Complication Rates of Total Thyroidectomy vs Hemithyroidectomy for Treatment of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Association of Medicaid expansion with access to thyroidectomy for benign disease at high-volume centers

BACKGROUND

Insurance-based disparities in access to thyroidectomy are well established. Patients undergoing thyroidectomy by high-volume surgeons have fewer complications and better postoperative outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of Medicaid expansion with access to high-volume centers for thyroidectomy for benign disease.

METHODS

The Vizient Clinical Data Base was queried for adult operations for benign thyroid disease from 2010 to 2019. Centers were sorted by volume into quartiles. Difference-in-difference analysis evaluated changes in insurance populations in expansion and non-expansion states after Medicaid expansion. Odds of patients undergoing operations in the 4 volume quartiles after stratifying by insurance and Medicaid expansion status were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 82,602 patients underwent operations at 364 centers. Expansion states increased Medicaid coverage in all volume quartiles compared to non-expansion states after Medicaid expansion (Q1, +4.87%, Q2, +5.35%, Q3, +8.57%, Q4, +4.62%, P < .002 for all). After Medicaid expansion, Medicaid patients had higher odds of undergoing operation at lower volume hospitals compared to the highest volume centers in both expansion states (Q1, ref, Q2, 1.82, Q3, 1.76, Q4, 1.67, P < .001) and non-expansion states (Q1, ref, Q2, 1.54, Q3, 2.04, Q4, 1.44, P < .001). Privately insured patients were most likely to undergo their operation at the highest volume centers in all states (E: Q1, ref, Q2, 0.78, Q3, 0.74, Q4, 0.66, P < .001; NE: Q1, ref, Q2, 0.89, Q3, 0.58, Q4, 0.85, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Medicaid expansion increased Medicaid coverage in expansion states, but Medicaid patients in both expansion and non-expansion states were less likely to be operated on at the highest volume centers compared to privately insured patients. Persistent barriers to accessing high-volume care still exists for Medicaid patients.

Long-term comparison of image-guided thermal ablation vs. lobectomy for solitary papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a multi-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Image-guided thermal ablation has been applied in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) who refuse surgery or active surveillance. However, evidence to support ablation is limited by single-center designs and a lack of long-term data. The purpose of this study was to compare long-term outcomes between ablation and lobectomy for patients with solitary PTMC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This multi-center retrospective study included 1021 consecutive patients with solitary PTMC who underwent ablation ( n =444) or lobectomy ( n =577) at the four university-affiliated hospitals. The primary outcomes were disease progression [lymph node metastasis (LNM), recurrent tumors, persistent tumors and distant metastasis] and disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary outcomes were complications, hospitalization, procedure time, estimated blood loss and cost. The two groups were compared using propensity score matching.

RESULTS

After matching, no significant differences were observed in disease progression (4.7% vs. 3.4%, P =0.307), LNM (1.6% vs. 1.6%, P =1.000), recurrent tumors (2.9% vs. 1.8%, P =0.269), persistent tumors(0.2% vs. 0%, P =0.317) and DFS (95.5% vs. 97.1%, P =0.246) between the ablation and lobectomy groups during the median follow-up of 96.5 months. The ablation group had significantly lower complication rates (0.7% vs. 5.2%, P <0.001), shorter post-treatment hospitalization {median [interquartile range (IQR)], 0 vs. 4.0 [3.0] days, P <0.001}, shorter procedure time [8.5 (2.8) vs. 90.0 (43.8) min, P <0.001], reduced estimated blood loss [0 vs. 20.0 (10.0) ml, P <0.001], and lower cost [$1873.2 (254.0) vs. $2292.9 (797.8), P <0.001] than the lobectomy group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed comparable disease progression and survival outcomes between ablation and lobectomy for solitary PTMC. Imaged-guided thermal ablation could be effective and safe alternatives to lobectomy for properly selected patients with PTMC.

The preferred surgical choice for intermediate-risk papillary thyroid cancer: total thyroidectomy or lobectomy? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The optimal surgical approach for intermediate-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (IR-PTC) (according to ATA definition), whether total thyroidectomy (TT) or lobectomy (LT), has remained a contentious clinical gray area for several decades. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to provide robust evidence and address this clinical dilemma comprehensively.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from 1st January 2009 to 29th December 2023 to evaluate the impact of different surgical options (TT or LT) on patients with IR-PTC. The primary outcomes included survival, recurrence rates, and postoperative complications. I2 and sensitivity analysis was used to explore the heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 8 studies involving 2984 participants were included in this meta-analysis and systematic review. The results indicated that LT was a superior choice for mitigating complications compared to TT [risk ratio (RR), 0.32; 95% CI: 0.24-0.44, P <0.01], particularly for transient complications (RR, 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.65, P <0.01), such as the transient parathyroid dysfunction (RR, 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01-0.15, P <0.01). However, TT did not increase the risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RR, 0.78; 95% CI: 0.24-2.47, P =0.67), hemorrhage/seroma (RR, 0.77; 95% CI: 0.48-1.25, P =0.30), and permanent complications (RR, 0.18; 95% CI: 0.02-1.42, P =0.10). Besides, both LT and TT presented similar effect on survival outcomes (overall survival: RR, 1.00; 95% CI: 0.97-1.03, P =0.92, disease-specific survival: RR, 0.99; 95% CI: 0.97-1.02, P =0.69, recurrence-free survival: RR, 1.00; 95% CI: 0.96-1.05, P =0.86), recurrence (RR, 1.05; 95% CI: 0.76-1.46, P =0.76).

