REFERRAL OF OLDER THYROID CANCER PATIENTS TO A HIGH-VOLUME SURGEON: RESULTS OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY PHYSICIAN SURVEY

OBJECTIVE

Surgical outcomes of thyroid cancer patients are improved with high-volume surgeons. However, age disparities in referral to specialist surgical centers still exist. The factors that influence decision making regarding referral of older thyroid cancer patients to high-volume surgeons remain unknown.

METHODS

We surveyed members of the Endocrine Society, American College of Physicians, and American Academy of Family Practice.

RESULTS

Overall, 270 physicians completed the survey. Patient preference (69%), transportation barriers (62%), and confidence in local surgeon (54%) were the most cited factors decreasing likelihood of referral to a high-volume surgeon. In clinical scenarios, referral rates to a high-volume surgeon were similar for patients aged 40 and 65 years with a 1-cm thyroid nodule diagnostic of thyroid cancer (n = 137 [54%]; n = 132 [52%], respectively) as for an 85-year-old with a 4-cm nodule (n = 148 [59%]). When comorbidities were introduced, more physicians (n = 186 [74%]) would refer a 65-year-old with a 4-cm thyroid nodule and comorbidities, compared to an 85-year-old with the same nodule size without comorbidi-ties. In multivariable analysis, treating >10 thyroid cancer patients/year (P<.001; P<.005) and endocrinology specialty (P = .003; P = .003) were associated with referral to a high-volume surgeon for a 65-year-old with comorbidities and an 85-year-old without comorbidities, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Understanding surgical referral patterns of older thyroid cancer patients is vital in identifying obstacles in the referral process. We found that patient factors including comorbidities and physician factors including specialty and patient volume influence these patterns. This is the first step towards developing targeted interventions for these patients.

Use of imaging tests after primary treatment of thyroid cancer in the United States: population based retrospective cohort study evaluating death and recurrence

OBJECTIVE

 To determine whether the use of imaging tests after primary treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer is associated with more treatment for recurrence and fewer deaths from the disease.

DESIGN

 Population based retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

 Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare database in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

 28 220 patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer between 1998 and 2011. The study cohort was followed up to 2013, with a median follow-up of 69 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

 Treatment for recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer (additional neck surgery, additional radioactive iodine treatment, or radiotherapy), and deaths due to differentiated thyroid cancer. We conducted propensity score analyses to assess the relation between imaging (neck ultrasound, radioiodine scanning, or positron emission tomography (PET) scanning) and treatment for recurrence (logistic model) and death (Cox proportional hazards model).

RESULTS

 From 1998 until 2011, we saw an increase in incident cancer (rate ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.06), imaging (1.13, 1.12 to 1.13), and treatment for recurrence (1.01, 1.01 to 1.02); the change in death rate was not significant. In multivariable analysis, use of neck ultrasounds increased the likelihood of additional surgery (odds ratio 2.30, 95% confidence interval 2.05 to 2.58) and additional radioactive iodine treatment (1.45, 1.26 to 1.69). Radioiodine scans were associated with additional surgery (odds ratio 3.39, 95% confidence interval 3.06 to 3.76), additional radioactive iodine treatment (17.83, 14.49 to 22.16), and radiotherapy (1.89, 1.71 to 2.10). Use of PET scans was associated with additional surgery (odds ratio 2.31, 95% confidence interval 2.09 to 2.55), additional radioactive iodine treatment (2.13, 1.89 to 2.40), and radiotherapy (4.98, 4.52 to 5.49). Use of neck ultrasounds or PET scans did not significantly affect disease specific survival (hazard ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval 0.98 to 1.27, and 0.91, 0.77 to 1.07, respectively). However, radioiodine scans were associated with an improved disease specific survival (hazard ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.82).

CONCLUSIONS

 The marked rise in use of imaging tests after primary treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer has been associated with an increased treatment for recurrence. However, with the exception of radioiodine scans in presumed iodine avid disease, this association has shown no clear improvement in disease specific survival. These findings emphasize the importance of curbing unnecessary imaging and tailoring imaging after primary treatment to patient risk.

THE IMPACT OF AGE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM: RESULTS OF A NATIONWIDE SURVEY

OBJECTIVE

Evidence exists that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) increases with age and lowering the TSH goal in older patients on thyroid hormone may cause over-treatment. Risks of overtreatment include cardiac and skeletal events. We assessed practice patterns regarding TSH goals and explored factors influencing physicians' decision making when managing hypothyroidism.

METHODS

Members of the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Practice, and the Endocrine Society were surveyed to determine goal TSH when treating hypothyroidism.

