Prognostic impact of vascular invasion in differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background The role of vascular invasion (VI) as a prognostic marker in thyroid cancer is continuously debated among investigators. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the association of VI with tumor recurrence and patient mortality in differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs). Methods We searched five electronic databases for cases of DTC matching our criteria. Data of tumor persistence, locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant recurrence (DR) and overall recurrence/persistence (RP) were extracted and pooled into odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random effect model. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) for disease-specific survival (DSS) was calculated using random effect model weighted by inverse variance method. Publication bias was examined by using Egger’s test and funnel plot. Results From 1650 studies, we included 26 studies comprising 11 961 DTCs for meta-analyses. In DTC patients, we found significant associations of VI with tumor persistence (OR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.46–5.18), LRR (OR = 4.44; 95% CI = 2.94–6.71), DR (OR = 5.08; 95% CI = 2.95–8.75), overall RP (OR = 3.53; 95% CI = 2.09–5.96) and worse DSS (HR = 2.47; 95% CI = 1.45–4.21). Our results also demonstrated that the presence of extensive VI is associated with a significantly higher risk for DR in follicular thyroid carcinomas as compared with focal VI. Conclusion Our study demonstrated a significant impact of VI on tumor recurrence and patient survival in DTC patients. The presence and extent of VI should be considered an adverse prognostic factor in DTCs.