Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor producing thyroid cancer

report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

We would like to report a case of thyroid cancer (adenosquamous cell) associated with marked leukocytosis and hypercalcemia. To demonstrate the production of granulocytecolony stimulating factor (G-CSF) secreted from the tumor, the residual tumor tissue was resected under aseptic condition at autopsy and was minced and cultured. High levels of G-CSF in the culture supernate were detected by enzyme linked-immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) using monoclonal antibodies against human recombinant G-CSF. Therefore, it was evident that neutrophilia in this patient was induced by G-CSF secreted from the thyroid cancer cells. Parathyroid like-hormone which induced hypercalcemia was also suggested to be secreted from the cancer cells in this patient. The cases of thyroid cancer associated with neutrophilia and hypercalcemia were reviewed and discussed in this report.