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis revealed that TT did not yield improved outcomes in IR-PTC patients, but was associated with an increased incidence of temporary complications. In light of these findings, it may be advisable to consider LT as the optimal choice for IR-PTC patients.

Conformal thyroidectomy is a feasible option in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a retrospective cohort study with 10-year follow-up results

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been an increasing prevalence of patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) without lymph node involvement in medical centers worldwide. For patients who are unable to undergo active surveillance (AS) and are afraid of postoperative complications, conformal thyroidectomy may be a suitable option to ensure both preservation of function and complete removal of the tumor.

METHODS

The patients in the cohort during 2010 to 2015 were retrospectively enrolled strictly following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The observation and control groups were defined based on the surgical approach, with patients in the observation group undergoing conformal thyroidectomy and patients in the control group undergoing lobectomy. Event-free survival (EFS), the interval from initial surgery to the detection of recurrent or metastatic disease, was defined as the primary observation endpoint.

RESULTS

A total of 319 patients were included in the study, with 124 patients undergoing conformal thyroidectomy and 195 patients undergoing lobectomy. When compared to lobectomy, conformal thyroidectomy demonstrated reduced hospital stays, shorter operative times, and lower rates of vocal cord paralysis and hypoparathyroidism. Furthermore, the mean bleeding volume during the operation and the rate of permanent hypothyroidism were also lower in the conformal thyroidectomy group than in the lobectomy group. However, there was no statistically significant difference observed in the 5- and 10-year EFS between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Conformal thyroidectomy had advantages in perioperative management and short-term complication rates, with an EFS that was not inferior to that of lobectomy. Thus, conformal thyroidectomy is a feasible option for low-risk PTMC patients.

Assessing Adequacy: A Meta-Analysis of Rapid Onsite Evaluation of Thyroid Nodules

INTRODUCTION

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is the standard form of preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodule cytological status. A significant number FNAs are classified as inadequate for interpretation, requiring a repeat FNA which is potentially avoidable, costly, and delays treatment. To address these concerns and maximize first-time FNA adequacy, rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) of FNA specimens was introduced. Our study aims to determine the impact of ROSE on FNA adequacy.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for primary articles assessing the adequacy of ROSE in thyroid nodules.

RESULTS

A total of 17 studies were included for a total of 24,649 thyroid nodes. Thirteen thousand two hundred fifteen (53.6%) thyroid nodules were assessed utilizing ROSE and 11,434 (46.4%) were not. Pooled adequacy increased significantly from 76% without ROSE to 92% with rose (P = 0.001). Use of ROSE increased the odds of adequate FNA by 22% (risk ratio (RR) = 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-1.32). At institutions with less than 85% effective diagnostic adequacy without ROSE, the risk for diagnostic adequacy increased by 28% with ROSE implementation (RR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.20-1.37). In contrast, in studies reported from institutions with an effective diagnostic rate greater than 85% without the use of ROSE, the diagnostic adequacy only increased by 5% with ROSE implementation (RR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.03-1.06).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of ROSE during first-time FNA of thyroid nodules can significantly improve adequacy, especially at institutions with baseline high inadequacy rates. Implementation of ROSE can reduce repeat FNAs and its associated consequences.

Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma as an Acceptable Management Option with Additional Benefits: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

BACKGRUOUND

Active surveillance (AS) has been introduced as a management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) due to its typically indolent nature. Despite this, the widespread adoption of AS has encountered several challenges. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the safety of AS related to disease progression and its benefits compared with immediate surgery (IS).

METHODS

Studies related to AS in patients with low-risk PTC were searched through the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases. Studies on disease progression, surgical complication, quality of life (QoL), and cost-effectiveness were separately analyzed and narratively synthesized.

RESULTS

In the evaluation of disease progression, the proportions of cases with tumor growth ≥3 mm and a volume increase >50% were 2.2%-10.8% and 16.0%-25.5%, respectively. Newly detected lymph node metastasis was identified in 0.0%-1.4% of patients. No significant difference was found between IS and delayed surgery in surgical complications, including vocal cord paralysis and postoperative hypoparathyroidism. AS was associated with better QoL than IS. Studies on the cost-effectiveness of AS reported inconsistent data, but AS was more cost-effective when quality-adjusted life years were considered.

CONCLUSION

AS is an acceptable management option for patients with low-risk PTC based on the low rate of disease progression and the absence of an increased mortality risk. AS has additional benefits, including improved QoL and greater QoL-based cost-effectiveness.

