Markedly elevated serum preoperative thyroglobulin predicts radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Repeated radiotherapy brings limited benefits and significant side effects for differentiated thyroid cancer patients (DTC) with radioiodine refractory (RAIR). However, the prognostic role of preoperative thyroglobulin (pre-Tg) in predicting RAIR is unclear.

METHODS:

In the present study, data were retrospectively reviewed from 5173 patients who underwent radiotherapy in the Jiangyuan Hospital from January 2006 to December 2020.

RESULTS:

A total of 1,102 patients with or without repeated radiotherapy were compared (repeated vs. single radiotherapy; n = 199 vs. n = 903). Pre-Tg was significantly elevated in patients with repeated radiotherapy. After the classification of RAIR (non-RAIR, n = 786 vs. RAIR, n = 90), elevated pre-Tg was also correlated with RAIR after univariate and multivariate analyses. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, elevated pre-Tg well predicted RAIR (AUC = 0.76, CI: 0.71-0.82, p < 0.0001). To control the selection bias, the propensity score matching was used. Pre-Tg level was found to be an independent predictor of RAIR (p < 0.001, HR = 7.25, CI: 2.55-20.62).

CONCLUSION:

Our results indicate that markedly elevated pre-Tg level can be served as an independent predictor of RAIR-DTC, which can guide a more precise treatment strategy and/or an active surveillance during surgery and follow-ups.

• Authors: Xian Cheng, Shichen Xu, Yun Zhu, Jing Wu, Jiandong Bao, Huixin Yu, Li Zhang
• Journal: European journal of clinical investigation (Eur J Clin Invest) Vol. 52 Issue 4 Pg. e13721 (Apr 2022) ISSN: 1365-2362 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34855206 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Iodine Radioisotopes
• Thyroglobulin

Topics

• Female
• Humans
• Iodine Radioisotopes (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Preoperative Period
• Retrospective Studies
• Thyroglobulin (blood)
• Thyroid Neoplasms (blood, radiotherapy)
• Treatment Failure