Adjuvant Radioactive Iodine Treatment Research Articles

The Difference in Clinical Behavior of Gene Fusions Involving RET/PTC Fusions and THADA/IGF2BP3 Fusions in Thyroid Nodules.

Molecular testing has been used as an adjunct to morphological evaluation in the workup of thyroid nodules. This study investigated the impact of two gene fusions, RET/PTC and THADA/IGF2BP3, that have been described as oncogenic events in thyroid neoplasms. We performed a retrospective, single-centered study at a McGill University teaching hospital in Montreal, Canada, from January 2016 to August 2021. We included patients who underwent surgery for thyroid nodules that pre-operatively underwent molecular testing showing either RET/PTC or THADA/IGF2BP3 gene fusion. This study included 697 consecutive operated thyroid nodules assessed using molecular testing, of which five had the RET/PTC fusion and seven had the THADA/IGF2BP3 fusion. Of the five nodules in the RET/PTC group, 100% were malignant and presented as Bethesda V/VI. Eighty percent (4/5) were found to have lymph node metastasis. Twenty percent (1/5) had extrathyroidal extensions. Sixty percent (3/5) were a diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, and the rest were the classical variant. Of the seven THADA/IGF2BP3 nodules, all presented as Bethesda III/IV and 71.4% (5/7) were malignant based on the final pathology analysis, and 28.6% (2/7) were NIFTP. All the THADA/IGF2BP3 fusion malignancies were a follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. None had lymph node metastasis or displayed extrathyroidal extensions. RET/PTC nodules presented as Bethesda V/VI and potentially had more aggressive features, whereas THADA/IGF2BP3 nodules presented as Bethesda III/IV and had more indolent behavior. This understanding may allow clinicians to develop more targeted treatment plans, such as the extent of surgery and adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment.

Neoadjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer: a single centre case series.

Primary surgical resection remains the mainstay of management in locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have recently shown promising results in patients with recurrent locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer. This study discussed four patients with locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer managed with tyrosine kinase inhibitors used prior to surgery in the 'neoadjuvant' setting. Prospective data collection through a local thyroid database from February 2016 identified four patients with locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer unsuitable for primary surgical resection commenced on neoadjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. All cases had T4a disease at presentation. Three cases tolerated tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for more than 14 months while the last case failed to tolerate treatment at 1 month. All patients subsequently underwent total thyroidectomy to facilitate adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment. Disease-specific survival remains at 100 per cent currently (range, 29-75 months). Neoadjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitors in locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer can be effective in reducing primary tumour extent to potentially facilitate a more limited surgical resection for local disease control.

TERT Promoter and BRAF V600E Mutations in Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Single-Institution Experience in Korea.

Simple SummaryTERT promoter mutation has recently emerged as a promising prognostic biomarker for aggressive papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), along with BRAF B600E mutation. The prevalence of the TERT promoter mutations has been reported as relatively uncommon in Asian countries. We report on a prospective study of the TERT promoter and BRAF V600E mutation in the largest number of subjects with PTC in Korea. We assume that our specific clinical settings and the favorable healthcare environment in Korea led to several distinct findings: the lowest prevalence of TERT promoter mutation ever reported, multifocal gene mutations in bilateral PTCs, and more early-stage papillary microcarcinomas included in this study. This study indicates that relevant evaluation and treatment strategies should be investigated continuously based on different circumstances.Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation has been investigated for its clinical and prognostic significance in aggressive papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence, clinicopathologic features, and treatment outcomes of TERT mutation-positive PTCs along with the common BRAF V600E mutation. We performed mutational analyses for BRAF and the TERT promoter in thyroid cancer patients who had undergone surgery at our institution since 2019. We reviewed and analyzed 7797 patients with PTC in this study. The prevalence of BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations was 84.0% and 1.1%, respectively. Multifocal gene mutations in bilateral PTCs were identified. TERT promoter mutations were associated with older age, larger tumor size, tumor multifocality, tumor variants, advanced stages, more adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment (RAI), higher stimulated serum thyroglobulin level before RAI, and more uptakes in the regions outside the surgical field on a post-RAI whole-body scan. The coexistence of BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations exacerbated all clinicopathologic characteristics. The frequency of TERT promoter mutations was the lowest in this study, compared to previous studies. TERT promoter mutations consistently correlated with aggressive PTCs, and the synergistic effect of both mutations was evident. Specific clinical settings in our institution and in Korea may have led to these distinctive results. Prospective multicenter studies with longer follow-up periods are required to establish valuable oncologic outcomes.

