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Koot A, Soares P, Robenshtok E, Locati LD, de la Fouchardiere C, Luster M, Bongiovanni M, Hermens R, Ottevanger P, Geenen F, Bartѐs B, Rimmele H, Durante C, Nieveen-van Dijkum E, Stalmeier P, Dedecjus M, Netea-Maier R. Position paper from the Endocrine Task Force of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) on the management and shared decision making in patients with low-risk micro papillary thyroid carcinoma. Eur J Cancer 2023; 179:98-112. [PMID: 36521335 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has been increasing worldwide, mostly, as an increase in the incidental detection of micro papillary thyroid carcinomas (microPTCs), many of which are potentially overtreated, as suggested by the unchanged mortality. Several international guidelines have suggested a less aggressive approach. More recently, it has been shown that active surveillance or minimally invasive treatments (MIT) are good alternatives for the management of these patients. In this context, patient participation in the decision-making process is paramount. The Endocrine Task Force of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has undertaken the task to establish consensus and define its position based on the scientific evidence concerning, 1) the current state of diagnostic and management options in microPTCs, including the current opinion of physicians about shared decision making (SDM), 2) the available evidence concerning patients' needs and the available decision instruments, and 3) to provide practical suggestions for implementation of SDM in this context. To improve SDM and patients' participation, knowledge gaps and research directions were highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Koot
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Paula Soares
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health - i3S/Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto-IPATIMUP, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Eyal Robenshtok
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Laura D Locati
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Translational Oncology Unit, IRCCS Instituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Markus Luster
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Massimo Bongiovanni
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Ospedale di Circolo di Rho, ASST Rhodense, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosella Hermens
- Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare (IQ Healthcare), Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Petronella Ottevanger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Frans Geenen
- Schildklierorganisatie Nederland (SON), the Netherlands
| | | | - Harald Rimmele
- Bundesverband Schilddrüsenkrebs - Ohne Schilddrüse Leben e.V., Germany
| | - Cosimo Durante
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Els Nieveen-van Dijkum
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Peep Stalmeier
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marek Dedecjus
- Department of Endocrine Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Romana Netea-Maier
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Pitt SC, Saucke MC, Roman BR, Alexander SC, Voils CI. The Influence of Emotions on Treatment Decisions About Low-Risk Thyroid Cancer: A Qualitative Study. Thyroid 2021; 31:1800-1807. [PMID: 34641715 PMCID: PMC8721509 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2021.0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Background: Little is known about the role of emotions in treatment decisions for thyroid cancer. We aimed to characterize the emotional content of patient-surgeon communication during decision-making about low-risk thyroid cancer treatment. Methods: We audio-recorded conversations about treatment for clinically low-risk thyroid cancer or biopsy suspicious for thyroid cancer between patients (n = 30) and surgeons (n = 9) in two diverse, academic hospitals in the United States. Inductive and deductive content analyses were used to characterize the emotional content in verbatim transcripts. Results: Patients' expression of emotion focused on primarily on their diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Patients commonly expressed negative emotions like fear and anxiety about "the C-word" and worried about the cancer growing or spreading. In response, most surgeons used education, as opposed to empathy or validation, to reassure patients, often highlighting low probabilities of adverse events. Surgeons emphasized the "slow-growing" nature and excellent prognosis of thyroid cancer compared with other malignancies. When discussing treatment options, surgeons often described alternatives in terms of their emotional outcomes. Some described total thyroidectomy as providing "peace of mind" or a "sense of completeness," warning that cancer or thyroid tissue remaining in the body with active surveillance or lobectomy might "worry" or "bother" patients. Surgeons supported deliberation by reassuring patients that there are "two right answers" and "no rush" to decide. Conclusions: Patients express negative emotions during treatment decision-making. In response, surgeons often miss opportunities to provide empathy in addition to education. Surgeons and patients both acknowledge patient fear and anxiety as a reason to choose thyroidectomy instead of active surveillance. Peace of mind gained by patients and surgeons as a result of thyroidectomy may lead to overtreatment of patients with low-risk thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan C. Pitt
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Address correspondence to: Susan C. Pitt, MD, MPHS, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Tubman 2920F, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Megan C. Saucke
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Benjamin R. Roman
- Division of Head and Neck, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Corrine I. Voils