RESULTS

Fifty-three percent of physicians reported factoring patient age into their decision making when managing hypothyroidism. Patient age was prioritized third (53%), following patient symptoms (69.2%) and cardiac arrhythmias (65.7%). In multivariable analysis, endocrinologists (P = .002), internists (P = .049), physicians in academic settings (P = .003), and high-volume physicians (P = .021) were more likely to consider patient age when determining goal TSH. When presented with scenarios differing in patient gender and age, 90% of physicians targeted a TSH ≤3.0 mIU/L in 30-year-old patients. Fifty-three percent of respondents targeted a TSH ≤3.0 mIU/L in octogenarians, but 90% targeted a TSH >1.5 mIU/L in this group. Regardless of gender, physician-reported TSH goal ranges (0.1 to 0.5, 0.6 to 1.5, 1.6 to 3.0, and 3.1 to 5.0 mIU/L) increased in a direct relationship to patient age (P<.001).

CONCLUSION

Just over half of physicians consider patient age when determining TSH goal. When presented with scenarios differing in patient age and gender, physicians targeted a higher TSH goal in octogenarians. This may indicate an attempt to avoid overtreatment in this group. Consensus is needed among physicians regarding the role of patient age in hypothyroidism management.

ABBREVIATIONS

TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Effect of Thyrotropin Suppression Therapy on Bone in Thyroid Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

The thyroid cancer incidence is rising. Despite current guidelines, controversy exists regarding the degree and duration of thyrotropin suppression therapy. Also, its potential skeletal effects remain a concern to physicians caring for thyroid cancer patients. We conducted a review of published data to evaluate existing studies focusing on the skeletal effects of thyrotropin suppression therapy in thyroid cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search of the PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was conducted. The retained studies were evaluated for methodological quality, and the study populations were categorized into premenopausal women, postmenopausal women, and men.

RESULTS

Twenty-five pertinent studies were included. Seven studies were longitudinal and 18 were cross-sectional. Of the 25 included studies, 13 were assigned an excellent methodological quality score. Three of 5 longitudinal studies and 3 of 13 cross-sectional studies reported decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women; 2 of 4 longitudinal studies and 5 of 13 cross-sectional studies reported decreased BMD in postmenopausal women. The remaining studies showed no effect on BMD. The only longitudinal study of men showed bone mass loss; however, cross-sectional studies of men did not demonstrate a similar effect.

CONCLUSION

Studies to date have yielded conflicting results on the skeletal effects of thyrotropin suppression therapy and a knowledge gap remains, especially for older adults and men. Existing data should be cautiously interpreted because of the variable quality and heterogeneity. Identifying groups at risk of adverse effects from thyrotropin suppression therapy will be instrumental to providing focused and tailored thyroid cancer treatment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The standard treatment for thyroid cancer includes total thyroidectomy with or without radioactive iodine ablation, often followed by thyrotropin suppression therapy. Despite current guidelines, controversy exists regarding the degree and duration of thyrotropin suppression therapy, and discordant results have been reported on its adverse effects on bone. The present review provides physicians with existing data on the skeletal effects of thyrotropin suppression therapy, highlighting the need for further research to identify the groups at risk of adverse skeletal effects. This knowledge will aid in developing tailored thyroid cancer treatment.

Conditional survival in advanced colorectal cancer and surgery

BACKGROUND

Recent data show patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) are surviving longer. What is unknown is how specific treatment modalities affect long-term survival. Conditional survival, or survival prognosis based on time already survived, is becoming an acceptable means of estimating prognosis for long-term survivors. We evaluated the impact of cancer-directed surgery on long-term survival in patients with advanced CRC.

METHODS

We used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data to identify 64,956 patients with advanced (Stage IV) CRC diagnosed from 2000-2009. Conditional survival estimates by stage, age, and cancer-directed surgery were obtained based on Cox proportional hazards regression model of disease-specific survival.

RESULTS

A total of 64,956 (20.1%) patients had advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. The proportion of those patients who underwent cancer-directed surgery was 65.1% (n = 42,176). Cancer-directed surgery for patients with advanced stage disease was associated with a significant improvement in traditional survival estimates compared to patients who did not undergo surgery (hazard ratio = 2.22 [95% confidence interval, 2.17-2.27]). Conditional survival estimates show improvement in conditional 5-y disease-specific survival across all age groups, demonstrating sustained survival benefits for selected patients with advanced CRC.

