Follow-up of thyroid cancer patients using rhTSH - preliminary results

Aim: In the followup of patients with advanced stage thyroid cancer radioio dine scintigraphy, F-18-FDG PET and tumormarker hTg using stimulation with recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) were compared to the results of some diagnost ic procedures during TSH-suppression or endogenous TSH-stimulation. Methods : 30 patients were investigated in hypothyroidism and after application of rhTSH regarding the serum hormone concentrations, hTg, radioiodine scans an d FGD-PET scans. Results: Radioiodine avidity and FDG uptake were significa ntly higher in 7/30 and 3/5 patients, respectively, compared to endogenous stimulation or TSH-suppression. In about one third of patients hTg increase d more than 30%. Conclusion: Our preliminary results indicate a sufficient feasibility and sensitivity of rhTSH not only in the follow-up by hTg and r adioiodine scan but also in FDG-PET.