Diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology combined with serum calcitonin for medullary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) combined with serum calcitonin in the diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods Retrospective analysis of the serum calcitonin and FANC results in 17 cases of MTC confirmed by pathological examination. The diagnostic value of the two methods alone and in combination for MTC were compared. Results 13 of the 17 MTC patients (13/17, 76.5%) underwent fine needle aspiration biopsy before surgery, 11 cases (11/13, 84.6%) diagnosed as thyroid malignant tumor, 7 of whom were diagnosed or suspected of MTC (7/13, 53.8%). Serum calcitonin levels increased in different degrees in 16 patients. The sensitivity of the two methods combined in the diagnosis of MTC was 92.3% (12/13). Conclusions FNAC is an important diagnostic method for the evaluation of thyroid nodules, but it is not sensitive to the diagnosis of MTC. Serum calcitonin is highly sensitive but not universally available. Compared with FNAC alone, FNAC combined with the serum calcitonin examination may significantly improve the detection rate of MTC preoperative and reduce missed diagnosis. Key words: Ultrasonography; Biopsy, fine-needle; Calcitonin; Thyroid neoplasms; Carcinoma, medullary