Objective To investigate the predictive value of integrating clinical pathological characteristics with genetic testing for occult lymph node metastasis(OLNM)in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC).Methods A total of 104 PTMC patients admitted to our hospital between May 2023 and May 2025 were included in the study.All patients showed no evidence of suspicious lymph node metastasis on preoperative imaging and underwent standard thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection.Based on postoperative pathological con-firmation of central lymph node metastasis status,patients were classified into an OLNM-positive group(n=53)and an OLNM-negative group(n=51).Baseline characteristics,clinicopathological features,BRAFV600E gene mutation status,and TERT promoter mutation status were compared between the two groups.To identify factors independently associated with OLNM in PTMC patients,multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)was utilized to assess the predictive performance of a combined model incorporating clinical,pathological,and genetic features for OLNM.Results Compared with the OLNM-negative group,the OLNM-positive group exhibited significantly higher preoperative thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)levels(P<0.05).Moreover,the OLNM-positive group demonstrated significantly greater proportions of tumors with diameter>0.5 cm,multifocality,microcalcifications,capsule invasion,extrathyroidal extension,T3 stage,BRAFV600E mutation,and TERT promoter mutation(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified preoperative TSH level,tumor diameter>0.5 cm,multifocal lesions,capsule invasion,extrathyroidal extension,T stage,BRAFV600E mutation,and TERT promoter mutation as independent risk factors for OLNM in patients with PTMC(all P<0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the integrated model combining clinical pathological features-including tumor diameter,number of lesions,microcalcification,capsule invasion,extrathy-roidal extension,and T stage-with genetic markers(BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations)exhibited the highest predictive performance,yielding an AUC of 0.940.This was significantly higher than the model based solely on clinical pathological features(AUC=0.736)or those relying exclusively on genetic testing(BRAFV600E:AUC=0.860;TERT:AUC=0.882),with all comparisons reaching statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusions The integration of clinical pathological features with genetic testing significantly improved the predictive accuracy of OLNM in PTMC patients,surpassing models based solely on individual clinical pathological characteristics or genetic tests alone.This multimodal strategy offers a robust,evidence-based foundation for personalized surgical planning and enhances the precision of clinical decision-making in the management of PTMC.

Objective To explore the clinical effect of 3D-printed interbody fusion cage applied in anterior cervical decompression and bone graft fusion for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Methods A total of 100 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent anterior cervical fusion surgery in our hospital from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected as the research subjects,they were randomly divided into the 3D group and the control group according to the random number table method,with 50 cases in each group.Patients in the 3D group were implanted with a 3D-printed interbody fusion cage which was made of microporous metal materials,while patients in the control group were implanted with intervertebral fusion cage which was made of polyetheretherketone material.The surgery-related indicators,cervical imaging parameters,cervical spinal cord function,cervical axial function and surgical complications of patients between the two groups were compared.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the operation time,intraoperative blood loss or length of hospital stay of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).The height of the cervical fusion segments and the Cobb angle of the fusion segments of patients in both groups at each time point after the operation were significantly increased compared with those before the operation(P<0.05).The height of the cervical fusion segments and the Cobb angle of the fusion segments of patients 1 month,3 months,and 6 months after the operation in the 3D group were all greater than those in the control group(P>0.05).The subjective symptom score and the total score of the Japanese orthopaedic association(JOA)of patients 6 months after the operation in the 3D group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The cervical axial function of patients 6 months after the operation in the 3D group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of surgical complications in the 3D group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The use of 3D-printed interbody fusion cage during the anterior cervical decompression and bone graft fusion for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients,achieve better cervical axial function,and have fewer complications.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Cancer Association, articles published in Cancer Research and Treatment from 2004 to 2023 were assessed based on the subject and design of each study. Based on this analysis, trends in domestic cancer research were inferred and directions were suggested for the future development of Cancer Research and Treatment.

During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Cancer Association, articles published in Cancer Research and Treatment from 2004 to 2023 were assessed based on the subject and design of each study. Based on this analysis, trends in domestic cancer research were inferred and directions were suggested for the future development of Cancer Research and Treatment.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Cancer Association, articles published in Cancer Research and Treatment from 2004 to 2023 were assessed based on the subject and design of each study. Based on this analysis, trends in domestic cancer research were inferred and directions were suggested for the future development of Cancer Research and Treatment.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of integrating clinical pathological characteristics with genetic testing for occult lymph node metastasis(OLNM)in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC).Methods A total of 104 PTMC patients admitted to our hospital between May 2023 and May 2025 were included in the study.All patients showed no evidence of suspicious lymph node metastasis on preoperative imaging and underwent standard thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection.Based on postoperative pathological con-firmation of central lymph node metastasis status,patients were classified into an OLNM-positive group(n=53)and an OLNM-negative group(n=51).Baseline characteristics,clinicopathological features,BRAFV600E gene mutation status,and TERT promoter mutation status were compared between the two groups.To identify factors independently associated with OLNM in PTMC patients,multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)was utilized to assess the predictive performance of a combined model incorporating clinical,pathological,and genetic features for OLNM.Results Compared with the OLNM-negative group,the OLNM-positive group exhibited significantly higher preoperative thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)levels(P<0.05).Moreover,the OLNM-positive group demonstrated significantly greater proportions of tumors with diameter>0.5 cm,multifocality,microcalcifications,capsule invasion,extrathyroidal extension,T3 stage,BRAFV600E mutation,and TERT promoter mutation(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified preoperative TSH level,tumor diameter>0.5 cm,multifocal lesions,capsule invasion,extrathyroidal extension,T stage,BRAFV600E mutation,and TERT promoter mutation as independent risk factors for OLNM in patients with PTMC(all P<0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the integrated model combining clinical pathological features-including tumor diameter,number of lesions,microcalcification,capsule invasion,extrathy-roidal extension,and T stage-with genetic markers(BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations)exhibited the highest predictive performance,yielding an AUC of 0.940.This was significantly higher than the model based solely on clinical pathological features(AUC=0.736)or those relying exclusively on genetic testing(BRAFV600E:AUC=0.860;TERT:AUC=0.882),with all comparisons reaching statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusions The integration of clinical pathological features with genetic testing significantly improved the predictive accuracy of OLNM in PTMC patients,surpassing models based solely on individual clinical pathological characteristics or genetic tests alone.This multimodal strategy offers a robust,evidence-based foundation for personalized surgical planning and enhances the precision of clinical decision-making in the management of PTMC.