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Minimal Invasive Resection of Large Retrosternal Thyroid Goiter
Published on: September 20, 2024
A decrease of calcitonin serum concentrations less than 50 percent 30 minutes after thyroid surgery suggests
A Faggiano1, F Milone, V Ramundo
1Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione SDN, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Napoli 1 Centro, 80143 Napoli, Italy. afaggian@unina.it
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|June 11, 2010
Summary
Intraoperative monitoring of calcitonin levels after medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) surgery can predict treatment success. A decrease greater than 50% 30 minutes post-surgery indicates successful tumor removal.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Oncology
- Oncologic Diagnostics
Background:
- Prognosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) hinges on surgical completeness.
- Predicting complete tumor removal intraoperatively remains challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess intraoperative calcitonin monitoring as a predictor of surgical outcome in MTC patients.
- To determine the reliability of calcitonin levels in predicting disease persistence post-surgery.
Main Methods:
- Twenty patients with MTC underwent total thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection.
- Calcitonin levels were measured pre-operatively and at 10 and 30 minutes post-excision.
- Histological examination confirmed MTC in 10 patients and C cell hyperplasia in 10.
Main Results:
- A calcitonin decrease >50% at 30 minutes post-surgery significantly differentiated cured patients from those with persistent disease.
- A similar significant distinction was not observed at 10 minutes post-surgery.
Conclusions:
- A calcitonin decrease <50% at 30 minutes post-thyroidectomy suggests residual MTC.
- Intraoperative calcitonin monitoring is a valuable tool for predicting surgical completeness in MTC patients.
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