Pulmonary metastases in differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Study of 58 cases with implications for the primary tumor treatment

Fifty-eight cases of pulmonary metastases (PM) from 831 cases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) were studied. PM were found in about 10% of follicular and 5% of papillary tumors. 131I uptake was found in 55% of the cases, irrespective of histology. Twenty-one patients were treated by 131I only and 12 were cured. Micronodular metastases, 92% papillary, with 86% positive 131I uptake and 77% 8-year survival rate, are the most favorable forms. In others the influence of PM size/age, uptake, delay of appearance, presence of cervical or mediastinal lymph nodes is discussed. Occurrence of late PM according to treatment of the primary tumor was 1.3% thyroidectomy + 131I; 3% thyroidectomy; 5% partial thyroidectomy + 131I; 11% partial thyroidectomy only. Thus prevention in DTC of severe PM (28% 8-year survival rate) can best be achieved by complete thyroidectomy + 131I ablation dose.     

Evaluation of the surgical completeness after total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To quantify the rate of patients without thyroid remnants, to identify predictive factors for the absence of residual thyroid tissue and to evaluate number, site, size and function of thyroid remnants after total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). METHODS: Thousand one hundred and seventy-eight patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for DTC were evaluated; 343 patients with lymph node or distant metastases and 115 patients with detectable thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAb) were excluded. (131)I ablative treatment (RAI) without preliminary diagnostic (131)I whole body scans (DxWBS), and 24-h (131)I quantitative neck uptake (RAIU test) and thyroglobulin (Tg) off L-T4 evaluation were performed in the remaining 720 pts. In 252 patients a 99mTc-pertechnetate pre-operative thyroid scan (99mTc-scan) was used for comparison with (131)I neck scans after RAI to evaluate site of thyroid remnants. Only patients with thyroid remnants were evaluated for successful ablation 6-10 months after RAI. RESULTS: Post-treatment whole body scan (TxWBS) demonstrated lack of thyroid remnants in 50/720 patients and the best predictive factors for the absence of residual thyroid tissue were RAIU <1% and undetectable Tg off L-T4. Thyroid remnants were present in 670/720 patients. In 252 patients with (99m)Tc-scan, 617 sites of functioning thyroid tissue were found: 381 within and 236 outside the thyroid bed. Complete successful ablation was achieved in 610/670 patients with thyroid remnants. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that most patients (93.1%) have thyroid remnant after total thyroidectomy for DTC. Most thyroid remnants were contralateral to tumour site and were even observed outside thyroid bed. However, a real total thyroidectomy, demonstrated by negative TxWBS, RAIU <1% and undetectable Tg off L-T4, was achieved in 6.9% of patients.     

术后分化型甲状腺癌131Ⅰ清甲治疗疗效及影响因素分析

目的：探讨手术后分化型甲状腺癌131Ⅰ清甲治疗的临床疗效及影响因素.方法：对376例分化型甲状腺癌患者行131Ⅰ治疗,并进行2-10年随访,以全身131Ⅰ扫描,甲状腺摄131Ⅰ率、血清TG浓度来评判清甲治疗疗效.结果：376例患者中266例1次131Ⅰ消融成功,1次成功率70.74％.1次消融有效病例333例,有效率为88.56％.消融无效病例43例,无效率11.44％.不同病理类型间一次消融率无统计学差异,不同治疗时间一次消融成功率有统计学差异.结论：甲状腺外科手术＋ 131Ⅰ＋ TSH抑制治疗的综合治疗方法在分化型甲状腺癌的治疗中有重要作用,外科手术方式和手术后到131Ⅰ治疗时间是疗效的重要影响因素.     

