The effect of TTF-1 expression on ipsilateral mediastinal nodal (N2) metastases in primary adenocarcinoma of the lung

Abstract

Aim of the studyTo study the effect of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) expression on ipsilateral mediastinal nodal (N2) metastases in primary adenocarcinoma of the lung.Material and methodsThe patients operated on with a diagnosis of primary adenocarcinoma of the lung were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups according to their TTF-1 expression. The relationship between TTF-1 expression and N2 metastases was evaluated.ResultsThere were 73 patients (58 male, 15 female) with a mean age of 58.4 ±10.2 in the study group. Sixty-six lobectomies or pneumonectomies and mediastinal lymph node dissection, and seven mediastinoscopies were performed. Positivity of the TTF-1 protein expression detected by the immunohistochemical staining of the specimens was present in 33 patients (45.2%); these patients were classified as group A and the rest of the patients as group B. Eleven patients had N2 disease in group A versus five patients in group B and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant.ConclusionsPatients with primary adenocarcinoma of the lung having TTF-1 expression are more likely to have N2 disease. They might be considered as candidates for adjuvant therapy.

Lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for thyroglobulin and cytokeratine-19

“…Some molecular examinations used for the assessment of lymph node status have shown higher positivity rates when compared to routine HE staining as well as immunohistochemistry. Nowadays lymph node metastases are diagnosed more and more often by molecular assays and immunohistochemistry [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. The data of these studies may help to find more sensitive methods for the early detection of cell dissemination and may refine risk groups that might benefit from more extensive surgery or adjuvant therapy.…”