Quality of Life in Patients With Low and Very Low Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Who Underwent Thyroidectomy in Quito-Ecuador 2020

Abstract Low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (less than one centimeter and entrusting the thyroid) is a common pathology, over-diagnosed and therefore mainly over-treated in young women. Considered a public health problem mainly by two premises: 1) psycho-emotional involvement in people who suffer from it and undergo treatments; 2) and because unnecessary interventions are sometimes carried out that represent a futile cost to the health budget, especially for emerging economies such as the Ecuadorian. Objective: Demonstrate the affectation of the quality of life (QoL) after total thyroidectomy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer of low and very low risk, who underwent surgery with or without adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment. In addition, to identify if variables such as gender, age, and sequelae of surgery such as hypoparathyroidism and scar influence QoL. M&M: A mixed study (qualitative-quantitative) was carried out, where information was collected electronically (via the whats app) and video call from 25 patients who have been affected by low and very low-risk thyroid cancer, in follow-up in the General Hospital San Francisco de Quito. After approval of the study by the teaching department and the ethics committee, we contacted the patients and asked for demographic data (age, gender); clinical data (use of levothyroxine, calcium); and they were also asked to fill out a self-applicable survey of the quality of life of the University of Washington (UW-Qol v.4). Subsequently, an interview with semi-structured questions was carried out and the participants were asked to make a graph of their neck. Results: In the UW-QoL v.4, it was shown that the physical aspects of quality of life, (chewing, swallowing, shoulder, speech, taste, and saliva) scored 90 points on average, did not present as much impact as the emotional aspects (pain, mood, activity, appearance, recreation, and anxiety) with an average of 83 points. In the interview and in the drawing it is corroborated that the emotional aspect where the appearance with the scar and the decrease in activity is included determine a worse quality of life. Neither gender nor age, nor the appearance of hypoparathyroidism determines a worse QoL. Discussion: The QoL for the WHO has elements that influence the physical and emotional health of a subject, their state of independence, and their social and environmental relationship. The study showed that QoL is affected with low and very low risk thyroid cancer on an emotional level, but not physically. This leads us to raise the possibility that differentiated thyroid cancer due to its low risk of mortality and recurrence in patients could be kept on follow-up and benefit from surgery only in the case that in active follow-up, it increased and became intermediate risk (ATA). Studies with a larger patient population are required to determine if support networks are an important parameter that affects QoL.

Concurrent Papillary Carcinoma of Thyroglossal Duct Cyst and Thyroid Isthmus, Beyond the Sistrunk Procedure