Diagnosis of neck recurrences in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is traditionally carried out with (131)I whole body scan ((131)I WBS) and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement. Neck ultrasonography (US) is also used. METHODS: We compared the roles of Tg measurement (IRMA assay) after l-thyroxine (T4) withdrawal, (131)I WBS, and US in the diagnosis of DTC neck recurrences. Diagnosis of DTC neck recurrences was based on fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) or on histologic results. Four hundred ninety-four DTC patients (120 males, 374 females; mean age, 49.3 years), submitted to total thyroidectomy and subsequent radioablative (131)I treatment, underwent serum Tg measurement off T4 therapy, (131)I WBS, and neck US at our institution. Mean (+/- SD) follow-up time was 55.1 +/- 37.7 months. Neck DTC recurrences were detected in 51 (10.3%) patients (34 females, 17 males; mean age, 49.5 years). RESULTS: Neck recurrences occurred after 44.6 +/- 21.4 months from initial treatment. Serum Tg levels increased (> or = 2 ng/mL) off T4 therapy in 29 patients (sensitivity 56.8%), (131)I WBS showed neck uptake in 23 patients (sensitivity 45.1%) and coexisting distant metastases were detected in 9 of 23 patients, and US identified neck recurrence in 48 patients (sensitivity 94.1%). Of these 48 neck recurrences, 19 were found in the laterocervical compartment and 29 in the central neck compartment. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional techniques for the surveillance of DTC patients are not as sensitive as US in the detection of neck recurrences. Neck US detects recurrences in patients with undetectable serum Tg levels and negative IWBS and should be performed as the first-line test in the follow-up of all DTC patients.     

甲状腺球蛋白和甲状腺球蛋白抗体在分化型甲状腺癌诊治中的应用进展

分化型甲状腺癌（differentiated thyroid cancer，DTC）作为目前发病率上升最快、甲状腺外科最常见的内分泌恶性肿瘤而备受关注。通常选择甲状腺全切或近全切除术，术后配合甲状腺激素替代治疗以及131I消融治疗。甲状腺球蛋白（thyroglobulin，Tg）作为DTC术后随访的血清学标志物，易受到甲状腺球蛋白抗体（thyroglobulin antibody，TgAb）的干扰。本文着重探讨Tg、TgAb在DTC诊治中的意义，以期为研究提供更多的临床依据。      

Predictive value of thyroglobulin changes for the efficacy of thyroid remnant ablation.

The aim of this case-control study was to determine the utility of the evaluation of changes in serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels before and after 1311 diagnostic total body scan (TBS) in patients with thyroid cancer to predict the efficacy of radioiodine ablation. Among 134 consecutive patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) who had undergone a thyroidectomy and TBS prior to radioiodine ablation, we selected those subjects with no evidence of distant metastases and with two consecutive assessments of Tg before TBS and radioiodine ablation within a period of four weeks. With this selection procedure 27 patients (22 with papillary and five with follicular carcinomas) were included in our evaluation. The ablation therapy was considered successful when the TBS performed one year after treatment did not show any or less than 1% cervical 131I uptake, Tg levels remained below 3 ng/mL, and clinical and instrumental examinations were negative for the presence of relapses. These criteria divided the selected patients into two subsets: patients with successful radioiodine ablation and patients with residual thyroid tissue. The majority of patients with unsuccessful ablation showed an increase in serum Tg levels, while most of the patients with successful ablation showed a steady decrease in Tg concentrations. Statistical analysis evidenced that the increase in Tg levels after TBS was related to unsuccessful ablation (P > or = 0.01). By contrast, the rate of thyroid remnants with 131I uptake did not show any relationship with the outcome of ablation therapy. The group of patients with increasing Tg levels after TBS had a relative risk of 3.3 of unsuccessful ablative therapy compared to the group with stable or decreasing Tg levels. This study supports the concept that by monitoring Tg levels in patients who undergo diagnostic TBS before radioiodine ablation it is possible to obtain useful information about the efficacy of 131I therapy.     

