Pedro Weslley Rosario1, Gabriela Franco Mourão2, Maria Regina Calsolari2. 1. Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Rua Domingos Vieira, 590, Santa Efigênia, CEP 30150-240, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. pedrowsrosario@gmail.com. 2. Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Rua Domingos Vieira, 590, Santa Efigênia, CEP 30150-240, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Most patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and lymph node metastases (LNM) undergoing reoperation do not show apparent disease after this procedure, but serum thyroglobulin (Tg) continues to be elevated in part of them. This study evaluated adjuvant therapy with 131I in these patients. METHODS: Patients with PTC and LNM diagnosed after initial therapy were selected. Patients undergoing reoperation and those without apparent disease after this procedure, but with nonstimulated Tg ≥1 ng/ml 6 months after reoperation, were included. The first 25 patients were submitted to therapy with 131I (groups A) and the subsequent 30 patients did not receive this therapy (group B). RESULTS: Groups A and B were similar. During further follow-up, 21 patients developed structural disease and 34 continued without detectable disease (eight achieved complete remission). The outcomes were similar in groups A and B. Patients with Tg reduction >50% after reoperation tended to have a lower risk of recurrence (22.7 versus 48.5%), notably distant metastases (0 versus 15.1%), and were more likely to achieve complete remission (28 versus 3%). Patients with LNM FDG-positive had a higher risk of recurrence (54.5 versus 11.7%) and were less likely to achieve complete remission (3 versus 29.4%) after reoperation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that therapy with 131I apparently does not prevent recurrences among patients who continue to have elevated Tg after neck reoperation. Further studies involving these patients are necessary, especially those who are at high risk of recurrence.
BACKGROUND: Most patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and lymph node metastases (LNM) undergoing reoperation do not show apparent disease after this procedure, but serum thyroglobulin (Tg) continues to be elevated in part of them. This study evaluated adjuvant therapy with 131I in these patients. METHODS:Patients with PTC and LNM diagnosed after initial therapy were selected. Patients undergoing reoperation and those without apparent disease after this procedure, but with nonstimulated Tg ≥1 ng/ml 6 months after reoperation, were included. The first 25 patients were submitted to therapy with 131I (groups A) and the subsequent 30 patients did not receive this therapy (group B). RESULTS: Groups A and B were similar. During further follow-up, 21 patients developed structural disease and 34 continued without detectable disease (eight achieved complete remission). The outcomes were similar in groups A and B. Patients with Tg reduction >50% after reoperation tended to have a lower risk of recurrence (22.7 versus 48.5%), notably distant metastases (0 versus 15.1%), and were more likely to achieve complete remission (28 versus 3%). Patients with LNM FDG-positive had a higher risk of recurrence (54.5 versus 11.7%) and were less likely to achieve complete remission (3 versus 29.4%) after reoperation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that therapy with 131I apparently does not prevent recurrences among patients who continue to have elevated Tg after neck reoperation. Further studies involving these patients are necessary, especially those who are at high risk of recurrence.
Entities:
Keywords:
Elevated thyroglobulin; Lymph node metastases; Radioiodine; Reoperation; Thyroid cancer
Authors: Dominique Delbeke; R Edward Coleman; Milton J Guiberteau; Manuel L Brown; Henry D Royal; Barry A Siegel; David W Townsend; Lincoln L Berland; J Anthony Parker; George Zubal; Valerie Cronin Journal: J Nucl Med Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 10.057