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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2010; 118(8): 520-523
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1231083
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Differentiation between Thyroidal and Ectopic Calcitonin Secretion in patients with Coincidental Thyroid Nodules and Pancreatic Tumors – A Report of Two Cases

R. Schneider 1 , A. E. Heverhagen 1 , R. Moll 2 , D. K. Bartsch 1 , K. Schlosser 1
  • 1Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
  • 2Department of Pathology, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
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Publication History

received 09.05.2009

first decision 07.06.2009 accepted 22.06.2009

Publication Date:
18 August 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Although elevated blood levels of calcitonin are considered highly indicative for the presence of medullary thyroid carcinomas, they may be observed in patients with chronic kidney disease or in consequence of ectopic calcitonin production. We report two patients who presented with excessively elevated calcitonin levels. Diagnostic work-up revealed a single thyroid nodule and a pancreatic tumor with ectopic calcitonin secretion in both of them. On the basis of these case reports, the diagnostic work flow and management in case of clearly elevated calcitonin levels are described and discussed.

Key words

calcitonin - pancreatic endocrine tumor - secondary hyperparathyroidism - medullary thyroid carcinoma - chronic kidney disease

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Correspondence

R. SchneiderMD 

Department of Visceral

Thoracic and Vascular Surgery

Philipps University Marburg

Baldingerstraße

35033 Marburg

Germany

Phone: 0049/6421/586 64 41

Fax: 0049/6421/586 89 95

Email: raschnei@med.uni-marburg.de