Determination of galectin-3, hepsin and thyroid transcription factor-1 levels in thyroid cancer patients; A prospective case-control study

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the usage of Galectin-3, Hepsin andTTF-1 levels as a marker for the differentiation of malignant and benign in patients with thyroid nodules. Metods: Study was done prospectively between January 2018 and April 2018 in the our clinic, in patients planned for operation due to thyroid nodule. Galectin-3, Hepsin andTTF-1 levels were measured in the pre-operative serum of the benign and malign groups. The measured levels are evaluated statistically to determine whether there was any significant difference between malignant and benign groups. Results: When the levels of Galectin-3, Hepsin andTTF-1 in the malign and benign group were compared; There was a statistically significant difference inTTF-1 levels(p = .038), no significant difference was found in Hepsin and Galectin-3. When the macropapillary and micropapillary types were compared in the malign patient group, there was a significant difference between the Galectin-3 levels(p = .009), but no difference was found between Hepsin andTTF-1. Conclusions: It was seen that the decrease of Galectin-3 level in thyroid papillary carcinoma could be effective in transformation from micro carcinoma to macro carcinoma, andTTF-1 could be an important marker at the differentiation between benign and  malign in thyroid nodules