Tumor Markers in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma
Author Information
Author(s): Bojunga J, Dragan C, Schumm-Draeger P M, Usadel K H, Kusterer K
Primary Institution: Department of Medicine I, Goethe-University
Hypothesis
Can circulating calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen m-RNA be used as tumor markers in medullary thyroid carcinoma?
Conclusion
Carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA may improve the diagnosis of recurrent disease in medullary thyroid carcinoma, while calcitonin mRNA is not a reliable tumor marker.
Supporting Evidence
- Calcitonin mRNA was not detectable in any patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma.
- Carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA was detected in 72.7% of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma.
- Carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA was detected in 34.4% of controls.
Takeaway
Doctors are trying to find better ways to detect thyroid cancer. They found that one type of test works better than another for spotting problems.
Methodology
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on blood samples from patients diagnosed with medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Limitations
Calcitonin mRNA was not detectable in any patients or controls, limiting its use as a tumor marker.
Participant Demographics
11 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma and 32 controls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.038
Statistical Significance
p = 0.038
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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