CONCLUSIONS

Five-year disease-specific conditional survival improves dramatically over time for selected patients with advanced CRC who undergo cancer-directed surgery. This information is important in determining long-term prognosis and will help inform treatment planning for advanced CRC.

Evaluating Positron Emission Tomography Use in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database, a substantial increase was found in the use of positron emission tomography (PET) scans after 2004 in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients. The reason for the increased utilization of the PET scan was not clear based on available the data. Therefore, the indications for and outcomes of PET scans performed at an academic institution were evaluated.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed of DTC patients who underwent surgery at the University of Michigan Health System from 2006 to 2011. After identifying patients who underwent a PET scan, indications, rate of positive PET scans, and impact on management were evaluated. For positive scans, the location of disease was characterized, and presence of disease on other imaging was determined.

RESULTS

Of the 585 patients in the cohort, 111 (19%) patients had 200 PET scans performed for evaluation of DTC. Indications for PET scan included: elevated thyroglobulin and negative radioiodine scan in 52 scans (26.0%), thyroglobulin antibodies in 13 scans (6.5%), rising thyroglobulin in 18 scans (9.0%), evaluation of abnormality on other imaging in 22 scans (11.0%), evaluation of extent of disease in 33 scans (16.5%), follow-up of previous scan in 57 scans (28.5%), other indications in two scans (1.0%), and unclear indications in three scans (1.5%). The PET scan was positive in 124 studies (62.0%); positivity was identified in the thyroid bed on 25 scans, cervical or mediastinal lymph nodes on 105 scans, lung on 28 scans, bone on four scans, and other areas on 14 scans. Therapy following PET scan was surgery in 66 cases (33.0%), chemotherapy or radiation in 23 cases (11.5%), observation in 110 cases (55.0%), and palliative care in one case (0.5%). Disease was identifiable on other imaging in 66% of cases. PET scan results changed management in 59 cases (29.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this academic medical center, the PET scan was utilized in 19% of patients. Indications for the PET scan included conventional indications, such as elevated thyroglobulin with noniodine avid disease, and more controversial uses, such as evaluation of extent of disease or abnormalities on other imaging tests. PET scan results changed management in about 30% of cases.

Retrospective Study of Sirolimus and Cyclophosphamide in Patients with Advanced Differentiated Thyroid Cancers

BACKGROUND

We hypothesize that the combination of an mTOR inhibitor, sirolimus, with a well-known cytotoxic agent, cyclophosphamide, provides a well-tolerated and promising alternative treatment for advanced, differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC).

METHODS

This retrospective review extracted data from patients treated for advanced DTC at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center from 1995 through 2013. Fifteen patients treated with combination sirolimus and cyclophosphamide were identified as the sirolimus+cyp group. Seventeen patients treated with standard of care and enrolled in clinical trials were identified as the comparison group.

RESULTS

The one-year progression free survival rate (PFS) was 0.45, 95% CI [0.26, 0.80] in the sirolimus+cyp population and 0.30, 95% CI [0.13, 0.67] in the comparison population. The hazard ratio for PFS from initiation of treatment was 1.47, 95% CI [0.57, and 3.78]. In patients treated as first line, one-year PFS rate was 0.57, 95% CI [0.30, 1.00] in the sirolimus+cyp group and relatively unchanged at 0.29, 95% CI [0.11, 0.74] in the comparison group. The hazard ratio for PFS for first line patients was 1.10, 95% CI[ 0.4, and 3.5]. In patients with 3 or fewer sites of metastases, the one year PFS was 0.58, 95% CI [0.33, 1.00] in the sirolimus+cyp group, and 0.37, 95% CI [0.17, 0.80] in the comparison group. The average number of toxicities was 0.87 in the sirolimus+cyp patients and 1.71 in the comparison group.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of sirolimus and cyclophosphamide was generally well tolerated with similar progression free survival, highlighting its applicability in patients with limited options.

Trends in imaging after diagnosis of thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