Surgical management of low-risk papillary thyroid cancer in real life in Spain: a nationwide survey of endocrine neck surgeons and endocrinologists

BACKGROUND

The extent of surgery in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a subject of ongoing debate. We aimed to explore the attitude of Spanish specialists (endocrinologists, surgeons, and otolaryngologists) in real life on the surgical management of low-risk PTC.

METHODS

We designed an anonymous, web-based survey to inquire information regarding the preferences of interviewees for hemithyroidectomy (Hem), total thyroidectomy (TT) and prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) in one standard patient with PTC and six clinical variants. We differentiated between small (1.1-2.5 cm) and large (2.6-4.0 cm) tumors.

RESULTS

A total of 278 valid responses were received and divided into two groups: group END (n = 135) and group SUR (n = 143, 101 general surgeons and 42 otolaryngologists). The preference for Hem was low in the standard patient and similar between both groups (40.6 vs 49.0%, NS). This preference decreased for tumors measuring 2.6-4.0 cm, multifocal, with risk location, family history of thyroid cancer, or history of irradiation, and increased in patients older than 65 years or with comorbidity. Preference for pCND ranged from 12.6-71.1% in the group END and from 22.4-65.0% in the group SUR, with few differences between the two. In multivariate analysis, being a high-volume specialist was associated with a lower preference for Hem, while having private practice was associated with a more favorable opinion of Hem.

CONCLUSION

The real clinical practice of Spanish specialists is far from what is recommended by the clinical guidelines in patients with low-risk PTC, especially among high-volume professionals.

Completion thyroidectomy: A safe option for high-volume surgeons

BACKGROUND

The risk of complication in patients undergoing completion thyroidectomy (cT) is mixed. Several studies report increased risk in comparison to total thyroidectomy (TT) and still others reporting a comparatively decreased risk. We compared the rates of complication in patients at our institution undergoing thyroid lobectomy (TL), (TT), and cT by a single high-volume surgeon.

METHODS

We performed a single-institution retrospective cohort study. Patients undergoing TL, TT, or cT by a high-volume surgeon were included. Rates of complication were collected and compared between the three cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 310 patients were included. The overall rate of complication was 4.2%. The complication rates in the TL, TT, and cT cohorts were 1%, 7.1%, and 4.5%, respectively (p = 0.10). Transient hypocalcemia was slightly more common in the TT cohort (6.1%) as opposed to the TL (0%) or cT (0.9%) cohort (p = 0.01). The cohorts also had similar rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve signal loss leading to transient dysphonia (TL: 0% vs. TT: 1% vs. cT: 3.6%, p = 0.10).

CONCLUSIONS

While rates of complication tended to predictably decrease as approaches became less extensive, there were no significant differences in complication rates among the three surgical approaches when performed by a high-volume surgeon. Considering the low rates of complication overall, patient counseling and preference should be emphasized to provide appropriate and tailored treatment plans.

The significance of short-term preoperative calcium and activated vitamin D3 supplementation in thyroidectomy: a randomized trial and prospective study

Objective

The aim was to explore the effects of preoperative calcium and activated vitamin D3 supplementation on post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia and hypo-parathyroid hormone-emia (hypo-PTHemia).

Methods

A total of 209 patients were randomly divided into control group (CG) and experimental group (EG). Oral calcium and activated vitamin D3 supplementation were preoperatively administered to EG, whereas a placebo was administered to CG. Data on serum calcium, phosphorus, and PTH concentrations before operation, on postoperative day 1 (POPD1), at postoperative week 3 (POPW3), and on the length of postoperative hospitalization were collected.

Results

The serum calcium, phosphorus, and PTH concentrations, as well as the incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia and hypo-PTHemia, did not significantly differ between EG and CG. Subgroup analysis revealed that the serum calcium concentrations of the experimental bilateral thyroidectomy subgroup (eBTS) on POPD1 and POPW3 were higher than that of the control bilateral thyroidectomy subgroup (cBTS) (P < 0.05); the reduction of serum calcium in eBTS on POPD1 and POPW3 was less than those in cBTS (P < 0.05). However, significant differences were not observed between the unilateral thyroidectomy subgroups (UTS) (P > 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia in cBTS on POPD1 was significantly higher than that in eBTS (65.9% vs 41.7%) (P < 0.05). The length of hospitalization in cBTS (3.55 ± 1.89 days) was significantly longer than that (2.79 ± 1.15 days) in eBTS (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Short-term preoperative prophylactic oral calcium and activated vitamin D3 supplementation could effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia and decrease the length of postoperative hospitalization in patients who have undergone bilateral thyroidectomy.

Differential utilization of thyroid lobectomy after the 2015 American Thyroid Association guideline update

Background

The 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines added thyroid lobectomy (TL) as the appropriate treatment for low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). We aimed to investigate the population-level factors that influence the utilization of TL.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was queried for all DTC patients fitting low-risk criteria as defined by the ATA. Trends in total thyroidectomy (TT) and TL were identified using a Cochrane-Armitage test. Multivariable logistic regression identified patient and socioeconomic characteristics associated with TL, and difference-in-difference analysis was used to control for secular trends over time.

