Clinical factors associated with worse quality-of-life scores in United States thyroid cancer survivors

Health-related quality of life and radioiodine therapy in thyroid cancer patients: a before-and-after study

OBJECTIVE

Thyroid cancers are on the rise, but the associated vital prognosis and long-term survival rates are very good. Therefore, treated patients' quality of life and psychological well-being are important considerations. The treatment usually involves surgery and radioactive iodine (radioiodine) ablation. This study aims to investigate potential effects of radioiodine ablation therapy on health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms, and nutritional status at 6 months post-therapy.

METHODS

This study included 136 patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Absorbed doses to the salivary glands were estimated from dosimeters worn by patients. Patient health-related quality of life, psychological status and nutritional status were assessed before and 6 months after therapy using standardized questionnaires (including SF-36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale). Statistical analyses included random-effects logistic and linear regressions adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

While no significant association was found between radioiodine exposure and anxiety or depression symptoms, or nutritional status, a significant increase in the SF-36 role physical sub- score was observed in relation with the salivary gland dose (β= 6.54, 95%CI 2.71;10.36 for a 1-Gy increase).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest an improved physical health-related quality of life, namely reduced pain and functional impairment, 6 months after radioiodine therapy in thyroid cancer patients. No significant association was found between radioiodine exposure and mental health-related quality of life, anxiety or depression scores nor nutritional status. This study does not provide any evidence that radioiodine therapy has a potentially adverse effect on patient health-related quality of life.

Dose-dependent relationship between levothyroxine and health-related quality of life in survivors of differentiated thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Long-term survival for patients with differentiated (papillary, follicular, and Hürthle cell) thyroid cancer exceeds 95% but self-reported health-related quality of life scores remain low compared with survivors of cancers with worse prognoses. There are reports that thyroid hormone replacement therapy is associated with lower health-related quality of life. This hypothesis was tested in a sample of Medicare Advantage survivors of differentiated thyroid cancer.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the linked 2007-2017 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer to conduct a cross-sectional study. Levothyroxine 6-month defined daily dose was calculated from claims data. Defined daily dose was classified as low, average, or high on the basis of standard deviations around body mass index-specific means. Veterans RAND 12-item Quality of Life Survey measures were categorized by T score as low health-related quality of life (T scores ≤25), moderately low (25< T scores ≤50), and high (T scores >50). The association of defined daily dose and health-related quality of life was tested using multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (n = 782), 67.5% were prescribed levothyroxine for thyroid hormone replacement therapy (mean defined daily dose 123 μg; standard deviation 44.1 μg). Greater defined daily dose was associated with greater relative risk of low (compared with moderately low) health-related quality of life on several measures including Role Limitation (relative risk, 4.9, 95% confidence interval, 2.1-11.6) and Social Functioning (relative risk, 5.6, 95% confidence interval, 2.5-12.5), as well as greater relative risk of multiple low-scoring health-related quality of life measures.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest greater-than-average thyroid hormone replacement therapy dosages may be associated with lower health-related quality of life among survivors of differentiated thyroid cancer. Given the prevalence of thyroid hormone replacement therapy among survivors of differentiated thyroid cancer, thyroid hormone replacement therapy dose adjustment warrants close attention to address the functional and psychosocial well-being of patients.

Assessment of preoperative health-related quality of life in patients undergoing thyroidectomy based on patient-reported outcomes

Introduction

To evaluate the preoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and influencing factors of HRQoL in patients undergoing thyroidectomy based on patient-reported outcomes.

