Anti-TG (aa 2671-2768) polyclonal antibody

Background The identification of neck lymph node (LN) metastases represents a very important issue in the management of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). To this purpose, in the present study, we used 131I-SPECT/CT as a diagnostic imaging procedure. Methods A consecutive series of 224 DTC patients with ascertained neck radioiodine-avid foci at I-131-SPECT/CT during long-term follow-up was evaluated. All patients had already undergone total thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy and had been classified as follows: 62 at high risk (H), 64 at low risk (L) and 98 at very low risk (VL). I-131-Whole body scan (WBS) followed by SPECT/CT was performed in all cases. Results In the 224 patients, 449 neck iodine avid foci were ascertained at SPECT/CT, while 322 were evidenced at WBS in 165/224 patients. WBS classified as residues 263/322 foci and as unclear 59/322 foci; among the former foci SPECT/CT correctly characterized 8 LN metastases and 3 physiologic uptakes and among the latter, it pinpointed 26 LN metastases, 18 residues, and 15 physiologic uptakes. SPECT/CT also classified 127 foci occult at WBS as 59 LN metastases and 68 residues. Globally, SPECT/CT identified 93 LN metastases in 59 patients (26 H, 20 L, 13 VL), while WBS evidenced 34 in 25 cases. All 13 VL patients, T1aN0M0, 5 of whom with LN near sub-mandibular glands, had thyroglobulin undetectable or < 2.5 ng/ml. Globally, SPECT/CT obtained an incremental value than WBS in 45.5% of patients, a more correct patient classification changing therapeutic approach in 30.3% of cases and identified WBS false-positive findings in 8% of cases. Conclusions I-131-SPECT/CT proved to correctly detect and characterize neck LN metastases in DTC patients in long-term follow-up, improving the performance of planar WBS. SPECT/CT routine use is thus suggested; its role is particularly relevant in patients with WBS inconclusive, VL, T1aN0M0 and with undetectable or very low thyroglobulin levels.

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 I-131 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 I-131 (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 I-131 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.