Features of radionuclide diagnostics of thyroid cancer: factors affecting results of the radioisotope test

59 patients with pathologically confirmed thyroid cancer underwent biphase scintigraphy with application of 99mTc-pertechnetate and 99mTc-MIBI prior to operation. The true positive results were detected in 35 patients (59.32 %). It was found, that one of the most significant factors which effected the quality of radionuclide imaging was the size of the cancer nodule: images of nodules with diameter >1 cm were of higher quality. As the factor, promoting positive radionuclide diagnostics, serves biological activity of thyroid cancer, which was shown by invasion of increased cancer nodules to surrounding tissues and/or the presence of metastases. The factor, complicating radionuclide diagnostics of cancer nodules, was the presence of accompanying non-cancer thyroid diseases.