Introduction/Background: Papillary carcinoma (PC) originating from the thyroglossal cyst is a rare entity. It is even more uncommon to have concurrent thyroglossal duct cyst PC and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC). The surgical approach for such patients would involve a combination of a Sistrunk’s procedure and total thyroidectomy. We describe management of a patient found to have multi focal PC originating from a thyroglossal duct cyst and thyroid isthmus with extensive cervical lymph node metastasis. Clinical Case: 30-year-old male presented to PCP with palpable bilateral cervical adenopathy most prominent in the right supraclavicular region. Neck ultrasound confirmed multiple metastatic appearing nodes (largest 4cm) in the central, right and left lateral cervical compartments as well as a hypoechoic, TI-RADS category 5 right thyroid isthmus nodule. FNA of the cervical nodes confirmed metastatic PTC. Neck CT in addition to extensive cervical adenopathy revealed a 2 cm solid mass inferior to the central hyoid bone with infiltrative borders and calcifications suspicious for a primary tumor. Patient underwent total thyroidectomy with central compartment lymph node dissection, excision of thyroglossal cyst and bilateral modified radical neck dissections. Histopathology report revealed a 2.4 cm thyroglossal duct tumor and a 1.1 cm tumor in the thyroid isthmus, confirming two separate tumors both being classical variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma, with no lympho-vascular invasion and 8/53 positive lymph nodes. BRAF V600E mutation was positive. On follow up, the patient is doing well and has deferred adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment for 6 months for personal reasons. Clinical Lesson/ Conclusion: PC of the thyroglossal cyst with synchronous isthmic PTC merits total thyroidectomy and central compartment dissection in addition to the Sistrunk’s procedure, as the likelihood of local metastasis is high. Presence of BRAF V600E mutation has been identified as a predictor of more aggressive behavior in isolated PC of the thyroglossal duct cyst, suggesting a need for more than a Sistrunk’s procedure in such patients. Our patient, who presented with local lymph node metastasis supports this conclusion. Determining BRAF mutation status preoperatively may be a helpful strategy in planning the extent of surgery. Keywords Thyroglossal duct cyst, Papillary thyroid carcinoma, BRAF mutation

Follicular thyroid carcinoma metastasis to the facial skeleton: a systematic review

BackgroundFollicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) metastasis to the facial skeleton is exceedingly rare. A case of FTC metastasizing to the mandible is presented and a systematic review of the literature describing thyroid metastasis to the facial skeleton is performed.Case presentationA 73-year-old female presented with metastatic FTC to the mandible and underwent total thyroidectomy, segmental mandibulectomy, bone impacted fibular free flap reconstruction, and adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment. The PubMed database was searched for literature describing thyroid cancer with facial skeleton metastasis using the key words “thyroid,” “cancer,” “carcinoma,” “metastasis,” and “malignancy” with “oral cavity,” “maxilla,” “mandible,” “sinus,” “paranasal,” and “orbit.” Reports that only involved the soft tissues were excluded. Systematic review revealed 59 cases of well-differentiated thyroid cancer with facial skeleton metastasis: 35 mandibular metastases (21 = FTC), 6 maxilla metastases (2 = FTC), 9 orbital metastases (4 = FTC), and 11 paranasal sinus metastases (7 = FTC). Treatment included surgery, RAI, external beam radiotherapy (XRT), or a combination of these modalities. The one, two, and five-year survival rates were 100%, 79%, and 16%, respectively.ConclusionFacial skeleton metastasis of FTC is a rare clinical challenge. Optimal treatment appears to include total thyroidectomy and resection of involved structures with or without adjuvant treatment.

Measurement and Variation in Estimation of Quality of Life Effects of Patients Undergoing Treatment for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Thyroid cancer incidence is increasing. The effect of diagnosis and treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an essential variable in the absence of a change in life span for the majority of patients. HRQoL instruments, with data useful for between-disease comparisons, are being increasingly used for health policy and outcomes evaluation. Variation exits among the instruments based on the impact of a specific disease. We assessed which of four well-validated, preference-based surveys detect changes in health and clinical intervention in patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Four commonly used HRQoL questionnaires (Short Form-12v2® [SF6D], EuroQol-5D [EQ5D], and Health Utilities Index Mark 2 and 3 [HUI2, HUI3]) were administered to patients with the diagnosis of PTC at three perioperative time points during the first year of treatment. Clinicopathological and treatment course data were assessed for HRQoL impact including complications from surgery, re-operation for persistence/early recurrence, and adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment. We compared standard metrics, including ceiling effect, intraclass correlation coefficient, effect sizes, and quality-adjusted life-years between the four instruments. Of 117 patients, 27% had a preoperative diagnosis of anxiety or depression, 41% had regional lymph node metastases, three had distant metastases and 49% underwent adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment. The ceiling effect (i.e., proportion with a perfect score) was greatest with EQ5D and least with SF6D. Index scores ranged from 0.77 (SF6D) to 0.90 (EQ5D). All scores declined at two weeks postoperatively and returned to pretreatment levels at six months. The SF6D was the only instrument to exceed the conventional minimally important difference between all three time points. Quality-adjusted life-years were as follows: SF6D, 0.79; EQ5D, 0.90; HUI2, 0.88; and HUI3, 0.86. Our results reflect the general good health of PTC patients. The effect on quality of life is primarily related to emotional and social impacts of treatment. The results support the measurement of a similar underlying construct, although variation in detecting changes in health exists between the instruments. Of the instruments assessed, the SF6D is the most responsive to treatment effects and should be utilized in future economic analyses in this patient population.