Results

A total of 43,526 patients with low-risk DTC were identified in the SEER database; 39,411 pre-2015 and 4115 post-2015. After 2015, TT continued to outnumber TL (76.2% vs 23.8%), although the rate of TL increased significantly (11.6% to 23.8%, P < 0.001). However, difference-in-difference analysis found that age > 55 (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.19, P < 0.001) and rurality (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.28, P < 0.001) were independently associated with TT. TL was associated with T1 disease (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.19, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Although the 2015 ATA guideline update led to an increase in TL for low-risk DTC, most patients still underwent TT. Age and neighborhood significantly impact the odds of receiving guideline-appropriate TL for low-risk DTC, especially for T2 disease.

Total thyroidectomy versus unilateral lobectomy for unilateral multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma: systematic review and meta‑analysis

The optimal surgical procedure(s) for unilateral multifocal papillary thyroid carcinomas is currently controversial. As such, the present study aimed to compare the efficacies of total thyroidectomy and lobectomy in patients with unilateral multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma. A literature search of the PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wan Fang, and Zhi Wang databases for relevant studies, published from inception to October 31, 2022, was performed. Two researchers independently extracted data from the included studies. Lymph node metastasis, vocal fold paralysis, parathyroid injury, postoperative recurrence, and disease-free survival were evaluated. The meta-analysis included 7 studies comprising 1540 patients, of whom 496 and 1044 underwent lobectomy and total thyroidectomy, respectively. Compared with lobectomy, total thyroidectomy resulted in more vocal cord paralysis (odds ratio [OR] 0.35 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13 to 0.96]; P = 0.04) and parathyroid injury (OR 0.11 [95% CI 0.03-0.39]; P = 0.001) but with better disease-free survival (OR 0.21 [95% CI 0.09-0.49]; P = 0.000), although vocal cord paralysis and parathyroid injury, in large part, resolved within 1 year after surgery. In addition, there was no difference in postoperative lymph nodes metastasis (OR 0.74 [95% CI 0.13-4.21]; P = 0.737) and postoperative recurrence (OR 2.37 [95% CI 0.42-13.38]; P = 0.33). Excluding studies that deviated from the general trend, total thyroidectomy was beneficial in reducing recurrence. Compared with lobectomy, total thyroidectomy was beneficial in reducing recurrence and disease-free survival and may be considered a more optimal approach for unilateral multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Effect of rapid rehabilitation surgery nursing on patients undergoing radical thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of rapid rehabilitation surgery nursing on degree of pain and stress response in patients undergoing radical thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, the clinical data of 100 patients who received radical thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma in Pingkuang General Hospital between November 2020 and October 2022 were analyzed. Among the patients, 56 who received rapid rehabilitation surgery nursing were assigned to the research group, and the other 44 patients who received routine nursing were assigned to the control group. The two groups were compared for thyroid hormone level, degree of pain, stress response, recovery time, hospitalization time, anxiety and depression, nursing satisfaction, and the incidence of complications.

RESULTS

The pain score, recovery time, and hospitalization time in the research group were all lower than those of the control group (all P < 0.05). 48 hours after operation, the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level of the two groups was significantly increased, and was higher in the research group than the control group. Triodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were significantly decreased, and was lower in the research group than the control group (all P < 0.05). One day after operation, the levels of plasma cortisol (Cor) and angiotensin II (Ang II) in both groups were increased, with significantly lower levels in the research group than the control group (all P < 0.05). After surgery, the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores in both groups decreased (P < 0.05), with significantly lower SAS and SDS scores in the research group than the control group (all P < 0.05). Additionally, the research group expressed higher nursing satisfaction than the control group (P < 0.05), and the research group showed a lower incidence of postoperative complications than the control group (P < 0.05). Age, gender, course of disease, pathologic type, and nursing method were risk factors affecting the prognosis. Logistic regression analysis showed that pathologic type and nursing method were independent risk factors affecting prognosis.

CONCLUSION

For patients undergoing radical thyroidectomy, rapid rehabilitation surgical nursing can effectively reduce postoperative pain and anxiety, shorten recovery time and hospitalization time, decrease incidence of complications and stress response, but promote a fasterrecovery after operation, and improve the quality of life.

Recommend with caution: A meta-analysis investigating papillary thyroid carcinoma tumor progression under active surveillance

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is an indolent disease with favorable outcomes. The non-surgical treatment approach known as active surveillance (AS) has been introduced as an alternative treatment instead of the traditional thyroidectomy. However, 10-15 % of PTC tend to progress. We sought to determine factors predicting the progression of PTC under AS.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in January 2022 using PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. PRISMA guidelines were used by multiple reviewers to extract study characteristics (author name, publication date, journal name, country, institution, and study design), as well as main outcomes and measures. A combination of utilization of thyroid replacement therapy, baseline tumor size and volume, follow-up tumor size and volume, and the presence of lymph node metastasis and its distribution, as well as surveillance duration, were the main measures of this study.

