Abstract
The measurement of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is widely used as a marker for recurrence of thyroid carcinoma following total thyroidectomy. However, this method cannot differentiate between benign and malignant disease. We focused on the sugar chain in the Tg molecule and investigated the usefulness of Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA)-reactive Tg ratios in sera and wash fluids obtained during fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for the detection of thyroid carcinoma. The study was performed using 203 serum samples (115 from patients with benign thyroid disease and 88 from patients with thyroid carcinomas) and 176 wash fluid samples (143 benign, 21 malignant, and 12 inconclusive). LCA-reactive Tg ratios were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and a comparison was made between malignant and benign lesions. In serum, the ratio in patients with malignancy was 79.5+/-6.0 [mean+/-standard deviation (SD)], significantly lower than in patients with benign lesions (84.9+/-3.5). The ratios in wash fluid from malignant lesions (75.8+/-18.9) were also significantly lower than those from benign lesions (85.6+/-3.9). These results suggest that this method could distinguish between benign and malignant lesions and may be useful for screening serum and wash samples.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
