Correlation analysis of serum thyroglobulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, and thyroid-cancer risk in thyroid nodule surgery

Jin-Hao Shuai; Zhao-Fang Leng; Peng Wang; Yi-Chi Ji

doi:10.12998/wjcc.v11.i27.6407

Correlation analysis of serum thyroglobulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, and thyroid-cancer risk in thyroid nodule surgery

World J Clin Cases. 2023 Sep 26;11(27):6407-6414. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i27.6407.

Authors

Jin-Hao Shuai¹, Zhao-Fang Leng², Peng Wang², Yi-Chi Ji²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan 620000, Sichuan Province, China. jinhaoshuai236@163.com.
² Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan 620000, Sichuan Province, China.

Abstract

Background: Thyroglobulin (Tg) is one of the markers of thyroid cancer, and its concentration may be elevated in patients with malignant thyroid tumors. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is secreted by the pituitary gland, which has a significant impact on thyroid gland function. Excessively high or low TSH levels may be associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer. Thus, in-depth studies on the association of serum Tg and TSH levels with thyroid cancer risk in patients with thyroid nodules are warranted. This can help determine whether Tg and TSH levels can predict the degree of malignancy of thyroid nodules, which can in turn guide doctors in making accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions. Furthermore, such studies can provide more accurate diagnostic methods for thyroid nodules and help patients become aware of the presence of thyroid cancer as early as possible, thereby improving the success rate of treatment and prognosis.

Aim: To investigate the association of serum Tg and TSH levels with the risk of thyroid cancer in patients undergoing thyroid nodule surgery.

Methods: The clinical data and laboratory examination results of 130 patients who underwent thyroid nodule surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Furthermore, their preoperative serum Tg and TSH levels were recorded. Histopathological examination conducted during follow-up revealed the presence of thyroid cancer. Correlation analysis were used to analyze the association of Tg and TSH levels with the risk of thyroid cancer.

Results: Of the 130 patients, 60 were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between serum Tg levels and the risk of thyroid cancer (P < 0.05). This suggests that high serum Tg levels are associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer. However, no significant correlation was observed between serum TSH levels and the risk of thyroid cancer (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: In patients who underwent thyroid nodule surgery, serum Tg levels exhibited a significant correlation with the risk of thyroid cancer but serum TSH levels did not. These findings suggest that serum Tg can serve as an important biomarker for assessing the risk of thyroid cancer in these patients.

Keywords: Prediction of thyroid nodules; Risk correlation; Serum thyroglobulin; Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid nodule surgery.