Abstract
The introduction of human recombinant thyrotropin (rhTSH/Thyrogen) into the diagnosis of thyroid cancer has substantially ameliorated the patient's quality of life through the avoidance of debilitating hypothyroidism. With the aim of updating the use of Thyrogen, we report 7 cases which were treated with Thyrogen for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. All 7 patients were thyroidectomised and radioiodine ablated and all had detectable [> 1 ng/ml] basal serum thyroglobulin (b-Tg) levels. Thyrogen stimulation resulted in a rise of Tg (s-Tg) in all patients. Five patients had negative whole body scanning (WBS) and no clinical or radiological signs of disease. Two patients with a b-Tg value of 5 ng/ml and 11 ng/ml, respectively showed a s-Tg of 17 ng/ml and 84 ng/ml, respectively, whereas WBS was negative. Both of these patients received 100 mCi (3700 MBq) 131I. Owo patients had a positive Tg and positive WBS with skull, lung and hepatic metastases and received 150 131I after preparation with Thyrogen. Six months later one of these patients was free of disease and the other will be evaluated during the coming months. In conclusion, Thyrogen emerges as a reliable and safe agent for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Furthermore, it appears that Thyrogen could be used in the treatment of metastases as an alternative to thyroid hormone withdrawal.
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