Mild to moderate increase of serum calcitonin levels only in presence of large medullary thyroid cancer deposits

Abstract

Many open questions remain to be elucidated about the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). The most intriguing concerns the outcome of MTC patients after surgery. Great importance is usually given to serum calcitonin (Ct) and carcinoembryonic (CEA) levels. It is commonly believed that the higher are the levels of these tumor markers and their kinetics (double time and velocity of markers levels) the worst is the prognosis. However, this is not the rule, as there are huge MTC metastatic deposits characterized by low serum Ct and CEA levels, and this condition is not closely related to the outcome of the disease during post-surgical follow-up. A series is reported here of patients who have these characteristics, as well as a description of their prognosis and clinical outcome.

Keywords: Cáncer medular de tiroides; Enormes masas tumorales; Large tumor masses; MTC; Marcadores séricos; Medullary thyroid cancer; Serum calcitonin and CEA; Serum markers; Suero Ct y CEA.