Retinoic acid for redifferentiation of thyroid cancer--does it hold its promise?

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of isotretinoin for improving (131)I uptake in recurrent/metastasized thyroid cancer with no/insufficient (131)I uptake.

Design: Retrospective analysis of 25 patients treated between June 1999 and May 2001.

Methods: 15 female and 10 male patients were given isotretinoin at 1 mg/kg for 3 months, followed by (131)I treatment.

Diagnostic value of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography for detection and treatment control of malignant germ cell tumors.

Introduction: The role of positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) is currently under evaluation in urologic oncology. The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of [18F]FDG positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG-PET) in the detection and treatment control of malignant germ cell tumors compared to computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: Thirty-two PET studies and CT scans were carried out in 23 patients with histologically proven germ cell tumors (10 seminomas, 12 non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT), 1 unclassified serologic recurrent disease) Lugano stage I-III.