Materials and methods

Patients who were diagnosed and treated in Sichuan Cancer Hospital from February 2022 to December 2022 and were scheduled to undergo thyroidectomy were included. Each participant completed the basic information questionnaire and patient-reported outcome assessment scales before surgery. HRQoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Thyroid Cancer-Specific Quality of Life (THYCA-QoL), and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). The Wilcoxon rank sum test or the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the association between patient characteristics and HRQoL, and the variables with statistical significance were included in multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

450 patients were included in the study. According to the analysis of the THYCA-QoL scores, the psychological subscale was the most complained about. Anxiety was the most common symptom of the HAMA. Factors associated with worse general QoL on the EORTC QLQ-C30 included nondiagnostic/unsatisfactory fine-needle aspiration (FNA) result. Planned lateral neck dissection and nondiagnostic/unsatisfactory FNA result were influential factors for preoperative anxiety. Males and longer sleep duration were associated with better thyroid cancer-specific QoL, better general QoL, and less anxiety.

Conclusion

The preoperative HRQoL of patients undergoing thyroidectomy was generally good. Females, insufficient sleep duration, planned lateral neck dissection, and nondiagnostic/unsatisfactory FNA result were associated with worse preoperative HRQoL.

Long-term Quality of Life After Thyroidectomy: Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach Versus Transcervical Approach

OBJECTIVE

To compare long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) and transcervical approach (TCA) thyroidectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

METHODS

A web-based survey was distributed to patients at our institution who met the criteria for TOETVA and underwent thyroidectomy by TOETVA or TCA between August 2017 and October 2021. All survey participants were at least 6 months postsurgery. Minors, non-English speakers, and patients who received concomitant neck dissection or reoperative thyroidectomy were excluded from the study. The survey assessed quality of life through 4 standardized instruments: the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

RESULTS

A total of 108 TOETVA and 129 TCA patients were included in the study. The median age of respondents was 44 (36, 54; 25th, 75th percentile) years and median time from surgery to survey was 35 (22, 45; 25th, 75th percentile) months. TOETVA group DLQI (0.63 vs 0.99; P = .17), VHI-10 (1.94 vs 1.67; P = .35), EAT-10 (2.14 vs 2.32; P = .29), SF-36 physical component (52.25 vs 51.00; P = .25), and SF-36 mental component (47.74 vs 47.29; P = .87) scores were all similar to those of the TCA group. Scrutinizing specific DLQI questions, individuals in the TOETVA group were less self-conscious of their skin as compared to the TCA group (Q2; 0.08 vs 0.26, P = .03).

CONCLUSION

Long-term HRQOL after TOETVA is similar to TCA, with significantly lower skin-related self-consciousness.

Risk Factors for Transient Hypoparathyroidism after Total Thyroidectomy: Insights from a Cohort Analysis

Background: Transient hypoparathyroidism (TH) is the main post-thyroidectomy complication, significantly impacting surgical outcomes, hospitalization length, and perceived perceived quality of life understood as mental and physical well-being. This study aims to identify possible associated risk factors. Methods: We analyzed 238 thyroidectomies (2020-2022), excluding instances of partial surgery, primary hyperparathyroidism, neck irradiation history, and renal failure. The variables considered were as follows: demographics, histology, autoimmunity, thyroid function, pre- and postoperative Vitamin D levels (where available), type of surgery, number of incidentally removed parathyroid glands (IRP), and surgeons' experience (>1000 thyroidectomies, <500, in training). Univariate analysis applied: χ2, Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, and Student's t-test for continuous variables. Subsequently, logistic multivariate analysis with stepwise selection was performed. Results: Univariate analysis did not yield statistically significant results for the considered variables. The 'No Complications' group displayed a mean age of 55 years, whereas the TH group showed a mean age of 51 (p-value = 0.055). We considered this result to be marginally significant. Subsequently, we constructed a multivariate logistic model. This model (AIC = 245.02) indicated that the absence of incidental parathyroidectomy was associated with the age class >55 years, presenting an odds ratio (OR) of 9.015 (p-value < 0.05). Simultaneously, the age class >55 years exhibited protective effects against TH, demonstrating an OR of 0.085 (p-value < 0.01). Similarly, the absence of incidental parathyroidectomy was found to be protective against TH, with an OR of 0.208 (p-value < 0.01). Conclusions: Multivariate analysis highlighted that having "No IRP" was protective against TH, while younger age was a risk factor. Surgeon experience does not seem to correlate with IRP or outcomes, assuming there is adequate tutoring and a case volume close to 500 to ensure good results. The effect of reimplantation has not been evident in transient hypoparathyroidism.

