The first postoperative-stimulated serum thyroglobulin is a prognostic factor for thyroid microcarcinomas

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Nuclear Medicine

Background:

• Thyroglobulin (Tg) levels after total thyroidectomy predict outcomes in differentiated thyroid cancer.
• Limited data exists on Tg's prognostic value in thyroid microcarcinomas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if the first postoperative stimulated thyroglobulin (1stSTg) measurement predicts prognosis in microcarcinoma patients.
• To identify prognostic factors for disease persistence or recurrence.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 150 differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients, with 54 microcarcinoma cases selected.
• Assessed 1stSTg, initial presentation, and treatment in relation to outcomes.
• Defined worse prognosis as neoplasm persistence/recurrence.

Main Results:

• Disease persistence/recurrence occurred in 27.8% of microcarcinoma patients.
• Higher 1stSTg levels (19.01±44.18 vs. 2.19±2.54 ng/dL) were significantly associated with recurrence (p<0.0001).
• 1stSTg (OR=1.242) and follow-up time (OR=1.027) were independent predictors of recurrence risk, with a cutoff of 1.6 ng/dL.

Conclusions:

• The 1stSTg measurement is a significant independent predictor of disease persistence/recurrence in differentiated thyroid microcarcinoma.
• A 1stSTg level of 1.6 ng/dL can identify patients at higher risk for persistent disease.