Clinical outcome of low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer patients after radioiodine remnant ablation and recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone preparation

AimRecombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) has been approved in Europe as a preparation tool for radioiodine ablation of post-surgical thyroid remnants in patients with low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Published studies report that, both thyroid hormone withdrawal and rhTSH preparation result in similar rates of successful remnant ablation, but few studies have determined the effectiveness of rhTSH preparation on disease recurrence. We sought to determine the clinical outcome, considering both ablation success and disease recurrence, of low-risk DTC patients who underwent ¹³¹I ablation.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study describes the clinical outcome of 100 patients treated with ¹³¹I remnant ablation after preparation with rhTSH. After ablation, patients were classified as in complete remission, as having no evidence of persistent disease, or as having clinical recurrence on the basis of a subsequent diagnostic whole body scan with ¹³¹I, stimulated thyroglobulin and cross-sectional imaging studies.ResultsOverall assessment of ablation success was verified and obtained in 75% of patients (75/100). Considering only patients who underwent a diagnostic whole body scan and stimulated thyroglobulin without interfering anti-thyroglobulin antibody, complete ablation was obtained in 96% of patients (75/78). After a follow-up of about 4 years, 78 patients are in complete remission: 75 with initial ablation success and three who achieved a complete remission during subsequent follow-up. Among the remaining 22 patients, 21 have no clinical evidence of disease (NCED), indicating the inability to verify the complete remission or to detect residual disease, as in patients with positive thyroglobulin antibody, whereas one has persistent disease demonstrated only by stimulated thyroglobulin. No recurrences were observed. Of four patients initially classified as having persistent disease, one obtained a complete remission and two are now considered NCED.ConclusionOur data confirm the favourable outcome, with low rates of recurrence and persistent disease, of patients with low-risk DTC who underwent ¹³¹I ablation after rhTSH. Moreover, our results compare favourably with those reported in the literature in patients prepared with rhTSH, but also in patients prepared with hormone withdrawal.     

~(131)碘全身显像、甲状腺球蛋白测定及颈部超声检查在分化型甲状腺癌~(131)碘治疗随访中的意义

目的:探讨131I-全身显像(131I-WBS)、甲状腺球蛋白(Tg)测定及颈部B超检查在分化型甲状腺癌术后131I治疗随访中的意义.方法:31例分化型甲状腺癌术后131I治疗患者,治疗前后及随访中行甲状腺吸131I率、颈部B超、131I显像及甲状腺球蛋白测定.结果:治疗剂量131I-WBS较诊断剂量131I-WBS多发现3例转移灶;64人次Tg与131I-WBS检查结果:Tg与131I-WBS均阳性者19/64,均阴性者35/64,Tg阳性而131I-WBS阴性者5/64,Tg阴性而131I-WBS阳性者5/64;B超发现颈部淋巴结增大者为80.6%.结论:131I治疗分化型甲状腺癌转移灶效果突出,131I-WBS、Tg测定与颈部B超在其随访中联合应用可以相互补充,具有重要意义.     

Baseline Stimulated Thyroglobulin Level as a Good Predictor of Successful Ablation after Adjuvant Radioiodine Treatment for Differentiated Thyroid Cancers

Background: To determine the predictive value of the baseline stimulated thyroglobulin (STg) level for ablation outcome in patients undergoing adjuvant remnant radioiodine ablation (RRA) for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study accrued 64 patients (23 male and 41 female; mean age of 40±14 years) who had total thyroidectomy followed by RRA for DTC from January 2012 till April 2014. Patients with positive anti-Tg antibodies and distant metastasis on post-ablative whole body iodine scans(TWBIS) were excluded. Baseline STg was used to predict successful ablation (follow-up STg <2 ng/ml, negative diagnostic WBIS and negative ultrasound neck) at 7-12 months follow-up. Results: Overall, successful ablation was noted in 37 (58%) patients while ablation failed in 27 (42%). Using the ROC curve, a cut-off level of baseline STg level of ≤14.5 ng/ml was found to be most sensitive and specific for predicting successful ablation. Successful ablation was thus noted in 25/28 (89%) of patients with baseline STg ≤ 14.5 ng/ml and 12/36 (33%) patients with baseline STg >14.5 ng/ml ((p value <0.05). Age >40 years, female gender, PTS >2 cm, papillary histopathology, positive cervical nodes and positive TWBIS were significant predictors of ablation failure. Conclusions: We conclude that in patients with total thyroidectomy followed by I-131 ablation for DTC, the baseline STg level is a good predictor of successful ablation based on a stringent triple negative criteria (i.e. follow-up STg < 2 ng/ ml, a negative DWBIS and a negative US neck).     

