The relationship between serum levels of thyroglobulin antibody and the
risk of recurrence in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer
Abstract
Objective: Thyroid Autoantibodies (TgAbs) are associated with
autoimmune thyroid disorders and are also used in thyroid cancer
follow-up to monitor for recurrence of disease. This study aimed to
explore the potential utility of TgAbs as a surrogated tumor marker and
examine the relationship between fluctuations in TgAbs levels and
disease recurrence in patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC).
Method: This cohort study was conducted on a sample of 97
patients who underwent thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer
(DTC) between the years 2017 and 2021. Following surgery (with or
without lymph node dissection), levothyroxine therapy and 131 iodine
were prescribed (as necessary). Regular laboratory evaluations were
conducted, which involved measuring Tg and TgAb at 3 and 6 months
postoperatively. Patients were classified based on recurrence rate and
different levels of TgAb and ROC analysis was applied. All data were
analyzed with SPSS24, and a p-value <0.05 was considered
statistically significant. Results: For low-risk patients, TgAb
trends over time showed an increase at 6 months, while for high-risk
patients, TgAb levels continuously rose starting from 3 months. Although
TgAb levels above the functional sensitivity threshold did not predict
recurrence overall, changes in TgAb levels at 6 months compared to 3
months after surgery were indicative of recurrence. Conclusion:
In the entire population, having TgAb levels higher than the functional
sensitivity threshold had not risk of various relapses. However, changes
in TgAb serum levels at 6 months after surgery, compared to 3 months
after surgery, can serve as an indication of tumor recurrence.