Recombinant Human TSH Increases Uptake and Effective Half-life of Radioiodine in Thyroid Hormone Secreting Metastases of Follicular Thyroid Cancer

Abstract

Follicular thyroid cancer with thyroid hormone secreting metastases is an extremely rare condition, with only a few cases reported world-wide.

We here present the case of a 64-year-old female patient affected by follicular thyroid cancer with extensive thyroid hormone secreting metastases leading to TSH-suppression.

We have also summarized the relevant diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and describe, for the first time, the effects of rhTSH-application in this rare tumor entity.

In this patient, we found that rhTSH increased ¹³¹I-uptake into the thyroid hormone secreting metastases and prolonged the effective half-life of ¹³¹I. These effects of rhTSH should be considered when fixed activities of ¹³¹I are prescribed.

Key words

follicular thyroid cancer - thyroid hormone secreting metastases - radioiodine therapy - rhTSH

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