[Tumor markers in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer]

Informational value was studied of radioimmunologic analysis of tumor markers, such as thyroglobulin, carcinoembryonic antigen, ferritin, beta 2-microglobulin, CA 19-9, thyrotrophin and free thyroxin in diagnosis of carcinoma of the thyroid gland. Forty-eight patients with carcinoma of the thyroid gland and benign tumors were examined together with 12 essentially healthy subjects. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the methods employed were evaluated along with whole number of false-positive and false-negative results. Tumors of the thyroid gland were verified by histologic studies after surgical excision thereof. Of all the tumors markers approved of, thyroglobulin was found out to have the highest diagnostic sensitivity. Radioimmunologic determination of thyroglobulin in blood can be recommended for use in preoperational diagnosis of carcinoma of the thyroid gland and formation of groups of high risk for development of carcinoma.