Calcitonin is a hormone that helps regulate calcium levels in the blood by lowering them when they become too high. It achieves this by slowing down the activity of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption (the process of breaking down bone tissue and releasing minerals such as calcium into the bloodstream).
Calcitonin is primarily produced by C cells, also known as parafollicular cells, located in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is situated in the neck and is better known for producing thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism. However, these specific C cells serve the distinct function of monitoring and adjusting calcium levels through calcitonin secretion.
What is immunohistochemistry and how is it used to look for calcitonin?
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a laboratory technique used to identify specific proteins in cells within tissue sections, by using antibodies to bind to antigens. In the context of calcitonin, IHC can be used to detect its presence in tissue samples. Pathologists typically perform this test when trying to determine if a tumour is made up of C cells.
Which cancerous tumours express calcitonin?
The most notable cancerous tumor that expresses calcitonin is medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). MTC arises from the C cells of the thyroid gland and can significantly increase calcitonin levels in the blood. Elevated hormone levels detected through blood tests or IHC in tissue samples can be a critical marker for diagnosing MTC. Detecting high hormone levels prompts further investigation to assess the extent of the disease and guide treatment planning.
About this article
Doctors wrote this article to help you read and understand your pathology report. Contact us with any questions about this article or your pathology report. Read this article for a more general introduction to the parts of a typical pathology report.
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Atlas of Pathology
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