Thyroglobulin antibodies could be a potential predictive marker for papillary thyroid carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Immunology

Background:

• Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is linked to an increased risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
• The association between thyroid autoimmunity and cancer development requires further investigation.
• Understanding the role of thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) in PTC is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if preoperative TgAb levels can predict PTC in patients with thyroid nodules.
• To assess the association between preoperative TgAb and lymph node metastases in PTC patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 854 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy.
• Analysis of clinical, preoperative TSH and TgAb levels, and histopathological characteristics.
• Inclusion of patients with benign (447) and malignant (407) thyroid nodules.

Main Results:

• Positive TgAb was significantly associated with larger tumour size, PTC presence, elevated TSH, HT, and lymph node metastasis.
• Tumour size, preoperative TgAb positivity, and elevated TSH were independent risk factors for PTC.
• A positive correlation was observed between TgAb and lymph node metastases in PTC patients.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative TgAb positivity is an independent risk factor for PTC.
• TgAb shows a positive correlation with PTC in patients with indeterminate nodules.
• Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the predictive role of TgAb in PTC.