The largest growth noted among differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) diagnosis is in low-risk cancers. Trends in imaging after the diagnosis of DTC are understudied. Hypothesizing a reduction in imaging use due to rising low-risk disease, the authors evaluated postdiagnosis imaging patterns over time and patient characteristics that are associated with the likelihood of imaging.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database, the authors identified patients diagnosed with localized, regional, or distant DTC between 1991 and 2009. Medicare claims were reviewed for use of neck ultrasound, iodine-131 (I-131) scan, or positron emission tomography (PET) scan within 3 years after diagnosis. Trends in imaging use were evaluated using regression analyses. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of imaging based on patient characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 23,669 patients were included. Compared with patients diagnosed between 1991 and 2000, those diagnosed between 2001 and 2009 were more likely to have localized disease (P<.001) and tumors measuring <1 cm (P<.001). Use of neck ultrasound and I-131 scans increased in patients with localized disease (P ≤.001 and P = .003, respectively), regional disease (P<.001 and P<.001, respectively), and distant metastasis (P = .001 and P = .015, respectively). Patients diagnosed after 2000 were more likely to undergo neck ultrasound (odds ratio, 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 2.02-2.28) and I-131 scan (odds ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-1.54). Compared with 1996 through 2004, PET scan use from 2005 to 2009 increased 32.4-fold (P≤.001) in patients with localized disease, 13.1-fold (P<.001) in patients with regional disease, and 33.4-fold (P<.001) in patients with distant DTC.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite an increase in the diagnosis of low-risk disease, the use of postdiagnosis imaging increased among patients with all stages of disease. The largest growth observed was in the use of PET after 2004.

Conditional survival in patients with thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Thyroid cancer is an increasingly common malignancy. Although likelihood of survival from well-differentiated thyroid cancer can vary by disease severity, it is not known how patients' life expectancies change the farther they are from time of diagnosis.

METHODS

Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, End Results (SEER) registry, we selected patients diagnosed with well-differentiated thyroid cancer (N=43,392) between 1998 and 2005. Patients were followed for up to 12 years. Conditional survival estimates by SEER stage and age were obtained based on Cox proportional hazards regression model of disease-specific survival.

RESULTS

Patients with localized thyroid cancer have excellent conditional 5-year survival, irrespective of where they are in their survivorship phase. Patients with regional thyroid cancer have relatively stable conditional 5-year survival, whereas for patients with distant thyroid cancer there is gradual improvement the farther from time of diagnosis. Age and gender influence conditional survival. Similarly, age has a strong effect on disease-specific survival for patients with thyroid cancer with localized (hazard ratio [HR] 88.7 [95% confidence interval {CI} 26.3-552), comparing age ≥80 with <30 years), regional (HR 105 [95% CI 52.6-250]), and distant disease [HR 86.8 (95% CI 32.5-354)]. Male gender is also associated with a significantly worse disease-specific survival among patients with regional disease (HR 1.56 [95% CI 1.31-1.85]) but not among patients with localized or distant disease.

CONCLUSION

Cancer stage, gender, age at diagnosis, and length of time already survived can influence conditional survival for patients with thyroid cancer. Understanding the conditional 5-year disease-specific survival of well-differentiated thyroid cancer is key to creating treatment plans and tailoring surveillance.

Tree-based model for thyroid cancer prognostication

BACKGROUND

Death is uncommon in thyroid cancer patients, and the factors important in predicting survival remain inadequately studied. The objective of this study was to assess prognostic effects of patient, tumor, and treatment factors and to determine prognostic groups for thyroid cancer survival.

METHODS

Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER), we evaluated overall and disease-specific survival (DSS) in 43 392 well-differentiated thyroid cancer patients diagnosed from 1998 through 2005. Multivariable analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression, survival trees, and random survival forest. Similar analyses were performed using National Cancer Data Base data, with overall survival (OS) evaluated in 131 484 thyroid cancer patients diagnosed from 1998 through 2005. Relative importance of factors important to survival was assessed based on the random survival forest analyses.

RESULTS

Using survival tree analyses, we identified 4 distinct prognostic groups based on DSS (P < .0001). The 5-year DSS of these prognostic groups was 100%, 98%, 91%, 64%, whereas the 10-year survival was 100%, 96%, 85%, and 50%. Based on random survival forest analyses, the most important factors for DSS were SEER stage and age at diagnosis. For OS, important prognostic factors were similar, except age at diagnosis demonstrated marked importance relative to SEER stage. Similar results for OS were found using National Cancer Data Base data.

CONCLUSION

This study identifies distinct prognostic groups for thyroid cancer and illustrates the importance of patient age to both disease-specific and OS. These findings have implications for patient education and thyroid cancer treatment.

Referral patterns for patients with high-risk thyroid cancer

OBJECTIVE

Knowledge of referral patterns for specialty cancer care is sparse. Information on both the need and reasons for referral of high-risk, well-differentiated thyroid cancer patients should provide a foundation for eliminating obstacles to appropriate patient referrals and improving patient care.

METHODS

We surveyed 370 endocrinologists involved in thyroid cancer management. From information in a clinical vignette, respondents were asked to identify the reasons they would need to refer a high-risk patient to a more specialized facility for care. We performed multivariable analysis controlling for hospital and physician characteristics.

