The utility of thyrotropin receptor messenger RNA detection in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

RESULTS: TSHR-mRNA was detected in peripheral blood in 46% preoperatively, which is less than that for macroscopic papillary thyroid carcinoma (80%), but higher than for benign thyroid disease (18%) (p<0.001). The focus of cancer was larger in TSHRmRNA positive compared to negative group (0.41 vs. 0.30 cm, respectively, p1⁄40.015). Incidence of tall cell variant was higher in the TSHR-mRNA positive group. The rate of lymph node (LN) metastasis (16% vs. 10%), multifocality (46% vs. 49%) and extrathyroidal extension (10% vs. 5%) were similar between the TSHR-mRNA positive and negative groups, respectively. In patients 45 years or older, rate of LN metastasis was higher in TSHR-mRNA positive (10%) versus negative (2%) group (p1⁄40.039). TSHR-mRNA positivity predicted a higher likelihood of radioactive iodine treatment (36% vs. 17%, p1⁄40.009) postoperatively.