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Research Service, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Ma T, Semsarian CR, Barratt A, Parker L, Kumarasinghe MP, Bell KJL, Nickel B. Rethinking Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancers < 1cm (Papillary Microcarcinomas): An Evidence Review for Recalibrating Diagnostic Thresholds and/or Alternative Labels. Thyroid 2021; 31:1626-1638. [PMID: 34470465 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2021.0274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Recalibrating diagnostic thresholds or using alternative labels may mitigate overdiagnosis and overtreatment of papillary microcarcinoma (mPTC). We aimed at identifying and collating relevant epidemiological evidence on mPTC, to assess the case for recalibration and/or new labels. Methods: We searched EMBASE and PubMed databases from inception to December 2020 for natural history, autopsy, diagnostic drift, and diagnostic reproducibility studies. Where a relevant systematic review was pre-identified, only new articles were additionally included. Non-English articles were excluded. One author screened titles and abstracts. Two authors screened full text articles, performed quality assessments, and extracted data. We undertook narrative synthesis of included evidence (pooled estimates from systematic reviews and single estimates from primary studies). Results: One systematic review of patients undergoing active surveillance found that after 5 years of follow-up, 5.3% (95% confidence interval [CI 4.4-6.4%]) of the mPTC lesions had increased in size by ≥3 mm, and 1.6% [CI 1.1-2.4%] of patients had lymph node metastases. Among 7 new primary studies (including 3 updates on 2 studies included in the systematic review), 1-5% of patients undergoing active surveillance had lymph node metastases after a median follow-up of 1-10 years. One systematic review found that subclinical thyroid cancer incidentally discovered at autopsy is relatively common, with a pooled prevalence of 11.2% [CI 6.7-16.1%] among studies that examined the whole thyroid. Four diagnostic drift studies evaluated the new classification of non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). Three studies of cases previously diagnosed as papillary thyroid cancer found 1.3-2.3% were reclassified as NIFTP (reclassifications were from follicular variation of papillary thyroid cancer [FVPTC]). One study of 48 cases previously diagnosed as mPTC found that 23.5% were reclassified as NIFTP. Thirteen reproducibility studies of papillary thyroid lesions found substantial variation in the histopathological diagnosis of thyroid lesions, including FVPTC and NIFTP classifications (no study evaluated mPTC). Conclusions: This review supports consideration of recalibrating diagnostic thresholds and/or alternative labels for low-risk mPTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Ma
- Wiser Healthcare, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Caitlin R Semsarian
- Wiser Healthcare, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexandra Barratt
- Wiser Healthcare, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lisa Parker
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marian Priyanthi Kumarasinghe
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Discipline of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Katy J L Bell
- Wiser Healthcare, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brooke Nickel
- Wiser Healthcare, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Jensen CB, Saucke MC, Pitt SC. Active surveillance for thyroid Cancer: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to implementation. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:471. [PMID: 33910527 PMCID: PMC8080390 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08230-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines supported active surveillance (AS) as a strategy for managing select low-risk thyroid cancers. Data examining physicians' attitudes about the acceptability of this option are limited. This study aimed to characterize the barriers and facilitators to implementing AS as perceived by practicing endocrinologists and surgeons in the United States. METHODS We conducted 24 semi-structured interviews probing physicians' attitudes toward AS for patients with small, low-risk thyroid cancer. We used deductive content analysis guided by a well-known model of guideline implementation. Analysis characterized concepts and themes related to AS implementation as physician, guideline, or external factors. We performed member checking to validate results. RESULTS The most prominent barriers to AS were related to physician factors, although guideline-specific and external barriers were also observed. Physician attitudes towards AS comprised the majority of physician-related barriers, while lack of knowledge about the guideline was also discussed. Participants' concerns about the potential negative outcomes resulting from observing a cancer were notable as were the lack of confidence in performing and offering surveillance. Beliefs about patient expectations and lack of knowledge about the guideline were also identified as barriers to offering surveillance. Guideline-specific and external barriers included the vagueness of surveillance protocols, lack of data supporting active surveillance, and societal beliefs about cancer. Facilitators of active surveillance included patients' desire to avoid surgery and shared decision-making. CONCLUSIONS Barriers and facilitators of active surveillance for low-risk thyroid cancers exist at multiple levels. Strategies to increase adoption of active surveillance should focus on physicians' attitudes, patient expectations, data supporting surveillance outcomes, and promoting societal-level acceptance of surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine B Jensen
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Megan C Saucke
- Wisconsin Surgical Outcomes Research Program, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Susan C Pitt
- Wisconsin Surgical Outcomes Research Program, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA. .,Division of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave., CSC H4/724, Madison, WI, 53792-7375, USA.
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