首次131I治疗前刺激性甲状腺球蛋白在预测颈部及远处转移性分化型甲状腺癌的意义

背景与目的：由于受到残余甲状腺等多种因素的影响,刺激性甲状腺球蛋白(stimulated thyroglobulin,sTg)在首次¹³¹I治疗前对分化型甲状腺癌(differentiated thyroid carcinoma,DTC)复发转移的诊断价值尚有争议。该研究旨在探讨sTg在首次¹³¹I治疗前预测DTC患者颈部及远处转移的意义。方法：106例行甲状腺全切术及颈淋巴结清扫术的DTC患者,首次¹³¹I治疗前1天测sTg水平,¹³¹I治疗后5~7 d行¹³¹I全身显像和SPECT/CT断层融合显像。根据是否存在转移,将所有患者分为无转移组(M0)和颈部淋巴结转移组(M1)和远处转移组(M2),比较组间sTg值差异有无统计学意义,并通过ROC曲线及最佳诊断界值点(diagnostic critical point,DCP)评估sTg值预测转移的价值。结果：M0组、M1组和M2组的sTg值的四分位数间距分别为0.47~9.57、12.34~50.86和69.47~462.00 ng/mL。M1组、M2组与M0组的sTg相比差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01和P<0.01)。sTg值的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.872、0.964,DCP分别为23.95和20.93 ng/mL,灵敏度、特异度、准确度分别为68.42%、100%、92.31%和85.71%、100%、95.40%。结论：首次¹³¹I治疗前检测sTg值对DTC转移有重要的预测价值,对远处转移的预测价值更大。     

Radioiodine ablation of post-surgical thyroid remnants after preparation with recombinant human TSH: why, how and when.

AIMS: The use of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) represents one of the most exciting innovations in the field of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) management, but the use of rhTSH for radioiodine post-surgical thyroid remnant ablation is still controversial. The aim of this review is to provide the reader with an analysis of the literature regarding the use of rhTSH for the radioiodine ablation of post-surgical thyroid remnants. METHODS: We performed a literature search of the most relevant papers in the PubMed database. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: To date, five prospective studies have been published regarding this topic and there is strong evidence of the effectiveness of rhTSH, at least when high doses of 131I are used. Vice-versa, data regarding the outcome of ablation using low doses (30 mCi) are quite different in the studies published. So the problem of the amount of 131I to be administered and the influence of iodine intake is still open. In fact, the results of some studies suggest that 131I uptake could be particularly dependent on iodine intake during the euthyroid state and when low doses of 131I are used. This could be the reason for the reduced radioiodine uptake observed in other studies. However, also when rhTSH stimulation had produced a reduced iodine uptake, this was at least partially compensated for by an increased half-time in thyroid cells. So rhTSH stimulation appears to have pathophysiological bases which all lead to a powerful destructive effect by 131I on thyroid cells. All the data in the literature appear concordant that rhTSH is safe and associated to a good quality of life and the problem of costs appears negligible when compared to the benefits for the patient. In most cases, the use of rhTSH, for radioiodine ablation of post-surgical thyroid remnants can represent the best therapeutic option that we can offer to the patient.     

