Postoperative stimulated thyroglobulin of less than 1 ng/ml as a criterion to spare low-risk patients with papillary thyroid cancer from radioactive iodine ablation.

Background: Stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) ≤1 ng/mL after thyroidectomy (after L-thyroxine [L-T4] withdrawal or administration of recombinant human thyrotropin [rhTSH]) has been proposed as a criterion to spare patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), who are at low risk of recurrence, from ablation with iodine-131 ((131)I). The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the recurrence rate using this approach.

Methods: This prospective study included 136 patients with PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy with apparently complete tumor resection and who presented no signs of persistent disease after surgery.

Value of diagnostic radioiodine whole-body scanning after initial therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer at intermediate and high risk for recurrence.

Background: Diagnostic radioiodine whole-body scanning (DxWBS) in combination with stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) (i.e., measurement after levothyroxine [L-T4] withdrawal or recombinant human TSH administration) continues to be recommended for patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) at high or intermediate risk for recurrence with negative basal Tg and ultrasonography (US) after ablation.

Ultrasonographic screening for thyroid cancer in siblings of patients with apparently sporadic papillary carcinoma.

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown a higher risk of thyroid cancer among individuals who have a relative with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) compared to those without a family history. This study evaluated the prevalence of thyroid cancer among subjects with only one first-degree relative (sibling) with PTC who had no palpable nodules, factors predictive of this malignancy, and the characteristics of tumors discovered during ultrasonographic screening.

Methods: A total of 757 siblings of 447 patients with apparently sporadic PTC were examined.

Does undetectable basal Tg measured with a highly sensitive assay in the absence of antibodies and combined with normal ultrasonography ensure the absence of disease in patients treated for thyroid carcinoma?

It has been proposed that, in patients treated for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, undetectable basal thyroglobulin (Tg) levels measured with a highly sensitive assay in the absence of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and combined with negative neck ultrasonography (US) ensured the absence of disease. We report a series of five patients with well-differentiated (papillary) carcinoma submitted to total thyroidectomy with apparently complete tumor resection, followed by remnant ablation with (131)I (100-150 mCi), who had no distant metastases upon initial post-therapy whole-body scanning. When tumor recurrence or persistence was detected, these patients presented undetectable basal Tg (0.

Recombinant human TSH for thyroid remnant ablation with (131)I in children and adolescents with papillary carcinoma.

Background: The objective of this study was to report the results of a series of 12 patients with papillary carcinoma aged 16 years or younger, who were prepared with recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) for remnant ablation with (131)I. The TSH levels achieved and the safety of 24 cycles of rhTSH administration (ablation and control assessment) are reported.

Methods: All patients were prepared using the same protocol as recommended for adults.

The value of diagnostic whole-body scanning and serum thyroglobulin in the presence of elevated serum thyrotropin during follow-up of anti-thyroglobulin antibody-positive patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma who appeared to be free of disease after total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine ablation.

Background: In the presence of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), serum thyroglobulin (Tg) might be underestimated. Therefore, the American Thyroid Association does not recommend serum Tg after thyroid hormone withdrawal or recombinant human thyrotropin administration (stimulated Tg) and diagnostic whole-body scanning (DxWBS) in TgAb-positive patients who have serum Tg values while on thyroxine (Tg-on-T4) of <1 ng/mL. The objective of this study was to determine, in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who appeared to be free of disease after surgery and ablative treatment, but who had positive serum TgAb, the value of performing DxWBS and obtaining serum Tg under stimulated Tg conditions.

Value of repeat stimulated thyroglobulin testing in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma considered to be free of disease in the first year after ablation.

Background: In patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma considered to be free of the disease after initial therapy, the appropriate timing or necessity of subsequent stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) testing is uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine the value of a repeat stimulated Tg in patients considered to be free of disease 6-12 months after thyroid ablation, and also who continued to have serum Tg <1 ng/mL while on thyrotropin suppressive doses of thyroxine (T4) (Tg/T4), negative anti-Tg antibodies (TgAb), and a normal clinical examination 5 years after their initial therapy.

Methods: The study participants were 203 patients who had total thyroidectomy followed by ablation with (131)I, who were considered to be free of disease 6-12 months after ablation (stimulated Tg <2 ng/mL in the absence of TgAb and negative diagnostic whole-body scanning), who had no recurrence, and who continued to have serum Tg/T4 of <1 ng/mL, negative TgAb and a normal clinical examination 5 years after initial therapy.