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Kim, Choi, and Park: A Case of Sunitinib-Induced Destructive Thyroiditis
Case Report
Endocrinology and Metabolism

Endocrinology and Metabolism 2012; 27(1): 68-71.

Published online: 21 March 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2012.27.1.68

A Case of Sunitinib-Induced Destructive Thyroiditis

Bu Kyung Kim, Young Sik Choi, Yo-Han Park

Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

Corresponding author: Young Sik Choi. Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University College of Medicine, 262 Gamcheon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan 602-702, Korea. Tel: +82-51-990-6102, Fax: +82-51-248-5686, yschoi@kosinmed.or.kr

Received 6 May 2011       Accepted 13 July 2011

Copyright © 2012 Korean Endocrine Society

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Sunitinib is a multi-targeted tyrosine-kinase inhibitor used for gastrointestinal stromal tumors and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Several recent studies have reported sunitinib-induced hypothyroidism and thyroid dysfunction; however, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. Here, we report a patient with metastatic RCC, who developed destructive thyroidtis due to sunitinib treatment. The course followed in this case may be useful in understanding the clinical course of sunitinib-induced thyroiditis.

Keywords: Destructive thyroiditis, Sunitinib

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
The ultrasonogram shows slightly decreased thyroid volume with normal vascularity at hospital day 2.
enm-27-68-g001
Fig. 2
A radionuclide thyroid scan with 99mtechnetium demonstrate decreased ratioactivity in the anterior neck at hospital day 5.
enm-27-68-g002
Fig. 3
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was changed according to the sunitinib treatment cycle. 1st-6th, cycle number of sinitinib treatment. D, day.
enm-27-68-g003
Table 1
The changes in thyroid function tests according to sunitinib treatment cycle
enm-27-68-i001

Normal values: T3, 65-150 ng/dL; Free T4, 0.78-1.54 ng/dL; TSH, 0.35-5.5 µlU/mL. TSH, thyroid stimulating hormone.

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