RESULTS

Nine studies with 4166 patients were included, of which 354 showed tumor progression during AS (15 %; 95%CI = 7 % - 23 %). The average follow-up period was 41.58 months. The mean tumor maximum diameter was 8.54 mm (95%CI = 7.04-10.03). Tumor progression was most commonly secondary to an increase in volume by ≥50 % (75 %; 95%CI = 68 % - 80 %), then increase in diameter by ≥3 mm (41 %; 95%CI = 13 % - 76 %), and finally the development of lymph node metastasis (13 %; 95%CI = 9 % - 19 %). Approximately only 2 % of all patients thus developed new lymph node metastasis. Patient age, sex, and tumor size were not associated with higher risks of tumor progression. 12 % of AS patients eventually underwent surgery, though only 40 % (95%CI = 27 % - 53 %) of these patients displayed tumor progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis determined a tumor progression rate of 15 % in patients who underwent AS management, 13 % of which (2 % of all patients) developed lymph node metastasis. We found no protective or risk factors for tumor progression, and that almost half of all patients who underwent delayed surgery did so for reasons other than tumor progression. While not biopsying small (<1 cm) or very low suspicious nodules is already recommended, AS may be an appropriate treatment option in patients appropriately counseled, considering the low risk of advanced tumor progression but also the considerable patient population who fail to adhere to treatment. Alternatively, in aim of preventing overtreatment in patients who would rather take proactive measures against their low-risk carcinoma, minimally-invasive ablation techniques may be an attractive option.

Development of a novel clinical support tool for active surveillance of low risk papillary thyroid cancer

Background

Active surveillance (AS) is an alternative to surgery in select patients with very low risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Many clinicians feel ill-equipped in selecting appropriate patients. We aimed to 1) Develop an evidence-based web delivered decision support tool to assist clinicians in identifying patients appropriate for AS; and 2) Evaluate the prevalence of patients suitable for AS in a tertiary high volume thyroid cancer centre.

Method

A REDCap web based clinical support tool was developed utilising evidence-based characteristics for AS suitability available to clinicals during initial assessment. A retrospective database was interrogated for patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy between 2012 - 2021 with final histopathology demonstrating PTC. Patients with PTCs>2cm, missing data, benign disease on surgical histopathology or incidental PTC were excluded.

Results

Between 2012 - 2021, 763 patients underwent hemithyroidectomy with final histopathology confirming PTC. Of these, 316 patients were excluded (missing data, incidental PTC, concomitant hyperparathyroidism were most common reasons for exclusion) and 114/447 remaining patients had a pre-operative fine needle aspirate (FNA) of Bethesda V or VI (high likelihood of malignancy). Using the tool, 59/114 (52%) met criteria for AS. The majority of patients were female (85% vs 15% male); median age 36 years (range 19 - 78). Following initial surgery, 10/59 patients had a completion thyroidectomy, with 4/10 demonstrating malignancy in contralateral lobe and eight of those patients undergoing I131 ablation. During a median follow up of over 3 years, 49/59 (83%) did not require further surgery or intervention with no patients developing recurrence. A subgroup analysis with second radiology assessment excluded 4/59 patients as meeting criteria for AS based on presence of ETE on preoperative ultrasound. None of these 4 patients had completion thyroidectomy.

Conclusion

Our clinical support tool identifies patients with PTC potentially suitable for AS which could be utilised during initial patient assessment. In a retrospective cohort of patients who had hemithyroidectomy for PTC with a pre-operative FNA diagnosis of Bethesda V or VI, 55/114 (48%) patients may have been suitable for AS. Prospective validation studies are required for implementation of the tool in clinical practice.

Bilaterality, not multifocality, is an independent risk factor for recurrence in low-risk papillary thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

The impact of multifocality and bilaterality on recurrence in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is relevant when considering patients for a de-escalated treatment strategy: hemithyroidectomy instead of total thyroidectomy followed with or without radioactive iodine. This study aims to analyze contralateral tumor probability in patients treated for low-risk PTC and assess multifocality and bilaterality as possible predictors for recurrence.

METHODS

Patients with low-risk PTC treated with total thyroidectomy followed with or without radioactive iodine in the Netherlands between 2005 and 2015 were included in this study. Patients were identified from the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization (IKNL) and linked with the nationwide network and registry of Pathology in the Netherlands (PALGA). Contralateral tumor probability and recurrence were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 791 included patients, 41.8% (331 of 791) had multifocal disease, with 68.9% (228 of 331) of those patients having bilateral disease. The contralateral tumor probability after hemithyroidectomy was 24.6% (150 of 610) for patients with unifocal disease and 43.1% (78 of 181) for patients with multifocal disease. We found a higher trend of recurrence in patients with bilateral disease, regardless of multifocality: in patients with contralateral disease after precompletion diagnosed unifocal disease 7.3% (11 of 150) had recurrent disease, and patients without contralateral disease after precompletion diagnosed multifocal disease 1.9% (2 per 103) had recurrence. Cox regression analysis showed that bilaterality (hazard ratio = 3.621, 95% confidence interval = 1.548 to 8.471) was the sole statistically significant risk factor for recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Low recurrence rates are found in patients with either multifocal or bilateral disease with low-risk PTC. Bilaterality should be taken into account when considering these patients for de-escalated treatment strategy.

