title: [Tests of stimulation of calcitonin secretion. Value in medullary cancer of the thyroid].
abstract: The detection of high circulating levels of calcitonin is a most valuable procedure to diagnose advanced cases of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. However, the diagnosis of a primitive tumor in the early stages of development (as in cases of the familial form of the disease) or of a metastasis following ablation of the tumor is more difficult. In the latter cases, the levels of circulating calcitonin may be within normal limits, and for diagnosis one must then resort to tests to stimulate the secretion of calcitonin. We are reporting from our personal experiences the advantages, disadvantages and inconveniences of the three most well-known tests. All patients responded positively to administration of calcium or pentagastrin. The alcohol test, however, produced inconsistent results.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010418:Pentagastrin; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012636:Secretory Rate; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D002116:Calcitonin; D010418:Pentagastrin; D002118:Calcium
vernacular_title: Epreuves de stimulation de la sécrétion de calcitonine. Intérêt dans les cancers médullaires de la thyroïde