Patient-reported outcomes with selpercatinib treatment in patients with RET-driven cancers in the phase I/II LIBRETTO-001 trial

BACKGROUND

This post-hoc retrospective study describes long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for REarranged during Transfection (RET)-altered non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), non-MTC thyroid cancer (TC), and tumor agnostic (TA) patients (Data cut-off: January 2023) from the LIBRETTO-001 trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30). Patients with MTC also completed a modified version of the Systemic Therapy-Induced Diarrhea Assessment Tool (mSTIDAT). The proportion of patients with improved, stable, or worsened status after baseline was reported. PROs were summarized at 3 years (cycle 37) post-baseline for the NSCLC and MTC cohorts, and at 2 years (cycle 25) post-baseline for the TC and TA cohorts. Time-to-event outcomes (time to first improvement or worsening and duration of improvement) were reported.

RESULTS

The baseline assessment was completed by 200 (63.3%), 209 (70.8%), 50 (76.9%), and 38 (73.1%) patients in the NSCLC, MTC, TC, and TA cohorts, respectively. The total compliance rate was 80%, 82%, 70%, and 85%, respectively. Approximately 75% (NSCLC), 81% (MTC), 75% (TC), and 40% (TA) of patients across all cohorts reported improved or stable QLQ-C30 scores at year 3 (NSCLC and MTC) or year 2 (TC and TA) with continuous selpercatinib use. Across cohorts, the median time to first improvement ranged from 2.0 to 19.4 months, the median duration of improvement ranged from 1.9 to 28.2 months, and the median time to first worsening ranged from 5.6 to 44.2 months. The total compliance rate for the mSTIDAT was 83.7% and the proportion of patients with MTC who reported diarrhea on the mSTIDAT was reduced from 80.8% at baseline to 35.6% at year 3.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of patients with RET-driven cancers improved or remained stable on most QLQ-C30 domains, demonstrating favorable health-related quality of life as measured by the QLQ-C30 during long-term treatment with selpercatinib.

Quality of Life in Chinese Youth Following Open Thyroid Surgery: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Because of the increased incidence of thyroid cancer and good survival rates and with research into scarless techniques, it is increasingly important to understand the quality of life of thyroid cancer patients and identify areas for improvement. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the importance of neck appearance after thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer survivors in China.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of scarring after open thyroid surgery on the quality of life of young patients.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative design was used. Data were collected using face-to-face semistructured interviews and analyzed using directed content analysis.

RESULTS

Five men and 19 women participated in the study. The following 3 broad themes and 9 subthemes emerged, which were (1) emotional functioning, including low self-esteem due to high visibility of scars, concerns and helplessness about scarring lesions, and feelings of isolation due to lack of support; (2) social functioning, including restricted choice of employment, avoidance of socializing with others, and reduced participation in social activities; and (3) information seeking, acceptance, and living with the scar, including bargaining, seeking professional help, and use of social media.

CONCLUSIONS

After open surgery for thyroid cancer, patients experience a variety of scarring features that affect their quality of life. Therefore, preoperative communication and long-term postoperative care should be emphasized in clinical practice and research.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Understanding the experience of carrying scars after thyroid cancer surgery helps provide adequate information, expectation management, and informed decision-making.

The psychosocial impact of thyroid cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review discusses the psychosocial impact of thyroid cancer diagnosis and management. It summarizes recent findings, presents management options, and briefly discusses future directions.

