Efficacy analysis of (131)I therapy and predictive value of preablation stimulated thyroglobulin for lung metastases from differentiated thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to investigate the clinical efficacy of (131)I therapy for lung metastases from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and assess whether the preablation stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) could have predictive value for the outcome.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Fifty-two DTC patients (mean 44.5±19.2years; 33 females and 19 males) with lung metastases treated with (131)I were retrospectively analysed. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated based on the change in serum Tg. Fifty patients' preablation stimulated Tg were collected with negative Tg antibody levels and estimated using the t-test method.

RESULTS

After (131)I therapy, a significant decrease in serum Tg was seen in 30 patients (effective rate, 57.6%), and changes in serum Tg that indicated stabilization and ineffectiveness were both seen in 11 patients (21.2%). Only patients with age under 45years were more likely to respond to serum Tg changes (P=0.046). But binary logistic regression revealed that none of the six factors (age, patient gender, pathological type, local lymph node involvement, size of metastases, and (131)I uptake by metastases) had statistically significant impacts on the efficacy analysis (all P>0.05). For analysing with the preablation stimulated Tg, the "Fine miliaric" and (131)I uptake positive with great prognosis group was much lower than any other group (all the P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

(131)I therapy is a feasible and effective treatment for DTC lung metastases. A better prognosis would be accomplished in those who had low level of preablation stimulated Tg in DTC patient with lung metastases.