Could the level of nitrite/nitrate contribute to malignant thyroid nodule diagnostics?

ABSTRACT

Thyroid nodules are among highly prevalent thyroid diseases. To make a distinction between benign and malignant thyroid nodules are of cumbersome significance for each endocrinologist. There is no unique and completely accurate diagnostic test, method, or even biomarker that points to a malignant thyroid nodule. Many studies in modern thyroidology are conducted to determine the usefulness of individual biomarkers, which could help clinicians detect thyroid nodules' potential malignant nature. One interesting biomarker with a promising diagnostic potential for the thyroid gland pathological conditions is nitric oxide (NO). Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression is increased in thyroiditis cases and even more in thyroid carcinoma cases, directly connected with increased NO levels in both pathological conditions. We hypothesize that the basal levels of nitrite/nitrate in serum and biopsy washout could indicate nodules' malignant nature.