Critical evaluation of serum thyroglobulin levels and I-131 scans in post-therapy patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma: concise communication
Serum thyroglobulin measurements by radioimmunoassay were performed in the follow-up of 68 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma undergoing I-131 total-body scans following surgery and/or I-131 therapy. Of 12 patients with distant metastases demonstrated by I-131 scan, thyroglobulin levels were elevated (greater than 60 ng/ml) in nine (75%); the remaining 25% either ranged between 20 and 60 ng/ml or were below 20 ng/ml in spite of having functional metastases. Of six patients with only regional lymph-node metastases demonstrated by I-131 scan, only one (16%) had an elevated thyroglobulin level, while two fell in the 20-60 ng/ml range and three were below 20 ng/ml. Of the remaining patients with no metastatic disease demonstrable by I-131 scan, three (6%) had elevated thyroglobulin levels. These patients were subsequently found to have metastatic disease by other criteria. These results suggest caution in the use of thyroglobulin levels as a replacement for I-131 scans in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Based on our study, however, the two methods complement each other to achieve maximum sensitivity and reliability.
- Research Organization:
- University of Texas System Cancer Center, M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston
- OSTI ID:
- 5176664
- Journal Information:
- J. Nucl. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Nucl. Med.; (United States) Vol. 23:3; ISSN JNMEA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
CARCINOMAS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
GLOBULINS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IODINE 131
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LYMPH NODES
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
MEDICINE
METASTASES
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PROTEINS
RADIOASSAY
RADIOIMMUNOASSAY
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
SURGERY
THYROGLOBULIN
THYROID
TRACER TECHNIQUES