Thyroglobulin: A Key Thyroid Cancer Tumor Marker
Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is a protein produced by normal thyroid cells and also by most well-differentiated thyroid cancer cells, particularly papillary and follicular types.
Role in Monitoring Thyroid Cancer
Elevated serum Tg levels can indicate the presence of thyroid cancer. Its primary clinical utility lies in monitoring patients after treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary and follicular). A significant rise in Tg levels after initial treatment often suggests cancer recurrence or the presence of metastases.
Marker Specificity for Thyroid Cancers
Thyroglobulin is a valuable tumor marker mainly for:
- Papillary carcinoma thyroid
- Follicular carcinoma thyroid
It is generally not effective for:
- Medullary carcinoma thyroid (calcitonin is the primary marker)
- Anaplastic carcinoma thyroid (often poorly differentiated and produces little to no Tg)
- Thyroid lymphoma
Therefore, serum thyroglobulin level serves as an important tumor marker for monitoring conditions like Papillary carcinoma thyroid.
Important Questions from Neck & Breast Surgery
- No increased relative risk of invasive breast carcinoma based on histopathological examination of benign breast tissue is for all of the following EXCEPT:
- Which of the following statements regarding Paget's disease of nipple are correct?
1. It represents benign pathology of nipple areola complex
2. It is eczema like condition of nipple and areola
3. Erosion of nipple is seen
4. Nipple biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis
Select the correct answer using the code given below: - A gentleman of 60 years presented with a brawny swelling of the sub- mandibular region with inflammatory oedema of mouth and putrid halitosis. Most likely he is suffering from
- A 25 year old female patient with previous history of neck irradiation presents with thyroid swelling for last 6 months. The patient is clinically euthyroid. On examination, the right lobe of thyroid gland is enlarged with presence of ipsilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. The most probable clinical diagnosis in this patient is
- A midline neck swelling just below the hyoid bone and managed by Sistrunk's operation leads to postoperative need for thyroxine replacement. The most likely diagnosis is
