Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine 2/2015

01-02-2015 | Original Article

Serum thyroglobulin level after radioiodine therapy (Day 3) to predict successful ablation of thyroid remnant in postoperative thyroid cancer

Authors: Yong-il Kim, Hyung-Jun Im, Jin Chul Paeng, Gi Jeong Cheon, Keon Wook Kang, Dong Soo Lee, Do Joon Park, Young Joo Park, June-Key Chung

Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine | Issue 2/2015

Login to get access

Abstract

Objective

The utility of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level, 3 days after radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy, was assessed as a means of predicting successful ablation of thyroid remnant in patients with postoperative thyroid cancer.

Methods

A total of 152 patients with thyroid cancer (mean age = 44.9 ± 13.7 year) undergoing RAI therapy after total thyroidectomy were included. Levels of TSH-stimulated Tg prior to ablation (stimTg) and serum Tg sampled immediately after RAI therapy (Day 3) were measured (immTg). ImmTg samples were collected during patient hospital visits for scheduled follow-up of radioiodine scans. Successful ablation was determined by the second time stimulated Tg levels (≤1 ng/ml) and negative radioiodine uptake at thyroid bed after 6.1 ± 1.1 months of RAI therapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done for immTg, stimTg, change in Tg levels (deltaTg: immTg − stimTg), immTg:stimTg ratio (ratioTg), and other potential clinical and pathologic markers of successful ablation.

Results

Of selected laboratory variables, ratioTg was a significant predictor of successful ablation. StimTg, tumor diameter, metastatic lymph node (LN) numbers, lymphatic invasion were possible clinical markers of successful ablation by univariate analysis. By multivariate analysis, ratioTg (odds ratio = 7.851), stimTg (odds ratio = 16.819), metastatic LN numbers (odds ratio with stimTg = 6.732) proved significant results. Furthermore, combining high ratioTg and low stimTg provided added predictive value.

