[Use of tumor markers in monitoring thyroid carcinoma]

The authors report on their experience regarding the use of tumours markers for the pre-operative monitoring and subsequent follow-up of patients suffering from thyroid carcinoma. All patients were subjected to radio-immuno-assay for circulating thyroglobulin, a valuable indicator of residual and metastatic thyroid tissue. The patients suffering from medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and their immediate families were also monitored by periodic thyrocalcitonin assay. A further tumour marker assayed was CEA, levels of which are raised in the presence of thyroid neoplasms at an advanced or metastasizing stage. The authors conclude by presenting the results obtained and confirm the usefulness of these tumour markers in the study and follow-up of patients with thyroid carcinoma.