Development of Abnormal Pigmentation of the Oral Mucosa Following Adjuvant Radioactive Iodine Treatment

ABSTRACT Objective: We report the case of a 52-year-old black woman who developed discoloration of her tongue following radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation. RAI is a common method of treatment for a number of thyroid disorders, including thyroid malignancies and hyperthyroidism. Common side effects of this therapy include hypothyroidism, changes in taste, nausea, and sialadenitis. Methods: This is an Institutional Review Board–approved single-case chart review with a patient consent. Results: The patient presented with no changes in oral sensation and mild diffuse elongation of the filiform papillae with diffuse, symmetrical, black pigmentation in the distribution of the fungiform papillae 9 days following treatment with RAI. There were no new exposures known to cause a similar reaction, and she had not changed her diet or oral hygiene habits during the development of this symptom. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of pigmentation change to the tongue following treatment with R...

Decision aid on radioactive iodine treatment for early stage papillary thyroid cancer: update to study protocol with follow-up extension.

BackgroundPatient decision aids (P-DAs) are used to inform patients about healthcare choices, but there is limited knowledge about their longer term effects, beyond the time period of decision-making.Methods/DesignWe developed a computerized P-DA that explains the choice of radioactive iodine (RAI) adjuvant treatment or no RAI, for patients with low risk papillary thyroid cancer after total thyroidectomy. The original protocol for a randomized controlled trial, comparing the use of the P-DA (with usual care) to usual care alone, has been published in Trialshttp://www.trialsjournal.com/content/11/1/81. We found that P-DA (with usual care) significantly improved patients’ medical knowledge at the time of decision-making (primary outcome) compared to usual care alone (control). In this update, we present the protocol for an extended follow-up study (15 to 23 months post-randomization), including qualitative and quantitative methods. The patient outcomes evaluated using quantitative questionnaires include: the degree to which patients feel well-informed about their RAI treatment choice, decision satisfaction, decision regret, cancer-related worry, mood, and trust in the treating physician. The qualitative component explores the experiences of RAI treatment decision-making, treatment satisfaction, and trial participation in a representative subgroup of patients. Extended follow-up study results will be described for the entire study population, and data will be compared between the P-DA and control groups.Result and ConclusionThis mixed methods extended follow-up study will provide data on long term outcomes, relating to the use of a computerized P-DA in decision-making about adjuvant RAI treatment in early stage papillary thyroid cancer.DiscussionOur results are intended to inform future research in this area, particularly relating to long term effects of the use of P-DAs in making healthcare choices.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01083550, registered 24 February 2010 and last updated 5 January 2015

