Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
03:55
Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Published on: June 9, 2023
524
CA19-9 producing locally advanced papillary thyroid carcinoma: a case report
Hiroki Morikawa1, Takaaki Oba2, Ayaka Kitazawa1
1Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan.
Surgical Case Reports
|April 10, 2024
Summary
Elevated CA19-9 levels may indicate papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This case highlights that some PTCs can produce CA19-9, warranting its consideration in differential diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- CA19-9 is a recognized tumor marker for gastrointestinal and biliary-pancreatic adenocarcinomas.
- The association between CA19-9 and thyroid cancer, specifically papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), is not well-established.
- This report details a rare instance of CA19-9 production in a patient with locally advanced PTC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of CA19-9 as a tumor marker in papillary thyroid carcinoma.
- To present a case study of a patient with PTC who exhibited elevated CA19-9 levels.
- To raise awareness among clinicians regarding PTC as a differential diagnosis for elevated CA19-9.
Main Methods:
- A 66-year-old female patient presented with an incidentally discovered thyroid tumor following elevated serum CA19-9 levels detected during health screening.
- Diagnostic imaging (ultrasonography, computed tomography, bronchoscopy) and fine-needle aspiration cytology confirmed locally advanced papillary thyroid carcinoma with tracheal invasion.
- The patient underwent surgical resection including total thyroidectomy, tracheal sleeve resection, and lymph node dissection, followed by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis.
Main Results:
- Histopathological examination confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma with tracheal invasion (pT4a Ex2 N0) and no lymph node metastasis.
- Immunohistochemical staining revealed positive expression of CA19-9 in the thyroid cancer cells.
- Post-surgical treatment, the patient's serum CA19-9 levels returned to the normal range.
Conclusions:
- Certain types of papillary thyroid carcinoma can produce CA19-9, albeit infrequently.
- Elevated serum CA19-9 levels should prompt consideration and investigation for papillary thyroid carcinoma.
- This finding expands the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with elevated CA19-9, particularly in the context of suspected thyroid malignancy.
