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Relationship between thallium-201 uptake and tumour proliferative ability in thyroid nodules
N Kume1, K Suga, K Nishigauchi
1Department of Radiology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, 1144, Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755, Japan.
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Thallium-201 (201Tl) uptake in thyroid nodules correlates with tumor cell proliferation. Delayed 201Tl scans show a stronger association with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index, indicating its utility in assessing tumor activity.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Thyroid nodules require accurate assessment for malignancy.
- Tumor proliferative activity is a key indicator of aggressiveness.
- Non-invasive methods to assess proliferation are valuable in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if thallium-201 (201Tl) scintigraphy can reflect tumor proliferative activity in thyroid nodules.
- To compare 201Tl uptake with the labeling index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in both benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 41 surgically resected thyroid nodules (10 benign, 31 malignant).
- Performed 201Tl scans at 5 minutes (early) and 2 hours (delayed) post-injection.
- Assessed 201Tl uptake visually (grades - to ++).
- Quantified tumor proliferation using immunohistochemical staining for PCNA.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher mean PCNA index in nodules with intense 201Tl uptake (++).
- Correlation between 201Tl uptake and PCNA index observed on both early and delayed scans.
- Delayed 201Tl scans showed a stronger correlation (P=0.009) than early scans (P=0.019).
Conclusions:
- 201Tl uptake, particularly on delayed scans, can serve as an indicator of thyroid nodule tumor proliferative activity.
- This finding supports the potential use of 201Tl scintigraphy in evaluating thyroid nodule aggressiveness.
