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Pre-Operative Calcitonin and CEA Values May Predict the Extent of Metastases to the Lateral Neck Lymph Nodes in Patients with Medullary Thyroid Cancer.

Pre-Operative Calcitonin and CEA Values May Predict the Extent of Metastases to the Lateral Neck Lymph Nodes in Patients with Medullary Thyroid Cancer.

Authors :
Prinzi A
Frasca F
Russo M
Pellegriti G
Piticchio T
Tumino D
Belfiore A
Malandrino P
Source :
Cancers [Cancers (Basel)] 2024 Aug 27; Vol. 16 (17). Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 27.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Background : In medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), lymph node metastases are often present at diagnosis and the extent of surgery is usually based upon pre-operative calcitonin and CEA levels as well as ultrasound findings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of pre-operative calcitonin and CEA levels as predictive markers of the burden of lymph node metastases at diagnosis. Methods : we conducted a retrospective study analyzing 87 MTC patients. Results : The median levels of calcitonin and CEA were 88.4 pg/mL and 7.0 ng/mL, respectively, in patients with no lymph nodes metastases; 108.0 pg/mL and 9.6 ng/mL, respectively, in patients with metastases to 1-5 lymph nodes; 520.5 pg/mL and 43.2 ng/mL, respectively, in patients with metastases to >5 lymph nodes. There were no significant differences in pre-operative calcitonin and CEA values between N0 and N1a patients, whereas they were significantly higher in N1b patients. Pre-operative cut-off levels distinguishing N0/N1a from N1b patients were 90 pg/mL for calcitonin (sensitivity 100%, specificity 59.3%, AUC = 0.82) and 17 ng/mL for CEA (sensitivity 100%, specificity 75%, AUC = 0.89). Conclusions : in patients with MTC, pre-operative serum calcitonin and CEA levels may drive the decision-making process to better define the extent of surgery.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2072-6694
Volume :
16
Issue :
17
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Cancers
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
39272838
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16172979