Objective To quantify the cost incurred during the match process for otolaryngology applicants, determine sources of expenditures, and highlight potential methods to alleviate financial burden of the match process. Study Design Cross-sectional. Study Setting Online survey. Subjects and Methods An electronic survey was sent via email to those who applied to the otolaryngology residency programs at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital during the 2016 application cycle. Questions regarding demographics and experiences with the match were multiple choice, and questions regarding cost were open answer. Data were downloaded and analyzed on Excel and Minitab software. Results Twenty-eight percent of the total 370 applicants completed the survey. The mean cost of away rotations was $2500 (95% confidence interval [CI], $2224-$2776). With application fees and the cost of interviewing, the mean total cost of applying for the 2016 otolaryngology match was $6400 (95% CI, $5710-$7090), with a total range of $1200 to $20,000. Twenty-eight percent of students did not have sufficient funds for applying and interviewing despite seeking out additional monetary resources. Conclusion In 2016, otolaryngology applicants spent a mean of $8900 (95% CI, $7935-$9865) on away rotations, applications, and interviewing. Half of the applicants obtained additional funding to cover this cost, while 28% still did not have sufficient funding. Methods of decreasing cost may include instituting a cap on application number, videoconferencing interviews, regionalizing interviews, and adjusting the interview timeline.
Tumor-to-tumor metastasis in thyroid neoplasms is exceedingly uncommon. Two unusual cases of breast carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma metastatic to follicular variant papillary carcinoma are reported. On histologic sections, the donor tumor cells infiltrated the substance of the recipient tumor and the angiolymphatic channels, but the bulk of metastatic tumor was confined within the thyroid carcinoma. Immunohistochemical stains as well as molecular studies confirmed the origin of both donor tumors, as well as the diagnosis of follicular variant of papillary carcinoma in the recipient tumors. Distinguishing between two such tumor populations may be difficult when the donor tumor cells morphologically resemble primary neoplasms of the recipient organ. A history of previous malignancy and ancillary studies can be helpful in making this distinction and rendering the correct diagnosis. A brief review of literature and discussion of tumor-to-tumor metastasis in thyroid neoplasms is also presented.
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