304 - Elevated calcitonin and procalcitonin levels in non-medullary benign and malignant thyroid nodules
Autor(s): L. Giovanella, M. Maffioli, S. Suriano, R.M. Dorizzi
Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 5, N. 4, 2009 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)
Page(s): 304-7
Background. To evaluate the elevation rate of serum markers calcitonin (CT) and procalcitonin (ProCT) in patients with non-medullary benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods. Before surgery CT and ProCT were measured in sera from 168 patients with histologically proven benign thyroid nodules (n=107) and non-medullary thyroid carcinomas (n=61). Serafrom 112 apparently healthy blood donors wereused as controls. Results. Elevations in CT and ProCT levels wereobserved in 5 (2.9%) and 1 (0.5%) of 168 patients(p<0.01) with benign nodules, but non-medullary thyroid carcinomas. Conclusions. Serum proCT showed a significantly lower false-positive rate than CT in patientswith non-medullary benign and malignant nodules of the thyroid gland.
Key-words: medullary thyroid carcinoma, calcitonin, procalcitonin