RECENT FINDINGS

A thyroid cancer diagnosis and its downstream management can impact patients in a variety of ways, including contributing to distress, worry, worse quality of life, and in some cases, anxiety and depression. Racial/ethnic minorities, those with lower education, women, adolescents/young adults, and individuals with a prior mental health conditions are a few of the patient groups at greater risks for adverse psychosocial effects from their thyroid cancer diagnosis and management. Findings are mixed, but some studies suggest treatment, for example, more intensive treatment as opposed to less, may be associated with a greater psychosocial impact. Clinicians providing care to thyroid cancer patients use a variety of resources and techniques, some more effective than others, to provide support.

SUMMARY

A thyroid cancer diagnosis and its subsequent treatment can greatly impact a patient's psychosocial wellbeing, particularly for at-risk groups. Clinicians can help their patients by informing them of the risks associated with treatments and by offering education and resources for psychosocial support.

Global research landscape and trends of papillary thyroid cancer therapy: a bibliometric analysis

Background

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy worldwide. The treatment of PTC has attracted extensive attention and discussion from the public and scholars. However, no article has systematically assessed the related literature. Therefore, we conducted a bibliometric and knowledge map analysis to reveal the dynamic scientific developments in the PTC therapy field.

Methods

We retrieved publications related to PTC therapy from the Web of Scientific Core Collection (WoSCC) on May 1, 2023. The bibliometric package in R software, VOSviewer and CiteSpace software were used to analyze countries/regions, institutions, journals, authors, references, and keywords. Then, we systematized and summarized the research landscape, global trends and hot topics of research.

Results

This bibliometric analysis spanned from 2012 to 2022 and involved 18,501 authors affiliated with 3,426 institutions across 87 countries/regions, resulting in the publication of 3,954 papers in 860 academic journals. Notably, the number of publications and citations related to PTC therapy research has exhibited a steady increase over the past decade. China and the United States have emerged as leading contributors in terms of publication count, with the United States also being the most cited country. Furthermore, among the top 10 institutions with the highest number of published papers, half were located in China. Among the journals, Thyroid is ranked first in terms of total publications and citations. The most productive individual author was Miyauchi Akira. While previous research primarily focused on surgery and radioactive iodine therapy, the increasing emphasis on health awareness and advancements in medical technology have led to the emergence of active surveillance, thermal ablation, and genomic analysis as prominent areas of research.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this comprehensive and quantitative bibliometric analysis elucidates the research trends and hotspots within PTC therapy, drawing from a substantial body of publications. This study provides valuable insights into the historical and current landscape of PTC therapy research while also offering guidance for future research directions. This study serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners seeking new avenues of exploration in the field.

Role of Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation on Functional Recovery and Quality of Life in Thyroid Cancer Patients: A Comprehensive Review

BACKGROUND

This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current prehabilitation and rehabilitation strategies for thyroid cancer survivors to optimize functional outcomes and enhance their quality of life.

METHODS

The review follows the SANRA quality criteria and includes an extensive literature search conducted in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus.

RESULTS

The review emphasizes the role of a comprehensive rehabilitation approach in targeting the different domains that generate disability in thyroid cancer patients. In this context, physical activity, range of motion exercises, myofascial release, joint mobilization, and postural exercises are crucial for improving functional outcomes and reducing treatment-related discomfort and disability. Moreover, tailored rehabilitative management addressing dysphonia and dysphagia might have a positive impact on the quality of life of these patients. Despite these considerations, several barriers still affect the implementation of a multimodal rehabilitative approach in common clinical practice. Thus, sustainable and effective strategies like digital innovation and patient-centered approaches are strongly needed in order to implement the rehabilitative treatment framework of these subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

This narrative review provides valuable insights into the current prehabilitation and rehabilitation strategies to treat thyroid cancer survivors, addressing physical, psychological, and vocational needs to optimize functional outcomes and enhance their quality of life.

