[Recurrence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma without concomitant elevation of serum thyroglobulin: report of two cases]

Rev Med Chil. 2007 Apr;135(4):506-11. doi: 10.4067/s0034-98872007000400014. Epub 2007 May 16.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Thyroid carcinoma is the most prevalent endocrine tumor, and the papillary carcinoma (PC) is the most common histological type. In the follow-up, after thyroidectomy serum thyroglobulin (s-Tg) is used as a marker to evaluate recurrence of thyroid carcinoma. In most cases, this parameter allows an adequate diagnosis, but occasionally s-Tg may miss the detection of a recurrence. We report a 57 year-old female and a 36 year-old male subjected to a total thyroidectomy for a papillary thyroid carcinoma with intermediate and high-risk of recurrence. Both had a cervical recurrence without a concomitant increase in s-Tg levels. In both, Tg staining was positive in the tumor cells. These cases confirm that in these patients, the follow-up must be done with measurement of s-Tg and complementary diagnostic tests.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Biopsy
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / blood*
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / blood*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
  • Thyroglobulin / blood*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / blood*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / surgery

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Thyroglobulin