This record provides bibliographic details and links to the original research. An editorial study breakdown is not available.
What the researchers found
Combining calcitonin and procalcitonin in a two-step test achieved 100% sensitivity and 99.7% specificity for diagnosing medullary thyroid carcinoma. Progastrin-releasing peptide alone had low sensitivity (69.2%) and added no diagnostic value.
Why it matters
Calcitonin testing for medullary thyroid cancer has a high false-positive rate. Adding procalcitonin as a second step in the 10-100 pg/mL calcitonin range nearly eliminates false positives while catching all true cases.
The numbers in context
396 patients total (335 discovery, 61 validation). 44 MTC, 186 other thyroid cancers, 166 benign. CT+PCT combination: 100% sensitivity, 100% NPV, 99.7% specificity, 97.7% PPV. ProGRP sensitivity only 69.2%.
How the study worked
Prospective study in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Discovery cohort (Netherlands, 2013-2025) and validation cohort (Switzerland). Preoperative serum calcitonin, procalcitonin, proGRP, and CEA measured. Two-step diagnostic approach tested.
Who was studied
Adults undergoing thyroid surgery for nodular disease, including benign, non-MTC cancer, and MTC
What this study cannot tell us
Single-center discovery cohort in a tertiary referral center. Moderate validation cohort size. Performance in low-prevalence screening settings may differ.
Read the original research
Progastrin-Releasing Peptide and Procalcitonin as Additional Markers in the Diagnostic Workup for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.
Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association, 35(9), 1030-1038
Citation
Schonebaum, Leonoor E; van den Berg, Sjoerd A A; van Balkum, Mathé; Visser, W Edward; Giovanella, Luca; Peeters, Robin P. (2025). Progastrin-Releasing Peptide and Procalcitonin as Additional Markers in the Diagnostic Workup for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.. Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association, 35(9), 1030-1038. https://doi.org/10.1089/thy.2024.0293