Cáncer diferenciado de la tiorides, de la biología molecular a la clínica / Differentiated thyroid cancer, from molecular biology to the clinic

Recent advances in molecular research have made possible to identify intracellular pathways involved in cell proliferation and differentiation processes, and to clarify how functional alterations in these pathways could explain development of differentiated thyroid cancer. This information has direct implications in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. We present a review of this topic with this integrated vision between molecular findings and clinical management.

Test de estimulación intraarterial selectiva con calcio en el diagnóstico de localización de insulinomas: Casos clínicos / Selective intra arterial calcium stimulation for the localization of insulinomas: Report of two cases

Insulinoma is the most common neuroendocrine tumor. Its clinical manifestations are frequently confounded with neuropsychiatric symptoms, and definitive diagnosis can be delayed for a long time. These tumors are usually small, of less than 2 cm. Thus, their preoperative localization is difficult. We report two patients with a clinical diagnosis of insulinoma, in whom the preoperative imaging study was negative. Both fulfilled diagnostic criteria, with high serum insulin levels in the presence of a blood glucose of less than 45 mg/dl. The imaging study, including abdominal computed tomography and pancreatic endoscopic ultrasonography did not disclose the location of the tumor. A pancreatic angiography with selective stimulation with intra arterial calcium and venous sampling for insulin measurements, was performed in both patients. This test allowed the exact localization of the tumors and their successful excision. A review of other localization diagnostic tests is done (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 71-5).