DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF GALECTIN-3 AS A MARKER FOR MALIGNANCY IN FOLLICULAR PATTERNED THYROID LESIONS

Abstract: 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 ma-lignancy. 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 be-nign 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 V.05). Conclusions. Galectin-3 staining is highly sensitive for ma-lignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions. Diagnostic problems may arise in the presence of Hürthle cell proliferation or minimally invasive follicular carcinoma. A 2004 Wiley Period