Diagnostic value of galectin-3 as a marker for malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions.
BACKGROUND
The determination of malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions is based on postoperative histologic findings. Therefore, affected patients are referred for surgery, although only 20% will have a final diagnosis of malignancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of galectin-3 as a marker of malignancy in these lesions.


METHODS
Fifty-four tissue specimens of follicular patterned thyroid lesions were immunohistochemically stained for galectin-3. Area and intensity scores were recorded.


RESULTS
Significant differences were found between the benign and malignant lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values of galectin-3 staining were 82%, 68%, 75%, and 77%, respectively (p=.0002). Significant differences were also found between the subgroups of benign and malignant lesions (p < or =.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Galectin-3 staining is highly sensitive for malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions. Diagnostic problems may arise in the presence of Hurthle cell proliferation or minimally invasive follicular carcinoma.
Oestreicher-Kedem
Yael
Y
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 17 Feivel Street, Tel Aviv, Israel 62995. dkyo@barak-online.net.il
Halpern
Marisa
M
Roizman
Pepi
P
Hardy
Britta
B
Sulkes
Jaqueline
J
Feinmesser
Raphael
R
Stern
Yoram
Y
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018249:Adenoma, Oxyphilic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D018265:Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037502:Galectin 3