Exploring the relationship between patients' information preference style and knowledge acquisition process in a computerized patient decision aid randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundWe have shown in a randomized controlled trial that a computerized patient decision aid (P-DA) improves medical knowledge and reduces decisional conflict, in early stage papillary thyroid cancer patients considering adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment. Our objectives were to examine the relationship between participants’ baseline information preference style and the following: 1) quantity of detailed information obtained within the P-DA, and 2) medical knowledge.MethodsWe randomized participants to exposure to a one-time viewing of a computerized P-DA (with usual care) or usual care alone. In pre-planned secondary analyses, we examined the relationship between information preference style (Miller Behavioural Style Scale, including respective monitoring [information seeking preference] and blunting [information avoidance preference] subscale scores) and the following: 1) the quantity of detailed information obtained from the P-DA (number of supplemental information clicks), and 2) medical knowledge. Spearman correlation values were calculated to quantify relationships, in the entire study population and respective study arms.ResultsIn the 37 P-DA users, high monitoring information preference was moderately positively correlated with higher frequency of detailed information acquisition in the P-DA (r = 0.414, p = 0.011). The monitoring subscale score weakly correlated with increased medical knowledge in the entire study population (r = 0.268, p = 0.021, N = 74), but not in the respective study arms. There were no significant associations with the blunting subscale score.ConclusionsIndividual variability in information preferences may affect the process of information acquisition from computerized P-DA’s. More research is needed to understand how individual information preferences may impact medical knowledge acquisition and decision-making.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12911-015-0168-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Computerized Decision Aid on Adjuvant Radioactive Iodine Treatment for Patients With Early-Stage Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Decision-making on adjuvant radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment for early-stage papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is complex because of uncertainties in medical evidence. Using a parallel, two-arm, randomized, controlled trial design, we examined the impact of a patient-directed computerized decision aid (DA) on the medical knowledge and decisional conflict in patients with early-stage PTC considering the choice of being treated with adjuvant RAI or not. The DA describes the rationale, possible risks and benefits, and the medical evidence uncertainty relating to the choice. We recruited 74 patients with early-stage PTC after thyroidectomy. Participants were assigned by using 1:1 central computerized randomization to either the DA group with usual care (intervention) or usual care alone (control). Medical knowledge about PTC and RAI treatment (the primary outcome), as well as decisional conflict (a secondary outcome), were measured by using validated questionnaires, and the respective scores were compared between groups. Consistent with PTC epidemiology, 83.8% (62 of 74) of the participants were women, and the mean age was 45.8 years (range, 19 to 79 years). Medical knowledge about PTC and RAI treatment was significantly greater and decisional conflict was significantly reduced in the DA group compared with the control group (respective P values < .001). The use of adjuvant RAI treatment was not significantly different between groups (DA group, 11 of 37 [29.7%]; controls, seven of 37 [18.9%]; P = .278). A computerized DA improves informed decision making in patients with early-stage PTC who are considering adjuvant RAI treatment. DAs are useful for patients facing decisions subject to medical evidence uncertainty.

Thyroid cancer patients’ involvement in adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment decision-making and decision regret: an exploratory study

PurposeWe explored regret in thyroid cancer patients, relating to the decision to accept or reject adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment.MethodsWe studied patients with a recent diagnosis of early stage papillary thyroid carcinoma, in whom treatment decisions on adjuvant radioactive iodine had been finalized. Participants completed a Decision Regret Scale questionnaire. We asked the participants to identify who made the final decision about radioactive iodine treatment. We explored the relationship between decision regret and a) degree of patient involvement in decision-making and b) receipt of radioactive iodine treatment.ResultsWe included 44 individuals, more than half of whom received adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment (26/44). Decision regret was generally low (mean 22.1, standard deviation [SD] 13.0). Participants reported that the final treatment decision was made by the following: patient and doctor (52.3%, 23/44), completely the patient (27.3%, 12/44), or completely the physician (20.5%, 9/44). Decision regret significantly differed according to who made the final decision: the patient (mean 19.0, SD 11.3), patient and doctor (mean 19.5, SD 7.4), and the doctor (mean 32.9, SD 20.37) (F = 4.569; degrees of freedom = 2, 41; p = 0.016). There was no significant difference in decision regret between patients who received radioactive iodine and those who did not (mean difference −2.5; 95% confidence interval −10.6, 5.6; p = 0.540).ConclusionThyroid cancer patients who reported being involved in the final treatment decision on adjuvant radioactive iodine had less regret than those who did not.

