Persistent hypercalcitoninemia in patients with medullary thyroid cancer.
Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a highly malignant and progressive disease. Surgery is the only effective treatment. Calcitonin is a significant marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma, and due to its sensitivity it represents a useful tool for the follow-up. The outcome of patients affected by medullary thyroid carcinoma depends on tumor size, lymph node involvement, and adequacy of primary surgical management. In the present study, the authors reviewed their own experience in the cure of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Forty-one patients operated for sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma were included. Indications for surgery, inclusive of lymphectomy techniques, timing of redo surgery, and the meaning of calcitonin levels in highlighting disease are extensively discussed. Patients with elevated calcitonin levels and favorable outcome are considered, together with the various diagnostic tools to be employed during patient workup.
Endocrine Surgical Unit, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. claudiamisso@hotmail.com
Claudia
C
Misso
Filippo
F
Calzolari
Efisio
E
Puxeddu
Roberta
R
Lucchini
Massimo
M
Monacelli
Camillo
C
Giammartino
Alessandro
A
Sanguinetti
Michele
M
d'Ajello
Mark
M
Ragusa
Nicola
N
Avenia
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002116:Calcitonin