Background: In the eighth edition of the AJCC staging system for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), minimal extrathyroidal extension (ETE) is no longer a determinant of T3 category. Instead, gross ETE invading only strap muscles has been designated as a new T3b category. The long-term prognosis of patients with DTC and gross ETE invading only strap muscles was investigated. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 1996 and 2005. Differences in cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival according to extent of ETE were assessed.Results: A total of 3174 patients with DTC were included. No significant differences were observed in 10-year cancer-specific survival among patients with no ETE (98⋅6 per cent), microscopic ETE (98⋅3 per cent) and gross ETE invading only strap muscles (98⋅9 per cent) (P = 0⋅375). The 10-year recurrence-free survival rate for patients with gross ETE invading only strap muscles (89⋅2 per cent) was shorter than that for patients with no ETE (93⋅7 per cent; P = 0⋅016), but similar to that of patients with microscopic ETE (90⋅3 per cent). In univariable analysis, patients with gross ETE invading only strap muscles had a significantly higher risk of recurrence than those with no ETE (hazard ratio (HR) 1⋅67, 95 per cent c.i. 1⋅10 to 2⋅55; P = 0⋅017). In multivariable analysis, gross ETE invading only strap muscles was not an independent predictor of recurrence (HR 1⋅09, 0⋅71 to 1⋅69; P = 0⋅685). Conclusion:Although gross ETE invading only strap muscles may provide prognostic information about long-term recurrence, it does not affect mortality. The actual impact of gross ETE invading only strap muscles will be important in revising the staging system in the future.

Gynecologic malignancies show different incidence trends in Korea and Israel. Uterine cancer is rising in both countries and is correlated to changing trends in obesity and dietary habits. Ovarian cancer is rising in Korea but declining among Israeli Jews along with changes in parity, childbearing age, contraceptive use and increasing awareness to BRCA gene carriers and risk reduction salpingo-oophorectomy. Cervical cancer is declining in Korea along with an effective screening program implemented. Mortality trends follow incidence trends in both countries.