A usability study of a computerized decision aid to help patients with, early stage papillary thyroid carcinoma in, decision-making on adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment

Objective We tested the usability of a patient-directed decision aid (DA), intended for patients with early stage papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) deciding to accept or reject adjuvant radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment. This decision is complicated by uncertainty of the medical evidence relating to potential treatment benefits. Methods The DA was tested by 12 thyroid cancer survivors, 7 thyroid specialty physicians, and 30 lay individuals with no history of thyroid cancer. The participants completed the System Usability Scale for human–computer interaction questionnaire. The medical knowledge of lay participants was assessed before and after DA exposure. Qualitative participant feedback was obtained by thinking aloud during DA use, as well as from interviews. Results Participants generally found the usability of the DA acceptable. The DA significantly increased medical knowledge. In spite of some physicians’ concerns about disclosure of treatment controversy and evidence uncertainty, it was found to be acceptable to non-physicians. Conclusion A computerized DA on RAI treatment is acceptable to physicians and non-physicians and can improve medical knowledge. Practice implications In counseling patients about complex medical decisions, disclosure of uncertainty related to medical evidence may be acceptably conveyed using a DA.

The Impact of Thyroid Cancer and Post-Surgical Radioactive Iodine Treatment on the Lives of Thyroid Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study

BackgroundAdjuvant treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI) is often considered in the treatment of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC). We explored the recollections of thyroid cancer survivors on the diagnosis of WDTC, adjuvant radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment, and decision-making related to RAI treatment. Participants provided recommendations for healthcare providers on counseling future patients on adjuvant RAI treatment.MethodsWe conducted three focus group sessions, including WDTC survivors recruited from two Canadian academic hospitals. Participants had a prior history of WDTC that was completely resected at primary surgery and had been offered adjuvant RAI treatment. Open-ended questions were used to generate discussion in the groups. Saturation of major themes was achieved among the groups.FindingsThere were 16 participants in the study, twelve of whom were women (75%). All but one participant had received RAI treatment (94%). Participants reported that a thyroid cancer diagnosis was life-changing, resulting in feelings of fear and uncertainty. Some participants felt dismissed as not having a serious disease. Some participants reported receiving conflicting messages from healthcare providers on the appropriateness of adjuvant RAI treatment or insufficient information. If RAI-related side effects occurred, their presence was not legitimized by some healthcare providers.ConclusionsThe diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer significantly impacts the lives of survivors. Fear and uncertainty related to a cancer diagnosis, feelings of the diagnosis being dismissed as not serious, conflicting messages about adjuvant RAI treatment, and treatment-related side effects, have been raised as important concerns by thyroid cancer survivors.

Regional Differences in Opinions on Adjuvant Radioactive Iodine Treatment of Thyroid Carcinoma within Canada and the United States

To identify regional differences in recommendations for radioactive iodine remnant ablation (RRA) in early stage well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) within Canada and the United States. A cross-sectional written survey of a sample of physicians in specialties potentially involved in thyroid cancer care was performed in 2006. Participants were asked if they recommended RRA for a hypothetical 38-year-old woman with a solitary, 1.6-cm papillary carcinoma resected by total thyroidectomy. Exploratory regional comparisons were performed using Student t tests or analysis of variance. The regions studied were western Canada, eastern Canada (Ontario, the Maritimes), Quebec, the northeastern United States, the western and midwestern United States, and the southern United States. In a secondary multivariable logistic regression analysis, we explored potential relationships between individual respondent characteristics RRA recommendations. Agreement with case-based RRA recommendations was measured on a Likert scale of 1 to 7 (7 = strongest agreement). The effective response rate was 56.3% (486/864). There were significant differences in RRA recommendations among the regions studied (F = 11.99, 5 df, p < 0.001); national boundaries did not explain regional variations. For the sample case, the strongest support for RRA was in Quebec and the southern United States, intermediate support in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, and the least support in western Canada and the western and midwestern United States. Academic affiliation and surgical specialty were independently inversely associated with strong RRA recommendations. There are significant regional differences in physician-based RRA recommendations in early stage WDTC within Canada and the United States. Physician specialty and practice characteristics may influence RRA recommendations.

