Approach to follow-up of the patient with differentiated thyroid cancer and positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. 2013

Matthew D Ringel, and Fadi Nabhan
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Richard G. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio 43235, USA. matthew.ringel@osumc.edu

Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies are commonly identified in patients with differentiated follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer. When present, they interfere with the measurement of thyroglobulin (Tg), which is the primary biochemical marker used for disease surveillance, creating challenges in monitoring patients for residual or recurrent disease. Moreover, there is variability in measuring anti-Tg antibodies according to the different assays, such that not all patients with anti-Tg antibodies are identifiable on a single assay system. The persistence of anti-Tg antibodies, especially if levels are rising, may indicate persistent, recurrent, or progressive thyroid cancer. In contrast, declining anti-Tg antibody levels may indicate reduced tumor burden or the absence of disease. In this review, we will explore in a case-based manner the data supporting monitoring and treatment paradigms for patients with anti-Tg antibodies and will stress areas where more evidence is needed to better inform clinicians regarding the management of patients with this challenging situation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D005260 Female Females
D005500 Follow-Up Studies Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease. Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001323 Autoantibodies Antibodies that react with self-antigens (AUTOANTIGENS) of the organism that produced them. Autoantibody
D013964 Thyroid Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the THYROID GLAND. Cancer of Thyroid,Thyroid Cancer,Cancer of the Thyroid,Neoplasms, Thyroid,Thyroid Adenoma,Thyroid Carcinoma,Adenoma, Thyroid,Adenomas, Thyroid,Cancer, Thyroid,Cancers, Thyroid,Carcinoma, Thyroid,Carcinomas, Thyroid,Neoplasm, Thyroid,Thyroid Adenomas,Thyroid Cancers,Thyroid Carcinomas,Thyroid Neoplasm

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