RESULTS

Thirty-two percent of respondents reported never referring thyroid cancer patients to another facility. Of those that would refer a high-risk patient to another facility, the opportunity for a patient to enter a clinical trial was the most common reason reported (44%), followed by high-dose radioactive iodine (RAI) with or without dosimetry (33%), lateral neck dissection (24%), and external beam radiation (15%). In multivariable analysis, endocrinologists with a higher percentage of their practice devoted to thyroid cancer care were significantly less likely to refer patients to another facility (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

The majority of endocrinologists treating thyroid cancer patients report referring a high-risk patient to another facility for some or all of their care. Knowledge of the patterns of physician referrals and the likelihood of need for referral are key to understanding discrepancies in referral rates and obstacles in the referral process.

The effect of extent of surgery and number of lymph node metastases on overall survival in patients with medullary thyroid cancer

CONTEXT

Total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection is recommended in patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). However, the relationship between disease severity and extent of resection on overall survival remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to identify the effect of surgery on overall survival in MTC patients.

METHODS

Using data from 2968 patients with MTC diagnosed between 1998 and 2005 from the National Cancer Database, we determined the relationship between the number of cervical lymph node metastases, tumor size, distant metastases, and extent of surgery on overall survival in patients with MTC.

RESULTS

Older patient age (5.69 [95% CI, 3.34-9.72]), larger tumor size (2.89 [95% CI, 2.14-3.90]), presence of distant metastases (5.68 [95% CI, 4.61-6.99]), and number of positive regional lymph nodes (for ≥16 lymph nodes, 3.40 [95% CI, 2.41-4.79]) were independently associated with decreased survival. Overall survival rate for patients with cervical lymph nodes resected and negative, cervical lymph nodes not resected, and 1-5, 6-10, 11-16, and ≥16 cervical lymph node metastases was 90, 76, 74, 61, 69, and 55%, respectively. There was no difference in survival based on surgical intervention in patients with tumor size ≤ 2 cm without distant metastases. In patients with tumor size > 2.0 cm and no distant metastases, all surgical treatments resulted in a significant improvement in survival compared to no surgery (P < .001). In patients with distant metastases, only total thyroidectomy with regional lymph node resection resulted in a significant improvement in survival (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of lymph node metastases should be incorporated into MTC staging. The extent of surgery in patients with MTC should be tailored to tumor size and distant metastases.

Marginal treatment benefit in anaplastic thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Because anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare malignancy with a high mortality rate, the benefit of multimodality treatment was evaluated.

METHODS

Overall survival was determined in the 2742 patients captured by the National Cancer Database who were diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer between 1998 and 2008. Kaplan-Meier analysis and then Cox proportional hazard regression was performed, controlling for patient characteristics and treatment.

RESULTS

Only older age (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] for  ≥  85 years = 3.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.34-5.03; for 75-84 years, AHR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.97-4.11; for 65-74 years, AHR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.53-3.15; for 45-64 years, AHR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.47-2.95) and omission of treatment were associated with greater mortality (omission of surgery: AHR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.61-1.99; omission of radiation therapy: AHR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.41-1.73; and omission of chemotherapy: AHR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.15-1.43). In subgroup analysis of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IVA, IVB, and IVC anaplastic thyroid cancer, combination therapy with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy was associated a difference in median survival of months.

CONCLUSIONS

Multimodality management of anaplastic thyroid cancer results in a marginal treatment benefit. The poor overall survival of all anaplastic thyroid cancer patients, regardless of treatment, emphasizes the need for informed patients whose preferences are incorporated into treatment decision-making.

Clinical Practice Guideline

Objective

Thyroidectomy may be performed for clinical indications that include malignancy, benign nodules or cysts, suspicious findings on fine needle aspiration biopsy, dysphagia from cervical esophageal compression, or dyspnea from airway compression. About 1 in 10 patients experience temporary laryngeal nerve injury after surgery, with longer lasting voice problems in up to 1 in 25. Reduced quality of life after thyroid surgery is multifactorial and may include the need for lifelong medication, thyroid suppression, radioactive scanning/treatment, temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism, temporary or permanent dysphonia postoperatively, and dysphagia. This clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for management of the patient’s voice when undergoing thyroid surgery during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative period.

