The value of serum thyroglobulin measurement as a marker of cancer recurrence in the follow-up of patients previously treated for differentiated thyroid tumor.

In order to verify the value of serum thyrogolbulin (hTg) determination to detect cancer recurrence, 104 patients previously treated with surgical and 131I total thyroid ablation of differentiated thyroid cancer were studied. Comparison of serum hTg results and 131I total body scans (131I TBS) was attempted. In 87 patients with negative 131 I TBS, serum hTg was undetectable in 80% of the patients whereas in 20% detectable amounts of hTg were measured. In 57 patients with positive 131I TBS, serum hTg was measurable in 72% of the patients whereas in 20% was undetectable. These contrasting results of serum hTg measurement and 131I TBS suggest to us the usefulness to use both tests in the detection of thyroid cancer recurrence.