Follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is the most common variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) after classical PTC (CPTC). In this study, we aimed to compare functional status, ultrasonographical features, cytological results, and histopathological characteristics of patients with CPTC and FVPTC. Preoperative thyroid functions, thyroid autoantibodies, ultrasonographical features, cytology, and histopathology results of 354 (79.9%) CPTC and 90 (20.3%) FVPTC patients were reviewed retrospectively. Sex distribution, mean age, thyroid autoantibody positivity, and thyroid dysfunctions were similar in two groups. Among 320 patients with preoperative ultrasonography (US) findings, a hypoechoic halo was observed more frequently (p=0.003), and marginal irregularity was observed less commonly (p=0.024) in FVPTC lesions. In CPTC, rate of malignant cytology (p=0.001), and in FVPTC, rate of suspicious cytology (p<0.001) were significantly higher. Histopathologically, mean tumor diameter was markedly higher in FVPTC compared to CPTC (16.89 ± 13.86 vs 10.64 ± 9.70 mm, p<0.001), while capsular invasion and extrathyroidal spread were significantly lower in patients with FVPTC (p=0.018 and p=0.039, respectively). FVPTC tend to have more benign features in US and less malignant results in cytology. Higher tumor size in FVPTC might be explained by the recognition of clinical importance of these lesions after reaching particular sizes due to benign US features.

Gynecomastia is the benign enlargement of male breast glandular tissue and is the most common breast condition in males. At least 30% of males will be affected during their life. Since it causes anxiety, psychosocial discomfort and fear of breast cancer, early diagnostic evaluation is important and patients usually seek medical attention. Gynecomastia was reported to cause an imbalance between estrogen and androgen action or an increased estrogen to androgen ratio, due to increased estrogen production, decreased androgen production or both. Evaluation of gynecomastia must include a detailed medical history, clinical examination, specific blood tests, imaging and tissue sampling. Individual treatment requirements can range from simple reassurance to medical treatment or even surgery. The main aim of any intervention is to relieve the symptoms and exclude other etiological factors.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) has been widely accepted as the most accurate, safe, and cost-effective method for evaluation of thyroid nodules. The most challenging category in FNAB is atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) and follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS). The Bethesda system (BS) recommends repeat FNAB in that category due to its low risk of malignancy. In our study, we aimed to investigate the malignancy rate of thyroid nodules of AUS and FLUS and whether there were different malignancy rates among the different patterns in this category, and to evaluate the presence of biochemical, clinical, and echographic features possibly predictive of malignancy related to AUS and FLUS. Data of 268 patients operated for AUS and FLUS cytology were screened retrospectively. Ultrasonographic features and thyroid function tests, thyroid antibodies, scintigraphy, and histopathological results were evaluated. Of the 268 patients' results, 276 nodules are evaluated. Malignancy rates were 24.3 % in the AUS group, 19.8 % in the FLUS group, and 22.8 % in both groups. In the evaluation of all nodules, the predictive features of malignancy are hypoechogenicity and peripheral vascularization of the nodule. We determined that the malignancy rates in these nodules are higher than that in the literature rate. This high ratio may be due to the fact that we studied only patients who underwent surgery. The ultrasonographic features alone may be insufficient to predict the malignancy; therefore, all the clinical and ultrasonographic features must be considered in the evaluation of the thyroid nodules. In addition, we think that the recommended management of repeat FNAB in these groups must be reconsidered with the clinical and ultrasonographic features.