Purpose

The purpose of this guideline is to optimize voice outcomes for adult patients aged 18 years or older after thyroid surgery. The target audience is any clinician involved in managing such patients, which includes but may not be limited to otolaryngologists, general surgeons, endocrinologists, internists, speech-language pathologists, family physicians and other primary care providers, anesthesiologists, nurses, and others who manage patients with thyroid/voice issues. The guideline applies to any setting in which clinicians may interact with patients before, during, or after thyroid surgery. Children under age 18 years are specifically excluded from the target population; however, the panel understands that many of the findings may be applicable to this population. Also excluded are patients undergoing concurrent laryngectomy. Although this guideline is limited to thyroidectomy, some of the recommendations may extrapolate to parathyroidectomy as well.

Results

The guideline development group made a strong recommendation that the surgeon should identify the recurrent laryngeal nerve(s) during thyroid surgery. The group made recommendations that the clinician or surgeon should (1) document assessment of the patient’s voice once a decision has been made to proceed with thyroid surgery; (2) examine vocal fold mobility, or refer the patient to a clinician who can examine vocal fold mobility, if the patient’s voice is impaired and a decision has been made to proceed with thyroid surgery; (3) examine vocal fold mobility, or refer the patient to a clinician who can examine vocal fold mobility, once a decision has been made to proceed with thyroid surgery if the patient’s voice is normal and the patient has (a) thyroid cancer with suspected extrathyroidal extension, or (b) prior neck surgery that increases the risk of laryngeal nerve injury (carotid endarterectomy, anterior approach to the cervical spine, cervical esophagectomy, and prior thyroid or parathyroid surgery), or (c) both; (4) educate the patient about the potential impact of thyroid surgery on voice once a decision has been made to proceed with thyroid surgery; (5) inform the anesthesiologist of the results of abnormal preoperative laryngeal assessment in patients who have had laryngoscopy prior to thyroid surgery; (6) take steps to preserve the external branch of the surperior laryngeal nerve(s) when performing thyroid surgery; (7) document whether there has been a change in voice between 2 weeks and 2 months following thyroid surgery; (8) examine vocal fold mobility or refer the patient for examination of vocal fold mobility in patients with a change in voice following thyroid surgery; (9) refer a patient to an otolaryngologist when abnormal vocal fold mobility is identified after thyroid surgery; (10) counsel patients with voice change or abnormal vocal fold mobility after thyroid surgery on options for voice rehabilitation. The group made an option that the surgeon or his or her designee may monitor laryngeal electromyography during thyroid surgery. The group made no recommendation regarding the impact of a single intraoperative dose of intravenous corticosteroid on voice outcomes in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

Variation in the management of thyroid cancer

CONTEXT

Little is known about practice patterns in thyroid cancer, a cancer that is increasing in incidence.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify aspects of thyroid cancer management that have the greatest variation.

DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

We surveyed 944 physicians involved in thyroid cancer care from 251 hospitals affiliated with the US National Cancer Database. Physicians were asked questions in the following four domains: thyroid surgery, radioactive iodine use, thyroid hormone replacement postsurgery, and long-term thyroid cancer management. We calculated the ratio of observed variation to hypothetical maximum variation under the assumed distribution of the response. Ratios closer to 1 indicate greater variation.

RESULTS

We had a 66% response rate. We found variation in multiple aspects of thyroid cancer management, including the role of central lymph node dissections (variation, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.00), the role of pretreatment scans before radioactive iodine treatment (variation, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.98-1.00), and all aspects of long-term thyroid cancer management, including applications of ultrasound (variation, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.93-0.99) and radioactive iodine scans (variation, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97-1.00). For the management of small thyroid cancers, variation exists in all domains, including optimal extent of surgery (variation, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.88-0.94) and the role of both radioactive iodine treatment (variation, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.89-0.93) and suppressive doses of thyroid hormone replacement (variation, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.99-1.00).

CONCLUSION

We identified areas of variation in thyroid cancer management. To reduce the variation and improve the management of thyroid cancer, there is a need for more research and more research dissemination.

Factors that influence radioactive iodine use for thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

There is variation in the use of radioactive iodine (RAI) as treatment for well-differentiated thyroid cancer. The factors involved in physician decision-making for RAI remain unknown.

METHODS

We surveyed physicians involved in postsurgical management of patients with thyroid cancer from 251 hospitals. Respondents were asked to rate the factors important in influencing whether a thyroid cancer patient receives RAI. Multivariable analyses controlling for physician age, gender, specialty, case volume, and whether they personally administer RAI, were performed to determine correlates of importance placed on patients' and physicians' worry about death from cancer and differences between low- versus higher-case-volume physicians.

