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Trace elements and thyroid cancer
Zaichick VYe1, A F Tsyb, B M Vtyurin
1Medical Radiological Research Centre, Kaluga Region, Russia.
The Analyst
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Trace element analysis reveals significant differences in thyroid nodules, with lower iodine in malignant cases. This finding supports heavy metal toxicity in thyroid cancer and suggests iodine ratios for diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Oncology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Trace elements play a role in thyroid cancer etiology and diagnostics.
- Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) is a method for quantifying trace elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the importance of trace elements in thyroid cancer etiology and diagnostics.
- To compare trace element concentrations in malignant, benign, and normal thyroid tissues.
Main Methods:
- Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used to measure concentrations of Ag, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, I, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, and Zn.
- Thyroid tissue samples from 135 patients (45 malignant, 90 benign) and 65 controls were analyzed.
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reference material H-4 was used for quality control.
Main Results:
- Paranodular tissue showed higher Ag, Co, Hg, I, and Rb levels in both malignant and benign nodules compared to controls.
- A slight selenium (Se) deficiency was observed in nodules compared to controls.
- Iodine (I) concentrations were approximately 15 times lower in malignant nodules than in benign nodules.
Conclusions:
- Heavy metal toxicity may contribute to thyroid cancer development, especially when defense mechanisms are insufficient.
- The ratio of iodine concentration between nodular and paranodular tissue shows potential for in vivo thyroid cancer diagnostics.