Incidental parathyroidectomy during total thyroidectomy and functional parathyroid preservation: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The published rate of incidental parathyroidectomy (IP) during thyroid surgery varies between 5.8% and 29%. The risk factors and clinical significance of postoperative transient hypocalcemia and permanent hypoparathyroidism are still debated. The aims of this study were to assess the clinical relevance of avoidable IP for transient hypocalcemia and permanent hypoparathyroidism, and to describe the risk factors for IP.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 1,537 patients who had a one-step total thyroidectomy in a high-volume endocrine surgery center between 2018 and 2019. Pathology reports were reviewed for incidentally removed parathyroid glands. Intrathyroidal parathyroid glands were excluded from the study. Demographic characteristics, potential risk factors, and postoperative calcium and PTH levels were compared between IP and control groups.

RESULTS

Avoidable IP occurred in 234 (15.2%) patients. Patients with IP had a higher risk of transient hypocalcemia (17.9% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.006; odds ratio [OR] 1.68, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]1.16-2.45) and permanent hypoparathyroidism (4.7% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.002; OR 3.01, 95% CI 1.29-6.63) than patients without IP. Multivariate analysis showed that central lymph node dissection (CLND) and incidental removal of thymus tissue were independent risk factors for IP (OR 4.83, 95% CI 2.71-8.86, p < 0.001 and OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.02-2.82, p = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IP were more likely to develop transient hypocalcemia and permanent hypoparathyroidism, indicating the clinical significance of avoidable IP for patients and the need for raising awareness among surgeons. Patients undergoing CLND are at a higher risk for IP, and should be adequately informed and treated. Any removal of thymus tissue should be avoided during CLND.

Analysis of Unmet Information Needs Among Patients With Thyroid Cancer

Importance

Counseling prior to thyroid cancer (TC) treatment is an essential component of informed consent. An informed patient affects treatment-related expectations and patient engagement, factors that contribute significantly to patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes.

Objective

To describe experiences with pretreatment counseling among survivors of TC and to test factors associated with self-reported treatment meeting expectations.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cross-sectional survey was administered between October 18, 2019, and February 8, 2020, to members of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association Inc, and to individuals accessing the public-facing ThyCa website. Survey respondents were asked 55 questions, including 4 free-text questions and 2 multiple-choice questions about pretreatment counseling.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Respondents self-reported (1) their unmet information needs, (2) rates of treatment meeting expectations, and (3) rates of treatment understanding. A mixed-methods analysis was performed, including qualitative content analysis of free-text responses and multivariable logistic regression of factors associated with self-reported levels of treatment meeting expectations.

Results

Of the 1412 survey respondents, 1249 were women (88.4%). The median age at diagnosis was 48 years (range, 18-85 years), and the median age at the time of survey completion was 60 years (range, 18-87 years). A total of 1259 respondents (89.2%) provided free-text responses to the question, "What would you tell someone newly diagnosed with your same condition?" Of these individuals, 526 (37.2%) reported inadequate pretreatment plan understanding and 578 (40.9%) reported that their treatment experience did not meet their expectations. Treatment met expectations for only 95 respondents (18.1%) reporting an inadequate pretreatment plan understanding. Of the 526 survivors of TC reporting a lack of understanding, 473 (90.0%) provided additional textual comments, most commonly in the categories of postoperative treatment, surveillance, and treatment effects. On multivariable logistic regression, self-reported failure to have an understanding of TC treatment was independently associated with failure of treatment to meet expectations (odds ratio, 5.1 [95% CI, 3.7-6.9]). Patients reporting a full understanding of their treatment plan were 5-fold more likely to indicate that their initial treatment experience was on par with expectations, independent of reported postoperative complications, age, sex, and other potential confounders.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this survey study, a substantial proportion of survivors of TC reported inadequate pretreatment understanding. This gap in understanding was associated with high levels of self-reported failure of treatment to meet expectations, which in turn is associated in other studies with poorer patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes. These outcomes may be improved by addressing gaps in patient understanding so expectations more closely match TC diagnosis and treatment pathways.

