CT

Background

Calcitonin is a 32 amino acid peptide hormone secreted by parafollicular cells (also known as C cells) of the thyroid gland. Studies have shown that calcitonin antibody is particularly useful in distinguishing medullary carcinoma from papillary and follicular thyroid cancer. Most medullary carcinomas are positive for calcitonin; conversely, most papillary and follicular types of thyroid cancer are usually negative for calcitonin. When used in conjunction with TTF-1 thyroid medullary carcinoma may be distinguishable from laryngeal moderately differentiated carcinoma.