Tumor multifocality is not an unusual finding in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but its clinical significance is controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate impact of multifocality, tumor number, and total tumor diameter on clinicopathological features of PTC. Medical records of 912 patients who underwent thyroidectomy and diagnosed with PTC were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were grouped into four according to number of tumoral foci: N1 (1 focus), N2 (2 foci), N3 (3 foci), and N4 (≥4 foci). The diameter of the largest tumor was considered the primary tumor diameter (PTD), and total tumor diameter (TTD) was calculated as the sum of the maximal diameter of each lesion in multicentric tumors. Patients were further classified into subgroups according to PTD and TTD. Multifocal PTC was found in 308 (33.8 %) patients. Capsular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, and lymph node metastasis were significantly higher in patients with multifocal tumors compared to patients with unifocal PTC. As the number of tumor increased, extrathyroidal extension and lymph node metastasis also increased (p = 0.034 and p = 0.004, respectively). The risk of lymph node metastasis was 2.287 (OR = 2.287, p = 0.036) times higher in N3 and 3.449 (OR = 3.449, p = 0.001) times higher in N4 compared to N1. Capsular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, and lymph node metastasis were significantly higher in multifocal patients with PTD ≤10 mm and TTD >10 mm than unifocal patients with tumor diameter ≤10 mm (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in terms of these parameters in multifocal patients with PTD ≤10 mm and TTD >10 mm and unifocal patients with tumor diameter >10 mm. In this study, increased tumor number was associated with higher rates of capsular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, and lymph node metastasis. In a patient with multifocal papillary microcarcinoma, TTD >10 mm confers a similar risk of aggressive histopathological behavior with unifocal PTC greater than 10 mm.

Objective: Microcalcification is strongly correlated with papillary thyroid cancer. It is not clear whether macrocalcification is associated with malignancy. In this study, we aimed to assess the result of fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) of thyroid nodules with macrocalcifications. Subjects and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 269 patients (907 nodules). Macrocalcifications were classified as eggshell and parenchymal macrocalcification. FNAB results were divided into four groups: benign, malignant, suspicious for malignancy, and non-diagnostic. Results: There were 79.9% female and 20.1% male and mean age was 56.9 years. Macrocalcification was detected in 46.3% nodules and 53.7% nodules had no macrocalcification. Parenchymal and eggshell macrocalcification were observed in 40.5% and 5.8% nodules, respectively. Cytologically, malignant and suspicious for malignancy rates were higher in nodules with macrocalcification compared to nodules without macrocalcification (p = 0.004 and p = 0.003, respectively). Benign and non-diagnostic cytology results were similar in two groups (p > 0.05). Nodules with eggshell calcification had higher rate of suspicious for malignancy and nodules with parenchymal macrocalcification had higher rates of malignant and suspicious for malignancy compared to those without macrocalcification (p = 0.01, p = 0.003 and p = 0.007, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that macrocalcifications are not always benign and are not associated with increased nondiagnostic FNAB results. Macrocalcification, particularly the parenchymal type should be taken into consideration. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(9):939-45 Keywords Thyroid nodule; macrocalcification; malignancy; suspicious of malignancy RESUMO Objetivo: A microcalcificação está fortemente correlacionada com o câncer papilar de tiroide. Não está claro se a macrocalcificação também está associada com malignidade. Neste estudo, nosso objetivo foi avaliar o resultado da biópsia de aspiração por agulha fina (FNAB) de nó-dulos tiroidianos com macrocalcificações. Sujeitos e métodos: Avaliamos retrospectivamente 269 pacientes (907 nódulos). As macrocalcificações foram classificadas como periféricas (casca de ovo) ou parenquimatosas (interna). Os resultados da FNAB foram divididos em quatro grupos citológicos: benignos, com malignidade, suspeita de malignidade e não diagnósticos. Resultados: Das amostras, 79,9% foram coletadas de mulheres e 20,1% de homens, e a idade média foi de 56,9 anos. A macrocalcificação foi detectada em 46,3% dos nódulos, e em 53,7% dos nódulos não havia macrocalcificação. A macrocalcificação parenquimatosa e periférica foi observada em 40,5% e 5,8% dos nódulos, respectivamente. Em termos citológicos, a malignidade e suspeita de malignidade foram mais comuns em nódulos com macrocalcificação em comparação com nódulos sem macrocalcificação (p = 0,004 e p = 0,003, respectivamente). Resultados benignos e não diagnósticos da citologia foram similares em ambos os grupos (p > 0,05). Os nódulos com calci...