting differences across histological subtypes.

Molecular genetics of follicular-derived thyroid cancer

Macerola E.;Poma A. M.;Vignali P.;Basolo A.;Ugolini C.;Torregrossa L.;Santini F.;Basolo F.
2021-01-01

Abstract

Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine-related malignancy, whose incidence rates have increased dramatically in the last few decades. Neoplasms of follicular origin generally have excellent prognosis, with the exception of less differentiated tumors. Follicular-derived thyroid cancer can manifest as a variety of morphologically distinct entities, characterized by various degrees of differentiation and invasiveness. Histological evaluation is thus crucial for the definition of patients’ prognosis. However, within each histological subtype, tumor behavior can be highly variable, and, in this respect, molecular characterization can provide insightful information to refine the risk stratification of tumors. In addition to the importance of its prognostic role, molecular testing can be used to support the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules in the absence of marked cyto-morphological aberrations. Finally, with the advent of targeted drugs, the presence of molecular alterations will guide the therapeutic strategies for patients with advanced tumors who do not respond to standard treatment. This review aims to describe the genetic landscape of follicular-derived thyroid tumors also highlighting differences across histological subtypes.
2021
Macerola, E.; Poma, A. M.; Vignali, P.; Basolo, A.; Ugolini, C.; Torregrossa, L.; Santini, F.; Basolo, F.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
cancers-13-01139.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione finale editoriale
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 1 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/1117434
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 18
  • Scopus 27
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 22
social impact