RESULTS

The survey response rate was 63% (534/853). Extent of disease, adequacy of surgical resection, patients' willingness to receive RAI, and patients' age were the factors physicians were most likely to report as quite or very important in influencing recommendations for RAI to patients with thyroid cancer. Interestingly, both physicians' and patients' worry about death from thyroid cancer were also important in determining RAI use. Physicians with less thyroid cancer cases per year were more likely than higher-volume physicians to report patients' (p<0.001) and physicians' worry about death (p=0.016) as quite or very important in decision-making. Other factors more likely to be of greater importance in determining RAI use for physicians with lower thyroid cancer patient volume versus higher include the accepted standard at the affiliated hospital (p=0.020), beliefs about RAI expressed by colleagues comanaging patients (p=0.003), and patient distance from the nearest facility administering RAI (p=0.012).

CONCLUSION

In addition to the extent of disease and adequacy of surgical resection, physicians place importance on physician and patient worry about death from thyroid cancer when deciding whether to treat a patient with RAI. The factors important to physician decision-making differ based on physician thyroid-cancer case-volume, with worry about death being more influential for low-case-volume physicians. As the mortality from thyroid cancer is low, the importance placed on death in decision making may be unwarranted.

Disease severity and radioactive iodine use for thyroid cancer

CONTEXT

Although variation in radioactive iodine (RAI) use for thyroid cancer has been demonstrated, the role of region and nonclinical correlates of use within risk groups has not been investigated.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine the correlates of RAI use within risk groups.

DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS

Use of RAI was evaluated across 9 US regions in 85 948 patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer diagnosed between 2004 and 2008 at 986 hospitals associated with the US National Cancer Database. Cancers were then categorized as low risk (tumor size ≤ 1 cm and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage I disease), medium risk (neither low nor high-risk), and high risk (American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III or IV). Within each risk stratum, the role of region and nonclinical correlates of RAI use were evaluated using hierarchical logistic regression.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Use of RAI was measured.

RESULTS

Rates of RAI use varied across geographic regions from 49% to 66%. Regional differences persisted after controlling for patient and hospital characteristics and evaluating less vs more intensive regions within low-risk [odds ratio (OR) 0.36 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-0.53)], medium-risk [OR 0.23 (95% CI 0.16-0.34)], and high-risk cancers [OR 0.30 (95% CI 0.19-0.49)]. Patterns of RAI use were similar in medium- and high-risk patients. The most nonclinical correlates of use were in low-risk patients.

CONCLUSION

Similar treatment patterns for the heterogeneous medium-risk thyroid cancer patients compared with the high-risk patients suggest more intensive management in patients with medium-risk disease. The large number of nonclinical correlates of RAI use, including region, imply controversy over indications for RAI.

Surgeon training and use of radioactive iodine in stage I thyroid cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The majority of thyroid cancer diagnoses in the United States are stage I well-differentiated cancer. The use of radioactive iodine (RAI) in these low-risk patients has increased over time. The role of surgeon training in decision making regarding treatment with RAI is unknown.

METHODS

Thyroid surgeons affiliated with 368 hospitals associated with the US National Cancer Database (NCDB) were surveyed. Survey data were linked to the NCDB data. A multivariable weighted analysis controlling for surgeon and hospital characteristics was conducted to examine the relationship between surgeon training, continuing education and hospital-level RAI use for stage I well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

RESULTS

The response rate was 70% (560 of 804). In both univariate and multivariable analysis controlling for hospital case volume, practice setting and surgeon specialty, training with a thyroid surgeon was associated with less RAI use for stage I thyroid cancer (P = 0.022 and 0.028, respectively). Attending one or more professional society meetings a year was associated with a lower rate of hospital-level RAI use in univariate analysis (P = 0.044) but not multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Training with a surgeon or group of surgeons who focus on thyroid surgery was associated with a lower proportion of stage I thyroid cancer patients receiving RAI after total thyroidectomy. This study emphasizes the importance of surgeon training in hospital practice patterns.

The role of clinicians in determining radioactive iodine use for low-risk thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

There is controversy regarding the optimal management of thyroid cancer. The proportion of patients with low-risk thyroid cancer who received radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment increased over the last 20 years, and little is known about the role played by clinicians in hospital-level RAI use for low-risk disease.

METHODS

Thyroid surgeons affiliated with 368 hospitals that had Commission on Cancer-accredited cancer programs were surveyed. Survey data were linked to data reported to the National Cancer Database. A multivariable analysis was used to assess the relation between clinician decision makers and hospital-level RAI use after total thyroidectomy in patients with stage I, well differentiated thyroid cancer.