Long-Term Outcomes After Lobectomy for Patients with High-Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Guidelines universally recommend total thyroidectomy for high-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, in Japan, thyroid-conserving surgery had been widely applied for such patients until recently. We investigated long-term outcomes for this strategy.

METHODS

A prospectively recorded database was retrospectively analyzed for 368 patients who had undergone curative surgery for high-risk PTC without distant metastasis between 1993 and 2013. High-risk PTC was defined for tumors showing tumor size > 4 cm, extrathyroidal extension, or large nodal metastasis ≥ 3 cm.

RESULTS

Median age was 59 years and 243 patients were female. Mean duration of follow-up was 12.7 years. Lobectomy was conducted for 207 patients (LT group) and total or near-total thyroidectomy for 161 patients (TT group). The frequency of massive extrathyroidal invasion and large nodal metastasis was lower in the LT group than in the TT group. After propensity score matching, no significant differences were seen between groups for overall survival, cause-specific survival or distant recurrence-free survival. In the overall cohort, multivariate analysis identified age ≥ 55 years, large nodal metastasis, tumor size > 4 cm and massive extrathyroidal invasion as significantly associated with cause-specific survival, whereas extent of thyroidectomy was not.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with high-risk PTC without distant metastasis, curative surgery with lobectomy showed almost identical oncological outcomes compared to total thyroidectomy. The benefits of total thyroidectomy for high-risk PTC should be reevaluated in the future prospective studies.

Surgical Steps of Gasless Transaxillary Endoscopic Thyroidectomy: From A to Z

In the past 30 years, the incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has been increasing rapidly and has become one of the most common malignant tumors in females. Currently, the main surgical treatment for DTC is standard open thyroidectomy (SOT) via a traditional Kocher mid-cervical incision, but postoperative neck scarring was associated with significantly worse health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores. To offer better cosmesis, robotic/endoscopic thyroidectomy via cervical, axillary, anterior chest, breast, postauricular, or transoral approaches have been developed over the past 20 years. In general, gasless transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy (GTET) has advantages in terms of convenience, clarity of vision, and aesthetic incision. The current work aims to provide a step-by-step description of GTET, supported by a high-quality, pictorial guide.

The Patient Experience of Thyroid Cancer

The 3 phases of thyroid cancer care are discussed: diagnosis, management, and survivorship. Drivers of quality of life (QOL) in each phase are described, and suggestions are made for mitigating the risk of poor QOL. Active surveillance is another emerging management strategy that has the potential to improve QOL by eliminating upfront surgical morbidity but will need to be studied prospectively.

Health-related quality of life following FDG-PET/CT for cytological indeterminate thyroid nodules

Objective

This study assessed the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients undergoing 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET/CT for an indeterminate (Bethesda III/IV) thyroid nodule. FDG-PET/CT accurately rules out malignancy and prevents 40% of futile diagnostic surgeries in these nodules.

Design

Secondary analyses of HRQoL data from a randomised controlled multicentre trial (NCT02208544) in 126 patients from 15 hospitals in the Netherlands were done.

Methods

Longitudinal HRQoL assessment was performed using the EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L), the RAND 36-item Health Survey v2.0 (RAND-36), and the Thyroid Patient-Reported Outcome (ThyPRO) questionnaire on baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months, relative to the date of the FDG-PET/CT scan.

Results

Patients who were randomised to active surveillance following an FDG-negative nodule instead of diagnostic surgery reported stable HRQoL scores throughout the year. Univariate analysis indicated better HRQoL for patients undergoing surveillance than surgical patients with benign histopathology on multiple physical and psychosocial domains. Univariate within-group analysis suggested both temporary and continued HRQoL deteriorations in patients with benign histopathology over time. Multivariate within-group analysis demonstrated no significant longitudinal HRQoL changes in patients undergoing active surveillance. In contrast, in patients with benign histopathology, worse HRQoL was observed with regard to ThyPRO cognitive impairment (P = 0.01) and cosmetic complaints (P = 0.02), whereas goitre symptoms (P < 0.001) and anxiety (P = 0.04) improved over time. In patients with malignant histopathology, anxiety also decreased (P = 0.05).