Conclusions

High ratioTg (reflecting extensive release of Tg to the blood after RAI therapy) and low stimTg (reflecting small remnant thyroid tissue) constitute the indices of successful ablation after RAI therapy. Immediate Tg level could give an useful information on RAI ablation of postoperative thyroid remnant.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Verburg FA, Dietlein M, Lassmann M, Luster M, Reiners C. Why radioiodine remnant ablation is right for most patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2009;36:343–6.CrossRefPubMed Verburg FA, Dietlein M, Lassmann M, Luster M, Reiners C. Why radioiodine remnant ablation is right for most patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2009;36:343–6.CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Pacini F, Schlumberger M, Harmer C, Berg GG, Cohen O, Duntas L, et al. Post-surgical use of radioiodine (131I) in patients with papillary and follicular thyroid cancer and the issue of remnant ablation: a consensus report. Eur J Endocrinol. 2005;153:651–9.CrossRefPubMed Pacini F, Schlumberger M, Harmer C, Berg GG, Cohen O, Duntas L, et al. Post-surgical use of radioiodine (131I) in patients with papillary and follicular thyroid cancer and the issue of remnant ablation: a consensus report. Eur J Endocrinol. 2005;153:651–9.CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Cooper DS, Doherty GM, Haugen BR, Kloos RT, Lee SL, Mandel SJ, et al. Revised American Thyroid Association management guidelines for patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroid. 2009;19:1167–214.CrossRefPubMed Cooper DS, Doherty GM, Haugen BR, Kloos RT, Lee SL, Mandel SJ, et al. Revised American Thyroid Association management guidelines for patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroid. 2009;19:1167–214.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Sawka AM, Thephamongkhol K, Brouwers M, Thabane L, Browman G, Gerstein HC. Clinical review 170: a systematic review and metaanalysis of the effectiveness of radioactive iodine remnant ablation for well-differentiated thyroid cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89:3668–76.CrossRefPubMed Sawka AM, Thephamongkhol K, Brouwers M, Thabane L, Browman G, Gerstein HC. Clinical review 170: a systematic review and metaanalysis of the effectiveness of radioactive iodine remnant ablation for well-differentiated thyroid cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89:3668–76.CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Verburg FA, de Keizer B, Lips CJ, Zelissen PM, de Klerk JM. Prognostic significance of successful ablation with radioiodine of differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Eur J Endocrinol. 2005;152:33–7.CrossRefPubMed Verburg FA, de Keizer B, Lips CJ, Zelissen PM, de Klerk JM. Prognostic significance of successful ablation with radioiodine of differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Eur J Endocrinol. 2005;152:33–7.CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Karam M, Gianoukakis A, Feustel P, Cheema A, Postal E, Cooper J. Influence of diagnostic and therapeutic doses on thyroid remnant ablation rates. Nucl Med Commun. 2003;24:489–95.CrossRefPubMed Karam M, Gianoukakis A, Feustel P, Cheema A, Postal E, Cooper J. Influence of diagnostic and therapeutic doses on thyroid remnant ablation rates. Nucl Med Commun. 2003;24:489–95.CrossRefPubMed
7.
8.
go back to reference Vaisman A, Orlov S, Yip J, Hu C, Lim T, Dowar M, et al. Application of post-surgical stimulated thyroglobulin for radioiodine remnant ablation selection in low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma. Head Neck. 2010;32:689–98.PubMed Vaisman A, Orlov S, Yip J, Hu C, Lim T, Dowar M, et al. Application of post-surgical stimulated thyroglobulin for radioiodine remnant ablation selection in low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma. Head Neck. 2010;32:689–98.PubMed
9.
go back to reference Kendler DB, Vaisman F, Corbo R, Martins R, Vaisman M. Preablation stimulated thyroglobulin is a good predictor of successful ablation in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Clin Nucl Med. 2012;37:545–9.CrossRefPubMed Kendler DB, Vaisman F, Corbo R, Martins R, Vaisman M. Preablation stimulated thyroglobulin is a good predictor of successful ablation in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Clin Nucl Med. 2012;37:545–9.CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Sawka AM, Orlov S, Gelberg J, Stork B, Dowar M, Shaytzag M, et al. Prognostic value of postsurgical stimulated thyroglobulin levels after initial radioactive iodine therapy in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Head Neck. 2008;30:693–700.CrossRefPubMed Sawka AM, Orlov S, Gelberg J, Stork B, Dowar M, Shaytzag M, et al. Prognostic value of postsurgical stimulated thyroglobulin levels after initial radioactive iodine therapy in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Head Neck. 2008;30:693–700.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Park EK, Chung JK, Lim IH, Lee DS, Lee MC, Cho BY. Recurrent/metastatic thyroid carcinomas false negative for serum thyroglobulin but positive by posttherapy I-131 whole body scans. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2009;36:172–9.CrossRefPubMed Park EK, Chung JK, Lim IH, Lee DS, Lee MC, Cho BY. Recurrent/metastatic thyroid carcinomas false negative for serum thyroglobulin but positive by posttherapy I-131 whole body scans. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2009;36:172–9.CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Verkooijen RB, Rietbergen D, Smit JW, Romijn JA, Stokkel MP. A new functional parameter measured at the time of ablation that can be used to predict differentiated thyroid cancer recurrence during follow-up. Eur J Endocrinol. 2007;156:41–7.CrossRefPubMed Verkooijen RB, Rietbergen D, Smit JW, Romijn JA, Stokkel MP. A new functional parameter measured at the time of ablation that can be used to predict differentiated thyroid cancer recurrence during follow-up. Eur J Endocrinol. 2007;156:41–7.CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Tamilia M, Al-Kahtani N, Rochon L, Hier MP, Payne RJ, Holcroft CA, et al. Serum thyroglobulin predicts thyroid remnant ablation failure with 30 mCi iodine-131 treatment in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Nucl Med Commun. 2011;32:212–20.CrossRefPubMed Tamilia M, Al-Kahtani N, Rochon L, Hier MP, Payne RJ, Holcroft CA, et al. Serum thyroglobulin predicts thyroid remnant ablation failure with 30 mCi iodine-131 treatment in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Nucl Med Commun. 