Elevated basal calcitonin levels in a patient with a hurthle-cell carcinoma of the thyroid and neuroendocrine differentiation: report of a case.
A thyroid nodule with elevated plasma levels of calcitonin is usually suggestive of a medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC); however, thyroid and extrathyroid conditions have been reported with elevated plasma calcitonin levels in the absence of MTC. We report the case of a patient with a thyroid nodule and an elevated basal plasma calcitonin level of 315 pg/ml (normal value <100 pg/ml) who underwent a left hemithyroidectomy. Interestingly, histopathological examination revealed a Hurthle-cell carcinoma with positive neuroendocrine (NE) markers such as calcitonin and synapthophysin, but not with chromogranin staining. Thus, we discuss the phenomenon of non-NE tumors showing positivity for NE markers.
Munitiz
Vicente
V
Department of Surgery, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Ctra. Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, Murcia, 30120, Spain.
Martinez-Barba
Enrique
E
Riquelme
Juan
J
Rodriguez
Jose Manuel
JM
Piñero
Antonio
A
Parrilla
Pascual
P
D018249:Adenoma, Oxyphilic / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002116:Calcitonin