Initial ablation ratio predicts the recurrence of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinomas treated with microwave ablation: a 5-year, single-institution cohort study

Objective

To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) in treating low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC) and to identify predictive factors for the postoperative local tumor progression of PTMC.

Methods

A total of 154 low-risk PTMC patients treated with MWA who were followed up for at least 3 months were retrospectively recruited. Ultrasonography was performed after MWA to assess the local tumor progression. Adverse events associated with MWA were recorded. The ablated volume (Va) and initial ablation ratio (IAR) were measured to assess their influences on the recurrence risk of PTMC.

Results

The mean tumor volume of PTMC before MWA was 0.071 (0.039, 0.121) cm3, with a maximum diameter of 0.60 ± 0.18 cm. All PTMC patients were followed up for 6 (3, 18) months. Va increased immediately after MWA, then gradually decreased over time, till significantly smaller at 12 months than that before MWA (P < 0.05). The median volume reduction ratio at 24 months reached 100%, which was maintained during a 60-month follow-up. A total of 7 (4.55%) cases of local tumor progression were recorded during the follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the rate of local tumor progression was significantly lower in PTMC patients with a maximum tumor diameter < 0.70 cm than in those with ≥0.70 cm (P = 0.031). A significant better prognosis was achieved in PTMC patients with IAR ≥ 15 than in those with IAR < 15 (P = 0.015). Sex, age (<55 years) and preoperative thyroid-stimulating hormone (>2.0 mU/L) of PTMC patients were not correlated with local tumor progression.

Conclusion

MWA is an effective therapeutic strategy for low-risk PTMC with high safety. The maximum tumor diameter and IAR are predictive factors for the local tumor progression of PTMC after MWA.

Prognostic Value of Preoperative Molecular Testing and Implications for Initial Surgical Management in Thyroid Nodules Harboring Suspected (Bethesda V) or Known (Bethesda VI) Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Importance

Molecular testing is commonly used in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. The role of molecular testing in prognosticating oncologic outcomes in thyroid nodules with suspicious or malignant cytology is unclear.

Objective

To determine whether molecular profiling of Bethesda V (suspicious for thyroid cancer) and VI (thyroid cancer) nodules is associated with improved prognostication and whether it may inform initial treatment.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with Bethesda V or VI nodules who underwent surgery, with histopathology showing differentiated thyroid cancer, between May 1, 2016, and July 31, 2019 in the University of California, Los Angeles health system. Data were analyzed between April 2, 2021, and January 18, 2023.

Exposures

Masked ThyroSeq, version 3 molecular analysis after completion of initial treatment and acquisition of follow-up data.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Structural disease persistence or recurrence, distant metastasis, and recurrence-free survival were assessed using ThyroSeq Cancer Risk Classifier (CRC) molecular risk groups (low, RAS-like; intermediate, BRAF-like; high, combination of BRAF/RAS plus TERT or other high-risk alterations) using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

In 105 patients with papillary thyroid cancer (median [IQR] follow-up, 3.8 [3.0-4.7] years), ThyroSeq identified genomic alterations in 100 (95%) samples (6 [6%] low risk, 88 [88%] intermediate risk, and 6 [6%] high risk; median [IQR] age, 44 [34-56] years; 68 [68%] female and 32 [32%] male). No patients with low-risk or negative results experienced recurrence. Of the 88 patients with intermediate risk, 6 (7%) experienced local recurrence, with 1 of them also developing distant metastasis. The 6 patients with high risk (all with BRAF V600E plus TERT mutation) underwent total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation. Four patients with high risk (67%) experienced local recurrence, with 3 of them also developing distant metastasis. Thus, patients with high-risk alterations were more likely to experience persistence or recurrence and distant metastasis than patients with intermediate risk. In a multivariable analysis incorporating patient age, sex, cancer size, ThyroSeq molecular risk group, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node positivity, American Thyroid Association risk, and RAI ablation, only cancer size (hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.02-1.80) and ThyroSeq CRC molecular risk group (high vs intermediate and low: hazard ratio, 6.22; 95% CI, 1.04-37.36) were associated with structural recurrence.

Conclusions and Relevance

Among the 6% of patients with high-risk ThyroSeq CRC alterations in this cohort study, the majority experienced recurrence or distant metastasis despite initial treatment with total thyroidectomy and RAI ablation. In contrast, patients with low- and intermediate-risk alterations had a low recurrence rate. Preoperative knowledge of molecular alteration status at diagnosis may allow for deescalation of initial surgery and refining of the intensity of postoperative surveillance in patients presenting with Bethesda V and VI thyroid nodules.