RESULTS

The survey response rate was 70% (560 of 804 surgeons). The surgeon was identified as the primary decision maker by 16% of the surgeons; the endocrinologist was identified as the primary decision maker by 69%, and a nuclear medicine, radiologist, or other physician was identified as the primary decision maker by 15%. In a multivariable analysis controlling for hospital case volume and hospital type, when the primary decision maker was in a specialty other than endocrinology or surgery, there was greater use of RAI at the hospital (P < .001). A greater number of providers at the hospital where RAI was administered and having access to a tumor board also were associated with increased use of RAI (P < .001 and P = .006, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The specialty of the primary decision maker, the number of providers administering RAI, and having access to a tumor board were associated significantly with the use of RAI for stage I thyroid cancer. The findings have implications for addressing nonclinical variation between hospitals, with a marked heterogeneity in decision making suggesting that standardization of care will be challenging.

Approach to and treatment of thyroid disorders in the elderly

Thyroid gland dysfunction is prevalent in older adults and may be associated with significant morbidity if misdiagnosed and left untreated. Because of a decreased number of symptoms at presentation, an increased susceptibility to adverse events if not treated, and a greater likelihood of harm from treatment, the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders in older adults can be challenging. This review focuses on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, risks and complications, and management of thyroid disorders in older adults, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer.

Use of radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer

CONTEXT

Substantial uncertainty persists about the indications for radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer. Use of radioactive iodine over time and the correlates of its use remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine practice patterns, the degree to which hospitals vary in their use of radioactive iodine, and factors that contribute to this variation.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS

Time trend analysis of radioactive iodine use in a cohort of 189,219 patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer treated at 981 hospitals associated with the US National Cancer Database between 1990 and 2008. We used multilevel analysis to assess the correlates of patient and hospital characteristics on radioactive iodine use in the cohort treated from 2004 to 2008.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Use of radioactive iodine after total thyroidectomy.

RESULTS

Between 1990 and 2008, across all tumor sizes, there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer receiving radioactive iodine (1373/3397 [40.4%] vs 11,539/20,620 [56.0%]; P < .001). Multivariable analysis of patients treated from 2004 to 2008 found that there was a statistical difference in radioactive iodine use between American Joint Committee on Cancer stages I and IV (odds ratio [OR], 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.37) but not between stages II/III and IV (for stage II vs stage IV, OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.88-1.07 and for stage III vs stage IV, OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.95-1.17). In addition to patient and tumor characteristics, hospital volume was associated with radioactive iodine use. Wide variation in radioactive iodine use existed, and only 21.1% of this variation was accounted for by patient and tumor characteristics. Hospital type and case volume accounted for 17.1% of the variation. After adjusting for available patient, tumor, and hospital characteristics, 29.1% of the variance was attributable to unexplained hospital characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Among patients treated for well-differentiated thyroid cancer at hospitals in the National Cancer Database, there was an increase in the proportion receiving radioactive iodine between 1990 and 2008; much of the variation in use was associated with hospital characteristics.

The most commonly occurring papillary thyroid cancer in the United States is now a microcarcinoma in a patient older than 45 years

BACKGROUND

The incidence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is growing at a faster rate than any other malignancy. However, it is unknown what effect age is having on the changing PTC incidence rates. With the goal of understanding the role of age in thyroid cancer incidence, this study analyzes the changing demographics of patients with PTC over the past three decades.

METHODS

This was a retrospective evaluation of the incidence rates of PTC from 1973 to 2006 reported by the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

RESULTS

From 1973-2006 the age group most commonly found to have PTC has shifted from patients in their 30s to patients in the 40-50-year-old age group. In 1973 60% of PTC cases were found in patients younger than 45, and the majority of cases continued to occur in younger patients until 1999. After 1999 PTC became more common in patients older than 45 years, and in 2006, 61% of PTC cases were in patients older than 45 years. From 1988 to 2003 there has been an increasing incidence of all sizes of PTC in all age groups with the largest increase in tumors <1 cm in patients older than 45. Forty-three percent of tumors in patients older than 45 are now <1 cm, whereas only 34% are <1 cm in patients younger than 45. Of the nearly 20,000 thyroid cancer cases in 2003, 24% were microcarcinomas in patients over the age of 45.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of PTC is increasing disproportionally in patients older than 45 years. The number of PTC tumors smaller than 1 cm is increasing in all age groups, and now the most commonly found PTC tumor in the United States is a microcarcinoma in a patient older than 45 years. These changing patterns relating age and incidence have important prognostic and treatment implications for patients with PTC.