分化型甲状腺癌术后再次131I治疗前sTg与sTg/sup-Tg对淋巴结转移的预测价值

目的:探讨分化型甲状腺癌（DTC）患者术后行再次131I治疗前刺激性甲状腺球蛋白（sTg）与淋巴结转移、转移灶数目和直径的关系，并通过ROC曲线评估sTg及sTg/抑制性Tg（sup-Tg）比值对淋巴结转移的预测价值。方法:选取DTC术后再次131I治疗的患者109例，根据131I显像（whole body scan，WBS）等影像学结果以及转移癌灶数目、直径分组，分别比较各组间sTg的差异；分析转移灶数目、直径与sTg水平的相关性；通过ROC曲线，获得sTg预测淋巴结转移的最佳诊断界值点，对sTg<最佳诊断界值点的患者进一步行sTg/sup-Tg与淋巴结转移关系的ROC曲线，获得预测淋巴结转移的sTg/sup-Tg最佳诊断界值点。结果:淋巴结转移组以及其中的颈侧加纵隔区、中央区转移各组中sTg水平均高于无转移组，差异有统计学意义（分别H=-6.100、-3.974、-5.865，均P＜0.05）。淋巴结转移组sTg水平转移灶数目≥3处组高于2处组高于1处组（H=21.791、-16.457、-31.680、-15.223，均P＜0.05）；转移灶直径>2 cm组高于1.1~2 cm组高于≤1 cm组（H=36.127、-22.867、-46.326、-23.458，均P＜0.05）；Spearman相关分析显示:淋巴结转移灶数目、直径均与sTg水平呈正相关（r=0.581、0.527，均P=0.000）。再次131I治疗前sTg预测淋巴结转移的曲线下面积为0.879，最佳诊断界值点为4.615 ng/ml，约登指数为0.615，对应的敏感度、特异度和准确性分别为84.80％、76.70％和82.57%。sTg<4.615 ng/ml的35例患者，其sTg/sup-Tg比值预测淋巴结转移的ROC曲线下面积为0.935，最佳诊断界值点为4.559，灵敏度、特异度和准确率分别为91.70%、95.70%和94.29%。结论:sTg对DTC术后再次131I治疗前淋巴结转移及转移灶数目、直径均有一定的预测价值。sTg联合sTg/sup-Tg比值可提高对DTC患者转移灶的检出率。     

Importance of Postoperative Stimulated Thyroglobulin Level at the Time of 131I Ablation Therapy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Background: Serum thyroglobulin detection plays an essential role during the follow-up of thyroid cancerpatients treated with total/near total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation. The aim of this retrospective studywas to evaluate the relationship between stimulated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level at the time of high dose 131Iablation and risk of recurrence, using a three-level classification in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer(DTC) according to the ATA guidelines. Also we investigated the relationship between postoperative stimulatedTg at the time of ablation and DxWBS results at 8-10 months thereafter. Materials and Methods: Patientswith radioiodine accumulation were regarded as scan positive (scan+). If there was no relevant pathologicalradioiodine accumulation or minimal local accumulation in the thyroid bed region, this were regarded as scannegative (scan-) at the time of DxWBS. We classified patients in 3 groups as low, intermediate and high riskgroup for assessment of risk of recurrence according to the revised ATA guidelines. Also, we divided patients into3 groups based on the stimulated serum Tg levels at the time of 131I ablation therapy. Groups 1-3 consisted ofpatients who had Tg levels of ≤2 ng/ml, 2-10 ng/ml, and ≥10 ng/ml, respectively. Results: A total of 221 consecutivepatients were included. In the high risk group according to the ATA guideline, while 45.5% of demonstratedScan(+) Tg(+), 27.3% of patients demonstrated Scan(-) Tg(-); in the intermediate group, the figures were 2.3%and 90.0% while in the low risk group, they were 0.6% and 96.4%. In 9 of 11 patients with metastases (81.8%),stimulated serum Tg level at the time of radioiodine ablation therapy was over 10, however in 1 patient (9.1%)it was <2ng/mL and in one patient it was 2-10ng/mL (p=0.005). Aggressive subtypes of DTC were found in 8 of221 patients and serum Tg levels were ≤2ng/ml in 4 of these 8. Conclusions: We conclude that TSH-stimulatedserum thyroglobulin level at the time of ablation may not determine risk of recurrence. Therefore, DxWBSshould be performed at 8-12 months after ablation therapy.     