A Comprehensive Management of Neck Hematoma in Post-Thyroidectomy Patient for Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Case Report

A post-thyroidectomy hematoma is a rare, potentially fatal surgical complication that may present as hoarseness, dysphagia, and difficulty in breathing, which could progress to complete airway obstruction and, ultimately, death. The treatment for a neck hematoma is emergent surgical drainage. While certain precautions can be taken to prevent this complication, such as the cessation of any anticoagulants prior to surgery, it is still a feared complication of thyroidectomy with an increasing prevalence. In this paper, we discuss a case of a 62-year-old female with papillary thyroid cancer who presents with a postoperative complication of a neck hematoma requiring emergent surgery and conduct a literature review on managing post-thyroidectomy hematomas.

Pilot Study on the Use of Untargeted Metabolomic Fingerprinting of Liquid-Cytology Fluids as a Diagnostic Tool of Malignancy for Thyroid Nodules

Although it is the gold standard for assessing the malignancy of thyroid nodules (TNs) preoperatively, the cytological analysis of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) samples results in 20-30% of cases in indeterminate lesions (ITNs). As two-thirds of these lesions will appear benign after diagnostic surgery, improved preoperative diagnostic methods need to be developed. In this pilot study, we evaluate if the metabolomic profiles of liquid-based (CytoRich^®) FNAC samples of benign and malignant nodules can allow the molecular diagnosis of TNs. We performed untargeted metabolomic analyses with CytoRich^® FNAC in a monocentric retrospective study. The cohort was composed of cytologically benign TNs, histologically benign or papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) cytologically ITNs, and suspicious/malignant TNs histologically confirmed as PTCs. The diagnostic performance of the identified metabolomic signature was assessed using several supervised classification methods. Seventy-eight patients were enrolled in the study. We identified 7690 peaks, of which 2697 ions were included for further analysis. We selected a metabolomic signature composed of the top 15 metabolites. Among all the supervised classification methods, the supervised autoencoder deep neural network exhibited the best performance, with an accuracy of 0.957 (0.842-1), an AUC of 0.945 (0.833-1), and an F1 score of 0.947 (0.842-1). Here, we report a promising new ancillary molecular technique to differentiate PTCs from benign TNs (including among ITNs) based on the metabolomic signature of FNAC sample fluids. Further studies with larger cohorts are now needed to identify a larger number of biomarkers and obtain more robust signatures.

Recent Advances in the Surgical Management of Thyroid Cancer

A growing incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has been reported in most developed countries, corresponding mainly to incidentally discovered small papillary thyroid carcinomas. Given the excellent prognosis of most patients with DTC, optimal therapeutic management, minimizing complications, and preserving patient quality of life are essential. Thyroid surgery has a central role in both the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of patients with DTC. Thyroid surgery should be integrated into the global and multidisciplinary management of patients with DTC. However, the optimal surgical management of DTC patients is still controversial. In this review article, we discuss the recent advances and current debates in DTC surgery, including preoperative molecular testing, risk stratification, the extent of thyroid surgery, innovative surgical tools, and new surgical approaches.

Stratification of surgical margin distances by the millimeter on local recurrence in oral cavity cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

There are limited data supporting the commonly suggested 5 mm margin cutoff as the optimum value in defining clear margins in oral cancer. A database search of Pubmed/Medline, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost was performed from inception to June 2022. A random-effects model was chosen for this meta-analysis. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed throughout this study. Seven studies met study criteria (2215 patients). The risk ratio was significantly higher for margins <5 mm when compared to those ≥5 mm (2.09 (95%CI: 1.53-2.86, I2  = 0.47)). Subgroup analysis (I2  = 0.15) of margin distances of 0.0-0.9, 1.0-1.9, 2.0-2.9, 3.0-3.9, and 4.0-4.9 mm calculated risk ratios for local recurrence of 2.96, 2.01, 2.17, 1.8, and 0.98, respectively. Margins between 4.0 and 4.9 mm had similar risk ratios for local recurrence compared to ≥5 mm, while margins <4.0 were significantly higher.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: A Protective Factor against Recurrence in BRAF-Wild Type Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

