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Because of ambiguous and widely debated observations concerning the incidence, trend, and management of TC, we performed this analysis. We drew attention to some events, such as "cancer screening activity", introduction of noninvasive follicular neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) to TC types, possibility of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) active surveillance (AS), occurrence of personalized medicine in TC management, and, finally, COVID-19 pandemic time. Because of the opinion that all changes have been made mostly by PTC, we compared it to the remaining types of TC in terms of incidence, clinical and pathological characteristics, and treatment. We analyzed patients treated in a single surgical center in eastern Europe (Poland). The prevalence of TC significantly increased from 5.15% in 2008 to 13.84% in 2015, and then significantly decreased to 1.33% in 2022 when the COVID-19 pandemic lasted ( p < 0.0001). A similar trend was observed for PTC, when the incidence significantly increased to 13.99% in 2015 and then decreased to 1.38% in 2022 ( p < 0.0001). At that time, the NIFTP category was introduced, and observation of PTMC began. The prevalence of FTC and MTC also increased until 2015 and then decreased. Significant differences in age, types of surgery, necessity of reoperation, and pTNM between PTCs and other types of TCs were observed. The average age was significantly lower in PTC patients than in patients with the remaining types of TC ( p < 0.0001). Four milestones, including NIFTP introduction, the possibility of PTMC AS, personalized cancer medicine, and the COVID-19 pandemic, may have influenced the general statistics of TC.

The patho-mechanism of changes in the thyroid gland, including carcinogenesis, is a complex process, which involves oxidative stress. The goal of our investigation was to verify the extent of stress in the thyroid gland related to glycation. The study samples were comprised of blood sera, thyroid, and adipose tissue sections probed from 37 patients diagnosed with thyroid cancers and goiter. Using immuno-enzymatic and fluorometric assays we analyzed the content of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), pentosidine, receptors for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), scavenger receptor class (SR)-A, SR-B, glutathione, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide synthase. In addition to classic AGEs, a recent study detected the melibiose-derived glycation (MAGE) product. We demonstrated the presence of AGEs, MAGE and their receptors of the RAGE and SR-A. In addition, in the control samples of thyroid glands SR-B groups were detected as well as of pathological groups without noticeable tendency to antigen concentration in the area of carcinogenesis. Fluorescent AGEs correlate positively with glutathione, which supports the assumption that glycation stress leads to augmentation of oxidative stress and increase of the intensity of antioxidant mechanisms.