Contemporary considerations in adjuvant radioiodine treatment of adults with differentiated thyroid cancer

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy with a growing incidence worldwide. The initial conventional management is surgery, followed by consideration of ¹³¹I treatment that includes three options. These are termed remnant ablation (targeting benign thyroid remnant), adjuvant (targeting presumed microscopic DTC) and known disease (targeting macroscopic DTC) treatments. Some experts mostly rely on clinicopathologic assessment for recurrence risk to select patients for the ¹³¹I treatment. Others, in addition, apply radioiodine imaging to guide their treatment planning, termed theranostics (aka theragnostics or radiotheragnostics). In patients with low-risk DTC, remnant ablation rather than adjuvant treatment is generally recommended and, in this setting, the ATA recommends a low ¹³¹I activity. ¹³¹I adjuvant treatment is universally recommended in patients with high-risk DTC (a primary tumor of any size with gross extrathyroidal extension) and is generally recommended in intermediate-risk DTC (primary tumor >4 cm in diameter, locoregional metastases, microscopic extrathyroidal extension, aggressive histology or vascular invasion). The optimal amount of ¹³¹I activity for adjuvant treatment is controversial, but experts reached a consensus that the ¹³¹I activity should be greater than that for remnant ablation. The main obstacles to establishing timely evidence through randomized clinical trials for ¹³¹I therapy include years-to-decades delay in recurrence and low disease-specific mortality. This mini-review is intended to update oncologists on the most recent clinical, pathologic, laboratory and imaging variables, as well as on the current ¹³¹I therapy-related definitions and management paradigms, which should optimally equip them for individualized patient guidance and treatment.     

分化型甲状腺癌术后99Tcm-MIBI显像与131Ⅰ显像比较及其意义

目的:探讨分化型甲状腺癌(DTC)术后99 Tcm-MIBI显像结果的意义。方法:300例DTC术后患者中随机选取69例行99 Tcm-MIBI显像。2名有经验核医学医师盲法阅片。将99 Tcm-MIBI显像结果与治疗后131I显像结果比较。另对经高分辨CT或治疗后131I显像诊断肺转移和无肺转移患者行半定量分析,比较靶本底比值(T/B)。结果:排除1例死于血管肉瘤者,余按照手术方式及131I治疗情况分为3组(A组:44例甲状腺癌术后拟131I治疗组;B组:22例有再次131I治疗指征组;C组:2例甲状腺大部切除组)。A组99 Tcm-MIBI显示残余甲状腺34.1%(15/44),转移灶30.0%(6/20)。B组99 Tcm-MIBI显示复发及转移灶63.6%(7/11)。C组99 Tcm-MI-BI显示残余甲状腺100.0%(2/2),并为唯一一种发现颈部转移显像方法。5例患者同时存在多种性质转移灶:MI-BI+I-,MIBI-I+及MIBI+I+。肺转移与无肺转移患者T/B比值差异无统计学意义。结论:99 Tcm-MIBI可发现分化好及失分化病灶,联合131I显像为DTC术后患者选择治疗方式提供重要信息,有临床应用价值。     

分化型甲状腺癌术后^99Tc^m—MIBI显像与^131 I显像比较及其意义

目的：探讨分化型甲状腺癌（DTC）术后^99Tc^m—MIBI显像结果的意义。方法：300例DTC术后患者中随机选取69例行^99Tc^m-MIBI显像。2名有经验核医学医师盲法阅片。将^99Tc^mMIBI显像结果与治疗后^131I显像结果比较。另对经高分辨CT或治疗后^131 I显像诊断肺转移和无肺转移患者行半定量分析,比较靶本底比值（T／B）。结果：排除1例死于血管肉瘤者,余按照手术方式及^131 I治疗情况分为3组（A组：44例甲状腺癌术后拟^131I治疗组;B组：22例有再次^131I治疗指征组;C组：2例甲状腺大部切除组）。A组^99 Tc^m-MIBI显示残余甲状腺34．1％（15／44）,转移灶30．0％（6／20）。B组^9^Tc ^m-MIBI显示复发及转移灶63．6％（7/11）。C组^99Tc^mMI—BI显示残余甲状腺100．0％（2／2）,并为唯一一种发现颈部转移显像方法。5例患者同时存在多种性质转移灶：MI—BI＋I-,MIBI-I＋及MIBI＋I＋。肺转移与无肺转移患者T/B比值差异无统计学意义。结论：^99Tc^m -MIBI可发现分化好及失分化病灶,联合^131 I显像为DTC术后患者选择治疗方式提供重要信息,有临床应用价值。     

