Introduction: Thyroid adenomas (TA) are benign tumors, but there is a 20% possibility of malignant transformation. The distinguishing between the TA and thyroid cancer is tricky, therefore new TA biomarkers are needed. Furthermore, the role of trace elements (TE) in etiology and pathogenesis of TA is unclear.
Aim: The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significant changes in the thyroid tissue levels of TE exist in the adenomatous transformed thyroid.
Methods: Thyroid tissue levels of fifty TE were prospectively evaluated in 19 patients with TA and 105 healthy inhabitants. Measurements were performed using a combination of non-destructive and destructive methods: instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, respectively. Tissue samples were divided into two portions. One was used for morphological study while the other was intended for TE analysis.
Results: It was found that contents of Ag, Al, B, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mo, and Zn are significantly higher in TA than in normal thyroid tissues.
Conclusion: There are considerable changes in some TE contents in adenomatous tissue of thyroid. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that the levels of these TE in thyroid tissue can be used as TA markers. However, this topic needs additional studies.
Keywords : Thyroid adenomas; Intact thyroid; Trace elements; Biomarkers for thyroid adenoma diagnosis; Instrumental neutron activation analysis; Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.