2011;32:212–20.CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Bernier MO, Morel O, Rodien P, Muratet JP, Giraud P, Rohmer V, et al. Prognostic value of an increase in the serum thyroglobulin level at the time of the first ablative radioiodine treatment in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2005;32:1418–21.CrossRefPubMed Bernier MO, Morel O, Rodien P, Muratet JP, Giraud P, Rohmer V, et al. Prognostic value of an increase in the serum thyroglobulin level at the time of the first ablative radioiodine treatment in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2005;32:1418–21.CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Vrndic OB, Savin SB, Mijatovic LC, Djukic AA, Jeftic ID, Simonovic STZ. Concentration of thyroglobulin and thyroglobulin-specific autoantibodies in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after treatment with radioactive iodine 131. Lab Med. 2011;42:27–31.CrossRef Vrndic OB, Savin SB, Mijatovic LC, Djukic AA, Jeftic ID, Simonovic STZ. Concentration of thyroglobulin and thyroglobulin-specific autoantibodies in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after treatment with radioactive iodine 131. Lab Med. 2011;42:27–31.CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Mazzaferri EL, Robbins RJ, Spencer CA, Braverman LE, Pacini F, Wartofsky L, et al. A consensus report of the role of serum thyroglobulin as a monitoring method for low-risk patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;88:1433–41.CrossRefPubMed Mazzaferri EL, Robbins RJ, Spencer CA, Braverman LE, Pacini F, Wartofsky L, et al. A consensus report of the role of serum thyroglobulin as a monitoring method for low-risk patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;88:1433–41.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Eustatia-Rutten CF, Smit JW, Romijn JA, van der Kleij-Corssmit EP, Pereira AM, Stokkel MP, et al. Diagnostic value of serum thyroglobulin measurements in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, a structured meta-analysis. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2004;61:61–74.CrossRefPubMed Eustatia-Rutten CF, Smit JW, Romijn JA, van der Kleij-Corssmit EP, Pereira AM, Stokkel MP, et al. Diagnostic value of serum thyroglobulin measurements in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, a structured meta-analysis. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2004;61:61–74.CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Pelttari H, Valimaki MJ, Loyttyniemi E, Schalin-Jantti C. Post-ablative serum thyroglobulin is an independent predictor of recurrence in low-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a 16-year follow-up study. Eur J Endocrinol. 2010;163:757–63.CrossRefPubMed Pelttari H, Valimaki MJ, Loyttyniemi E, Schalin-Jantti C. Post-ablative serum thyroglobulin is an independent predictor of recurrence in low-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a 16-year follow-up study. Eur J Endocrinol. 2010;163:757–63.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Toubeau M, Touzery C, Arveux P, Chaplain G, Vaillant G, Berriolo A, et al. Predictive value for disease progression of serum thyroglobulin levels measured in the postoperative period and after (131)I ablation therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. J Nucl Med. 2004;45:988–94.PubMed Toubeau M, Touzery C, Arveux P, Chaplain G, Vaillant G, Berriolo A, et al. Predictive value for disease progression of serum thyroglobulin levels measured in the postoperative period and after (131)I ablation therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. J Nucl Med. 2004;45:988–94.PubMed
20.
go back to reference Webb RC, Howard RS, Stojadinovic A, Gaitonde DY, Wallace MK, Ahmed J, et al. The utility of serum thyroglobulin measurement at the time of remnant ablation for predicting disease-free status in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer: a meta-analysis involving 3947 patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97:2754–63.CrossRefPubMed Webb RC, Howard RS, Stojadinovic A, Gaitonde DY, Wallace MK, Ahmed J, et al. The utility of serum thyroglobulin measurement at the time of remnant ablation for predicting disease-free status in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer: a meta-analysis involving 3947 patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97:2754–63.CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Lin JD, Huang MJ, Hsu BR, Chao TC, Hsueh C, Liu FH, et al. Significance of postoperative serum thyroglobulin levels in patients with papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas. J Surg Oncol. 2002;80:45–51.CrossRefPubMed Lin JD, Huang MJ, Hsu BR, Chao TC, Hsueh C, Liu FH, et al. Significance of postoperative serum thyroglobulin levels in patients with papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas. J Surg Oncol. 2002;80:45–51.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Gibelli B, Tredici P, De Cicco C, Bodei L, Sandri MT, Renne G, et al. Preoperative determination of serum thyroglobulin to identify patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who may present recurrence without increased thyroglobulin. Acta otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2005;25:94–9.PubMedCentralPubMed Gibelli B, Tredici P, De Cicco C, Bodei L, Sandri MT, Renne G, et al. Preoperative determination of serum thyroglobulin to identify patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who may present recurrence without increased thyroglobulin. Acta otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2005;25:94–9.PubMedCentralPubMed
23.
go back to reference Ramakrishnan N, McClain DE, Catravas GN. Membranes as sensitive targets in thymocyte apoptosis. Int J Radiat Biol. 1993;63:693–701.CrossRefPubMed Ramakrishnan N, McClain DE, Catravas GN. Membranes as sensitive targets in thymocyte apoptosis. Int J Radiat Biol. 1993;63:693–701.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Nishiyama K, Kozuka T, Higashihara T, Miyauchi K, Okagawa K. Acute radiation thyroiditis. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1996;36:1221–4.CrossRefPubMed Nishiyama K, Kozuka T, Higashihara T, Miyauchi K, Okagawa K. Acute radiation thyroiditis. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1996;36:1221–4.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Serum thyroglobulin level after radioiodine therapy (Day 3) to predict successful ablation of thyroid remnant in postoperative thyroid cancer
Authors
Yong-il Kim
Hyung-Jun Im
Jin Chul Paeng
Gi Jeong Cheon
Keon Wook Kang
Dong Soo Lee
Do Joon Park
Young Joo Park
June-Key Chung
Publication date
01-02-2015
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Annals of Nuclear Medicine / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 0914-7187
Electronic ISSN: 1864-6433
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-014-0927-5

Other articles of this Issue 2/2015

Annals of Nuclear Medicine 2/2015 Go to the issue

Acknowledgements to Reviewers

Acknowledgements to Reviewers