Correlation of thyroglobulin measurements and radioiodine scans in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer

Correlation of radioiodine (131I) scans and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) concentrations were performed in the follow-up of 85 differentiated thyroid cancer patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy. Tg results were also compared with the control group of 33 thyroidectomized patients with no evidence of thyroid carcinoma and normal values for Tg established. Excellent correlation between Tg and scans was noted in patients with scan evidence of metastasis distant from the neck. Poor correlation was present in patients with scan evidence of local neck metastasis only, thyroid bed activity, and those with mediastinal activity. In addition, in 8% of the patients, the Tg assay could not be performed because of interfering antibodies. The conclusion is that elevated Tg concentration is a good indicator of metastasis outside of the neck as detected by 131I scans. Caution should be used when Tg alone is used in evaluating local neck metastasis demonstrated on scans. The significance of mediastinal activity warrants further investigation.     

Clinical approach in patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma and negative 131I whole body scintigraphy: importance of 99mTc MIBI scan combined with high resolution neck ultrasonography.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to define the clinical impact of MIBI scan combined with neck ultrasonography on the detection of metastates in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients with elevated serum Tg levels but negative 131I scan (non-functioning DTC). METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-two patients with non-functioning DTC, 19 patients with 131I-positive metastases (functioning DTC), and 24 DTC patients who were disease free after therapy (no cancer patients) were enrolled. 131I scan was performed after administration of low diagnostic and high therapeutic tracer doses. Early and delayed images were obtained after MIBI injection. Neck-chest CT scan and/or MRI were also performed in patients with non-functioning DTC. RESULTS: In the group of non-functioning DTC patients, metastatic foci were detected in 71/82 cases: in the cervical lymph nodes in 51 cases (sensitivity 94.1% with MIBI, 90.2% with US, 35.3% with CT/MRI), mediastinal lymph nodes in 31 cases (sensitivity 100% with MIBI, 58% with CT/MRI), lungs in 8 cases (sensitivity 100% with both MIBI and CT/MRI), and bone in 2 cases (sensitivity 50% with MIBI, 100% with MDP bone scan). Among the 19 patients with functioning DTC a close relationship between MIBI and 131I findings was observed. As regards the 24 tumor-free patients, MIBI was correctly negative in all cases, while US visualized enlarged cervical lymph nodes that were suspected to be neoplastic but proved to be inflammatory lesions at cytology in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these data, MIBI scan combined with neck US could be proposed as a first-line diagnostic imaging modality in the follow-up of DTC patients with elevated serum Tg levels and negative 131I scan.     

^131碘全身显像、甲状腺球蛋白测定及颈部超声检查在分化型甲状腺癌^131碘治疗随访中的意义

目的：探讨^131I一全身显像（^131I—WBS）、甲状腺球蛋白（Tg）测定及颈部B超检查在分化型甲状腺癌术后^131I治疗随访中的意义。方法：31例分化型甲状腺癌术后^131I治疗患者,治疗前后及随访中行甲状腺吸^131I率、颈部B超、^131I显像及甲状腺球蛋白测定。结果：治疗剂量^131I—WBS较诊断剂量^131I—WBS多发现3例转移灶;64人次Tg与^131I—WBS检查结果：Tg与^131I—WBS均阳性者19／64,均阴性者35／64,Tg阳性而^131I—WBS阴性者5／64,Tg阴性而^131I—WBS阳性者5／64;B超发现颈部淋巴结增大者为80．6％。结论：^131I治疗分化型甲状腺癌转移灶效果突出,^131I—WBS、Tg测定与颈部B超在其随访中联合应用可以相互补充,具有重要意义。