A model for predicting outcomes in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and model performance in comparison with other classification systems

This study was performed to determine the prognostic factors for differentiated thyroid cancer, and to establish a mathematical prognostic model. A retrospective study was conducted in 347 differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Univariate and multivariate prognostic factor analyses were carried out using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. Without adjustment for treatment in the multivariate analysis, age, tumor size, angioinvasion, and distant metastasis were significant predictors of outcomes. The very low-risk, low-risk, high-risk, and very high-risk groups were identified from the logistic regression equation. Overall and event-free survival estimations at 10 years were 100% and 100% for very low-risk patients, 88% and 75% for low-risk patients, 30% and 16% for high-risk patients, and 5% and 0% for very high-risk patients. Inclusion of treatment in the multivariate analysis showed, in addition to other variables, that both total or near total thyroidectomy (versus thyroidectomy less than total and near total thyroidectomy, p = 0.0002; hazard ratio, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.3-0.7) and adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment (versus no treatment with radioactive iodine, p = 0.0001; hazard ratio, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.2-0.8) were associated with a reduced hazard of death in the followup period. By subgroup analysis, total and near total thyroidectomy, along with radioactive iodine, appeared to provide a survival benefit for all patients except those in the very low-risk group. The proposed mathematical model is satisfactory for predicting outcomes. Total and near total thyroidectomy along with radioactive iodine treatment might provide a survival advantage for differentiated thyroid cancer, except for those with very low risk.

The treatment of well-differentiated thyroid cancer

The management of well differentiated thyroid cancer continues to generate considerable debate and controversy regarding diagnostic evaluation, extent of surgery, and postoperative adjuvant therapy and follow-up. The fine-needle aspiration biopsy has been routinely used for diagnostic evaluation of thyroid nodule. Understanding prognostic factors and risk group analysis is extremely crucial in the overall management of thyroid cancer regarding the extent of thyroidectomy and adjuvant therapy. Patients in the low-risk group do extremely well and can be treated with lobectomy alone while those in the high-risk group invariably require total thyroidectomy due to the need of adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment. Thyroglobulin appears to be a good tumor marker in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy during follow-up. One of the major nuances in the management of thyroid cancer is the availability of recombinant TSH which can be used for radioactive iodine dosimetry during the follow-up of patients with well differentiated thyroid cancer. This prevents patients from becoming hypothyroid for an extended period of time which directly affects their quality of life. Understanding poorly differentiated thyroid cancer is extremely crucial as an important histologic prognostic factor and generally being nonradioavid tumors. PET scan is useful in the follow-up of these patients to evaluate the extent of distant metastasis.

Well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in Hong Kong Chinese patients under 21 years of age: a 35-year experience.

Sporadic well-differentiated thyroid cancer is an uncommon condition in children, adolescents, and young adults. It is associated with distinct clinicopathologic features and prognosis. The present study reviews our experience in management of this condition in ethnic Chinese in Hong Kong. A retrospective study was performed to review the clinicopathologic features and outcomes of 34 patients less than 21 years of age with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma over a 35-year period. Median followup was 15.2 years (range 1 to 32.5 years). There were 27 girls and 7 boys with a median age of 19 years (range 10 to 21 years). None had previous history of irradiation. Twenty-eight patients had papillary and six had follicular carcinomas. Operative procedures included total thyroidectomy (n = 27) and unilateral lobectomy (n = 7) with concomitant neck dissection performed in nine patients. The median tumor size was 2 cm and extrathyroidal invasion was present in 19 tumors. Adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment was administered to 18 patients after total thyroidectomy. Disease progression or recurrence rate was 24% and 27% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. The presence of lymph node metastases was associated with a higher incidence of disease recurrence. One patient with advanced local disease died from tumor bed recurrence with anaplastic transformation 18 years after the initial operation. Well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma is a relatively indolent tumor associated with good prognosis in young patients. Although death from this condition is rare, recurrence is frequent and longterm followup is necessary.