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The impact of preoperative calcitonin screening on the prognosis of patients with medullary thyroid cancer: a retrospective multicenter cohort study

  • 0Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Endocrine +

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June 4, 2024

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June 4, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Routine preoperative calcitonin (Ctn) screening in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) patients leads to more aggressive initial surgery. This approach is associated with improved overall survival, highlighting its potential clinical benefit.

Area Of Science

  • Endocrinology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Oncologic Diagnostics

Background

  • Controversy exists regarding the necessity of routine preoperative calcitonin (Ctn) testing for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
  • Preoperative Ctn levels may influence surgical strategy and extent in MTC management.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate the impact of preoperative calcitonin (Ctn) screening on surgical extent and patient outcomes in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

Main Methods

  • Retrospective multicenter cohort study of 149 MTC patients (2013-2023).
  • Comparison of clinical characteristics, surgical procedures, and outcomes between Ctn-screened and non-screened groups.
  • Kaplan-Meier analysis for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

Main Results

  • 127 patients underwent Ctn screening; 22 did not.
  • Ctn-screened patients received more radical surgery (total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection).
  • Lower rates of recurrence (16.1% vs. 36.4%) and death (0.8% vs. 18.2%) were observed in the Ctn-screened group.
  • Significantly better overall survival in the Ctn-screened group (p=0.001); no significant difference in RFS.

Conclusions

  • Preoperative Ctn screening encourages more radical initial surgical treatment for MTC.
  • This approach may lead to improved long-term patient outcomes.
  • Further cost-effectiveness analysis of routine Ctn screening in thyroid nodule patients is recommended.

Keywords:

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