Zurnadzhy L. Papillary thyroid carcinoma: morphological characteristics in different periods after Chornobyl accident

Object of study: Malignant thyroid tumours. Aim of the study: Determine changes in morphological characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) based on the results of combined structural studies in children and adolescents affected as a result of the Chornobyl accident, depending on patients' age at surgery. Methods of investigations and devices: histological, immunohistochemical methods, interphase fluorescent hybridization "in situ" (FISH), morphometric, statistical methods: Shandon automat, LAMB device (U.K.), Leica RM2025 microtome, Leica microscope, Zeiss, Germany. Theoretic and practical results: The peculiarities have been established, of the dynamics of morphological translocations and invasive properties of PTC in children, adolescents, and adults aged 19 to 39 years over time elapsed after the Chornobyl accident. New data have been obtained on morphological peculiarities (marked increase in multifocal growth signs, extrathyroid and vascular invasion, increase in proliferative activity in areas of invasive growth) of PTC under conditions of development of regional and distant metastases, i.e. in the presence of an aggressive course of disease. The results of the study will contribute to an optimization of postoperative tactics in patients with PTC. The data of immunohistochemical investigations substantiate the possibility of using antibodies to galectin-3 in differential diagnosis of PTC compared with other thyroid tumours. Novelty: For the first time, heterogeneity of distribution (clusterization) of aberrant cells with translocations in RET gene in PTC of children and adolescents which was enhancing with increasing latency of tumour development, which points out complex molecular-biological mechanisms of thyroid carcinogenesis and does not exclude the possibility of complexation of several oncogenes in PTC development. Degree of introduction: The results of study are used in clinical practice of the Institution where the competitor is working. A declaration patent was issued under the No. 22569. Sphere of application: Endocrinology.