Thyroid Cancer or Harmless Lump?
Thyroid Cancer or Harmless Lump? Genes Might Tell the Tale Monday May 30, 2005 New research suggests that physicians can distinguish between a type of thyroid cancer and an identical-looking, non-cancerous thyroid condition by simply determining the activity of three genes. The findings could lead to a test that will prevent the needless loss of the thyroid gland in people with the noncancerous condition. The study, led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, indicates that the activity levels of three genes cyclin D2, PCSK2 (for protein convertase 2) and PLAB (prostate differentiation factor) — might distinguish the noncancerous condition known as follicular adenoma (FA) from follicular thyroid cancer (FTC). The findings, published online by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, also provide insight into the genetic changes that occur in those cases when FA become