A recent work analyzing the concomitant factors BRAF mutation (risk factor) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) (protective factor) found that the presence of HT reduced lymph node metastasis in BRAF-mutated papillary thyroid carcinoma. Whether this notion is upheld with respect to disease recurrence and differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), however, is unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of underlying HT in DTC patients and its influence on recurrence with a specific emphasis in BRAF-mutated tumors. A total of 469 patients were included. Patients were stratified according to BRAF and HT status. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to determine protective and risk factors of disease recurrence in patients with DTC. HT was associated with less-aggressive carcinomas including more frequent microcarcinomas (HT: 45.0% vs. no-HT: 34.0%, p = 0.02), less lymph node involvement (HT: 16.4% vs. no-HT: 26.1%, p = 0.02), and less disease recurrence (HT: 2.9% vs. no-HT: 11.9%, p = 0.002). BRAF mutation was also significantly associated with higher rates of lymph node involvement (BRAF-mutant: 41.9% vs. BRAF-wild type: 14.6%, p < 0.001) and almost two times the rate of recurrence (BRAF-mutant: 14.9% vs. BRAF-wild type: 6.5%, p = 0.004). Underlying HT was the only protective factor determined, reducing the odds of developing recurrence by 70% (HR: 0.30, 95%CI: 0.11-0.88). In the BRAF-wild type cohort, regression analysis continued to determine HT as a protective factor (p = 0.03). However, in the BRAF-mutant cohort, HT was no longer an independent protective factor (p = 0.20) against recurrence. Sub-group regression analysis, including PTC patients, similarly found HT as a protective factor only in BRAF-wild type patients (p = 0.039) and not BRAF-mutant (p = 0.627). The presence of underlying HT is associated with less aggressive tumors and is an independent protective factor against DTC recurrence, reducing the risk by 70%. HT remains a protective factor in BRAF-wild type carcinoma, but not in patients with BRAF-mutant carcinoma. HT may potentially be considered as a parameter which enhances American Thyroid Association patient risk stratification.

Avoiding Definitive Conclusions in Meta-analysis of Heterogeneous Studies With Small Sample Sizes

This Viewpoint argues for caution when interpreting the findings of meta-analyses of heterogenous studies with small samples.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Minimizes Lymph Node Metastasis in BRAF Mutant Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) (autoimmune thyroiditis) is a clinicopathological entity associated with chronic lymphocytic infiltration resulting in hypothyroidism. HT is a double-edged sword that increases the risk of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), yet it serves as a protective factor for PTC progression. BRAF mutation in PTCs is associated with rapid cell growth, aggressive tumor characteristics, and higher mortality rates. Here, we aimed to analyze the influence of HT in patients with PTCs and its effect on lymph node metastasis (LNM) in BRAF mutant tumors. Adults diagnosed with PTC between 2008 and January 2021 were retrospectively included. A total of 427 patients, 128 of whom had underlying HT, were included. The HT group had significantly higher rates of microcarcinoma (49.2% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.025) and less lateral LNM (8.6% vs. 17.1%, p = 0.024). Interestingly, BRAF-mutated PTCs were found to have significantly less overall LNM (20.9% vs. 51%, p = 0.001), central LNM (25.6% vs. 45.1%, p = 0.040) and lateral LNM (9.3% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.010) in patients with HT when compared to those without underlying HT. HT was found to be an independent protective predictor of overall and lateral LNM. Altogether, HT was able to neutralize the effect of BRAF mutation and was determined to be an independent protective factor against LNM. Specifically, our work may influence treatment-aggressiveness decision making for endocrinologists, oncologists and surgeons alike.

Clinical assessment of T2 papillary thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective study conducted at a single tertiary institution

The extent of surgery among patients with T2 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains controversial. Thus, we herein aimed to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence, particularly based on the extent of surgery, among patients with T2 PTC at a single tertiary institution. We assessed 251 patients who underwent thyroid surgery for T2 PTC from January 2009 to December 2014 at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital (Seoul, Korea). The mean follow-up duration was 100.7 months. Eleven (4.4%) patients had recurrence. The recurrence rates did not significantly differ in terms of the extent of surgery (p = 0.868). Patients with a high lymph node ratio (LNR) had a significantly higher recurrence rate than those with a low LNR (p < 0.001). According to a recurrence pattern analysis, five of six patients in the lobectomy group had recurrence in the ipsilateral lateral compartment. A multivariate analysis revealed that a high LNR was a significant risk factor for recurrence (hazard ratio: 11.025, p = 0.002). Our results suggest that patients without clinical evidence of any lymph node metastases and those with limited lesions in the thyroid gland can undergo lobectomy and LNR can serve as an independent risk factor for predicting recurrence in T2 PTC.

Health-Related Quality of Life following Total Thyroidectomy and Lobectomy for Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A Systematic Review

Health-related quality of life (HrQoL) is a major concern for patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). We aimed to systematically review the literature comparing HrQol following total thyroidectomy (TT) and hemithyroidectomy (HT) in DTC patients. A systematic review of publications indexed in Medline, Embase, and EBM reviews—Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, which evaluated HrQoL following thyroid surgery for DTC, was conducted. Of 2507 identified records, 25 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Our results suggest that patients undergoing TT may suffer more impairment in physical and social HrQoL than patients undergoing HT. Psychological-related HrQoL and long-term global HrQoL are, however, equivalent in both groups, which highlights the multidimensional nature of HrQoL and the importance of a multitude of factors aside from treatment modalities and related morbidities, such as the experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis, the fear of cancer recurrence, and other psychosocial factors. Addressing postoperative HrQoL when discussing therapeutic options with patients is an integral part of patient-centered care and informed shared decision-making, and should be approached in a holistic manner, accounting for its physical, psychological, and social aspects. This review supplies evidence regarding HrQoL following thyroid surgery, which can be employed in such decisions.