The role of insulin-like growth factor 1 in the development of benign and malignant thyroid nodules

• Published in: Balkan medical journal 2012-06, Vol.29 (2), p.133-138
• Main Authors: Baştürk, Engin, Kement, Metin, Yavuzer, Dilek, Vural, Selahattin, Gezen, Cem, Gözü, Hülya Ilıksu, Karadayı, Ayşe, Oncel, Mustafa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: IGF-1; Original; thyroid cancer; thyroid nodules
• ISSN: 2146-3123; 2146-3131
• DOI: 10.5152/balkanmedj.2011.034

This study aims to investigate the role of IGF-1 in the development of nodular thyroid disease. A total number of 100 consecutive patients operated for nodular thyroid disease in our institution were included in this prospective study. In addition to classical pathological examinations, nodules and extranodular healthy tissues were sampled and immunochemically stained for IGF-1. The materials were independently evaluated using an Allred Scoring System ranging from 0 to 8. If the score was ≥1, the tissue was accepted as IGF-1 positive. IGF-1 positivity was observed in 88% and 58% of the samples obtained from nodules and extranodular healthy tissues, respectively. Allred 8-unit scores were higher in benign nodules (n=89; 4.1±2.3) and papillary carcinomas (n=7; 6.7±1.3), than in extranodular healthy tissues in the same patients (2.3±2.3 and 3.3±1.9, respectively); and higher in papillary carcinomas than in benign nodules, when the scores were compared to each other (p