Preoperative TSH and thyroglobulin levels: would it predict thyroid cancer?

Objective: The goal of this study is to determine whether preoperative TSH and Tg levels can be used as predictors of thyroid cancer.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: Charts of patients who had undergone thyroid surgery between 2006 and 2012 were subjected to review. Demographic data, preoperative TSH and Tg levels, and final histopathological results were recorded. Patients were divided depending on preoperative TSH and Tg levels. Group 1 consisted of patients with elevated TSH and Tg, Group 2 had elevated TSH only, Group 3 - elevated Tg only, and in Group 4 neither TSH nor Tg were elevated.

Results: 653 patient charts were reviewed and 386 patients were excluded due to incomplete information. 212 patients were female. Mean age was 50 years. Group 1 included 52 patients, 25 of them (48%) had well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC). Relative risk was 1.59 and the odds ratio amounted to 1.79. Group 2 included 80 patients, 36 (45%) of whom had WDTC. Group 3 consisted of 58 patients, 23 (39.6%) of them with WDTC. Group 4 comprised 77 patients, where WDTC was present in 16 (20.8%) cases.

Conclusion: TSH and Tg levels can aid in preoperative assessment of a thyroid nodule.