title: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction-based detection of thyroid-specific gene expression in fine-needle aspirate for thyroid cancer recurrence evaluation: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite improved surveillance for patients after total thyroidectomy for cancer, there has yet to be a diagnostic method that detects recurrence with 100% accuracy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 60-year-old woman with a family history of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) underwent total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine ablation. On postoperative surveillance, ultrasound examination of the neck demonstrated a focus concerning for recurrence and a fine-needle aspirate (FNA) was performed. The cytology report was nondiagnostic and, hence, RNA was extracted from the specimen followed by reverse transcription (cDNA), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to detect thyroid-specific gene expression (thyroglobulin =Tg; sodium-iodide symporter = NIS; thyroperoxidase = TPO).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of select thyroid-specific genes was demonstrated, and given the patient's remarkable cancer and family history, surgical resection was elected. Final pathology demonstrated follicular adenoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case demonstrates a novel approach used in the evaluation for recurrent thyroid cancer as an adjunct to FNA cytology.
authors.affiliation: Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.|Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Saïd C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Azoury
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aufforth
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Zhiming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Naris
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nilubol
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Electron
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kebebew
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D027981:Symporters / Q000235:genetics*; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000099209:Sodium-Iodide Symporters
chemical_list: D027981:Symporters; D000099209:Sodium-Iodide Symporters
keywords: diagnosis; fine-needle aspirate; polymerase chain reaction (PCR); recurrence; thyroid cancer