Changes and prognostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer

To evaluate the changes and the prognostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer [DTC] . A total of 79 patients with DTC and 30 healthy individuals were divided into four groups: [1] a healthy control group [n = 30]; [2] DTC without recurrence [n = 35; 23 papillary, 12 follicular] ; [3] DTC with local recurrence [n = 24; 15 papillary, 9 follicular], and [4] DTC with lung metastasis [n = 20; 13 papillary, 7 follicular] . Serum VEGF and thyroglobulin levels were measured in all patients. Serum levels of VEGF were significantly higher in the lung metastasis group than in the other three groups [p < 0.05]. Serum thyroglobulin concentration positively correlated with VEGF expression [r = 0.8678, p < 0.001] in patients with thyroid cancer recurrence. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical staging [OR = 1.851, 95% Cl 1.04-3.47; p = 0.038], non-compliance with postoperative thyroxin replacement therapy [OR = 1.935,95% Cl 1.03-3.65; p = 0.042] and postoperative levels of thyroglobulin [OR = 1.892, 95% Cl 1.01-3.56, p =0.032] were independent predictors for thyroid cancer recurrence. Every additional 100 ng/l of serum VEGF levels increased the risk of thyroid cancer recurrence by 20.3%; but this did not reach statistical significance [OR = 1.203, 95% Cl 0.95-1.52; p = 0.125] . Serum VEGF increased in patients with recurrent thyroid cancer following surgical therapies. The predictive value of serum VEGF requires further investigation

Curative effect of stereotactic 186Re endocavitary irradiation on cystic craniopharyngioma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the treatment results of stereotactic (186)Re intracavitary irradiation in the patients with craniopharyngioma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nineteen patients were treated with stereotactic (186)Re intracavitary irradiation, including 12 males and 7 females (average age, 37.2 years). Among them 12 patients had a solitary cyst, whereas 7 patients with mixed structure (e.g., a large cyst with a small solid portion). The mean volume of the cystic portion of the tumor before irradiation was 8390 mm(3).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients were followed up for 6 months to 3 years. The retraction of the cyst was complete in 7 patients, cyst volume decreased more than 50% in 5 patients and less than 50% in 7 cases. Among the 8 patients with visual acuity deficit before irradiation, 5 were improved. No hypopituitarism occurred in patients with normal pituitary function before treatment. One of the 4 patients with hypopituitarism was improved, 3 of the 5 patients with diabetes insipidus was improved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Stereotactic (186)Re endocavitary irradiation for the treatment of cystic craniopharyngioma is a safe and effective procedure.</p>