scholarly journals Serum thyroglobulin and 131I whole body scan after recombinant human TSH stimulation in the follow-up of low-risk patients with differentiated thyroid cancer

2003 ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Torlontano ◽  
U Crocetti ◽  
L D'Aloiso ◽  
N Bonfitto ◽  
A Di Giorgio ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: The 'standard' postoperative follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has been based upon serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement and (131)I whole body scan ((131)I-WBS) after thyroid hormone (T(4)) treatment withdrawal. However, (131)I-WBS sensitivity has been reported to be low. Thyroid hormone withdrawal, often associated with hypothyroidism-related side effects, may now be replaced by recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone (rhTSH). The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of (131)I-WBS and serum Tg measurement obtained after rhTSH stimulation and of neck ultrasonography in the first follow-up of DTC patients. DESIGN: Ninety-nine consecutive patients previously treated with total thyroidectomy and (131)I ablation, with no uptake outside the thyroid bed on the post-ablative (131)I-WBS (low-risk patients) were enrolled. METHODS: Measurement of serum Tg and (131)I-WBS after rhTSH stimulation, and ultrasound examination (US) of the neck. RESULTS: rhTSH-stimulated Tg was <or=1 ng/ml in 78 patients (Tg-) and >1 ng/ml (Tg+) in 21 patients, including 6 patients with Tg levels >5 ng/ml. (131)I-WBS was negative for persistent or recurrent disease in all patients (i.e. sensitivity = 0%). US identified lymph-node metastases (confirmed at surgery) in 4/6 (67%) patients with stimulated Tg levels >5 ng/ml, in 2/15 (13%) with Tg>1<5 ng/ml, and in 2/78 (3%) who were Tg-negative. CONCLUSIONS: (i) diagnostic (131)I-WBS performed after rhTSH stimulation is useless in the first follow-up of DTC patients; (ii) US may identify lymph node metastases even in patients with low or undetectable serum Tg levels.

2003 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 1433-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. L. Mazzaferri ◽  
R. J. Robbins ◽  
C. A. Spencer ◽  
L. E. Braverman ◽  
F. Pacini ◽  
...  

Recent studies have provided new information regarding the optimal surveillance protocols for low-risk patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). This article summarizes the main issues brought out in a consensus conference of thyroid cancer specialists who analyzed and discussed this new data. There is growing recognition of the value of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) as part of routine surveillance. An undetectable serum Tg measured during thyroid hormone suppression of TSH (THST) is often misleading. Eight studies show that 21% of 784 patients who had no clinical evidence of tumor with baseline serum Tg levels usually below 1 μg/liter during THST had, in response to recombinant human TSH (rhTSH), a rise in serum Tg to more than 2 μg/liter. When this happened, 36% of the patients were found to have metastases (36% at distant sites) that were identified in 91% by an rhTSH-stimulated Tg above 2 μg/liter. Diagnostic whole body scanning, after either rhTSH or thyroid hormone withdrawal, identified only 19% of the cases of metastases. Ten studies comprising 1599 patients demonstrate that a TSH-stimulated Tg test using a Tg cutoff of 2 μg/liter (either after thyroid hormone withdrawal or 72 h after rhTSH) is sufficiently sensitive to be used as the principal test in the follow-up management of low-risk patients with DTC and that the routine use of diagnostic whole body scanning in follow-up should be discouraged. On the basis of the foregoing, we propose a surveillance guideline using TSH-stimulated Tg levels for patients who have undergone total or near-total thyroidectomy and 131I ablation for DTC and have no clinical evidence of residual tumor with a serum Tg below 1 μg/liter during THST.


2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Amalia Cabezón ◽  
Laura Carolina Carrizo ◽  
Pablo René Costanzo

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the presentation, follow-up and evolution of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) detected during pregnancy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty nine women with DTC detected during pregnancy were analyzed. Group I (n = 13) was seen during pregnancy and DTC was diagnosed during gestation; detection of the nodule occurred during pregnancy (first trimester). Group II (n = 16) was seen after delivery; detection of the nodule occurred during pregnancy (second or third trimester). Complete thyroidectomy, ablative dose of radioactive iodine, and treatment with levothyroxine were performed. Follow-up: neck ultrasound; TSH, free T4, thyroglobulin, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies with and without treatment with levothyroxine; and 131I whole body scans. Histological diagnosis, lymph node metastases, tumor size and stage, complications from pregnancy, and DTC evolution were evaluated. RESULTS: 100% of the patients had papillary thyroid carcinoma. Lymph node metastases were detected in 13 (44.8%), and invasion of adjacent extrathyroid tissue in 2 patients. Tumor size was larger in Group II: 22.1 ± 10.9 versus 13.9 ± 3.5 mm; p = 0.03. No differences were found in the tumor stages between groups. All patients had full-term pregnancies and healthy newborns. Follow-up: 5.7 ± 4.3 years; one patient had persistent disease. CONCLUSIONS: DTC detected during pregnancy had a favorable evolution. Surgery may be postponed to the post-delivery period, unless there are risk factors that justify it during pregnancy.


Thyroid ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 1273-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Hua Huang ◽  
Pei-Wen Wang ◽  
Yu-Erh Huang ◽  
Fong-Fu Chou ◽  
Rue-Tsuan Liu ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 765-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Souza Cruz Caminha ◽  
Denise Prado Momesso ◽  
Fernanda Vaisman ◽  
Rossana Corbo ◽  
Mario Vaisman

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastiaan Sol ◽  
Bert Bravenboer ◽  
Brigitte Velkeniers ◽  
Steven Raeymaeckers ◽  
Marleen Keyaerts ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is a common malignancy with increasing incidence. Follow-up care for DTC includes thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement and ultrasound (US) of the neck, combined with 131I remnant ablation when indicated. Diagnostic precision has evolved with the introduction of the new high-sensitive Tg-assays (sensitivity ≤0.1 ng/mL). The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic utility of high-sensitive Tg and the need for other diagnostic tests in DTC. Methods This was a retrospective, observational study. Patients with pathologically confirmed DTC, treated with total thyroidectomy and 131I remnant ablation, who had their complete follow-up care in our institution were selected (October 2013–December 2018). Subjects with possible thyroglobulin autoantibody interference were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS® Statistics 24 software package. Results Forty patients were eligible for analysis. A total of 24 out of the 40 patients (60%) had an undetectable high-sensitive Tg 6 months after total thyroidectomy. None of these patients had a stimulated Tg above 1 ng/mL, or remnant on the 123I Whole-Body Scan (WBS) after 1 year of follow-up. Ultrasound of the neck, performed between 6 and 12 months postoperative, was negative in 21 out of the 24 patients. Conclusions This study shows that an undetectable high-sensitive Tg can change the management of patients with DTC and decrease the use and need of stimulated Tg and 123I WBS.


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