Conclusions

The reassurance of a negative FDG-PET/CT resulted in sustained HRQoL throughout the first year of active surveillance. Diagnostic surgery for a nodule with benign histopathology resulted in more cognitive impairment and physical problems including cosmetic complaints, but improved goitre symptoms and anxiety. Anxiety was also reduced in patients with malignant histopathology.

Quality of Life of Survivors of Thyroid Cancer Is Not Inferior to That in Subjects without Cancer: Long-Term after Over 5 Years

BACKGRUOUND

Patients with thyroid cancer undergo less extensive surgery and additional therapies compared to those with other cancers. We aimed to compare the quality of life (QoL) between patients with thyroid cancer and healthy subjects using representative data from Korea. Differences in QoL of thyroid cancer survivors according to the duration after cancer diagnosis was also evaluated.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study included 50,278 subjects who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2017. QoL was compared between patients with thyroid cancer and healthy subjects using self-reported data from the EuroQoL (EQ)-5 dimension (5D) and EQ-visual analog scale (VAS). Propensity score matching was used to match thyroid cancer survivors to healthy subjects (1:5 matching).

RESULTS

Linear regression with univariate analysis showed that the presence of thyroid cancer was positively correlated with better EQ-5D index scores (β-coefficient=0.010, p=0.046). After adjusting for multiple covariables, statistical significance was maintained. EQ-VAS fails to demonstrate any significant correlation. Among the EQ-5D categories, patients with thyroid cancer showed better self-care than healthy subjects. Thyroid cancer duration did not correlate with the EQ-5D index score. In subgroup analyses, compared to patients with thyroid cancer duration of <5 years, no significant difference was observed in the correlation between the EQ-5D index score and survival duration in those with thyroid cancer duration of 5 to 9 years and ≥10 years.

CONCLUSION

Using a large-scale nationwide population-based database, our study demonstrated better QoL, especially in terms of self-care, among thyroid cancer survivors than among healthy subjects without cancer.

A prospective study to evaluate the treatment effect of pulsed dye laser on thyroidectomy hypertrophic scars using 3D imaging analysis

OBJECTIVES

The pulsed dye laser (PDL) is an effective modality for preventing and improving hypertrophic scars (HSs). However, the heterogeneity of the parameter settings of the laser and subjective scar assessment methods used in most studies resulting in uncertainty with treatment plans. Therefore, we investigated the treatment effect of the PDL (V-beam; Candela Laser Corporation) on HSs in post-thyroidectomy patients using three-dimensional imaging analysis and intended to provide a systemic and optimal treatment protocol.

METHODS

Nineteen patients with HS after thyroidectomy underwent eight treatment sessions with the 595 nm PDL (with the dose gradually increased by 0.5 J/cm² ) at 4- to 6-week intervals. Patients with an elevated lesion also received intralesional corticosteroid (ICS) treatment. After every two treatment sessions, we assessed the patients' HS using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), a patient satisfaction questionnaire, and with a three-dimensional (3D) skin imaging device (Antera 3D™; Miravex Limited).

RESULTS

In repeated-measures analysis of variance, the mean VSS and patient satisfaction significantly improved (p < 0.001), with significant differences in these values observed until the sixth and eighth treatment sessions, respectively. In the quantitative analysis using Antera 3D™, the mean height, pigmentation, and vascularity scores were observed to be significantly improved (p < 0.001). Significant differences in these values were observed until the fourth, second, and eighth treatment sessions, respectively. Subgroup analysis according to ICS treatment showed no significant differences in scar characteristics between those with and without ICS treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we found that the PDL was effective in reducing scar height, vascularity, and pigmentation in patients with thyroidectomy HS using 3D imaging analysis. Furthermore, we have suggested a cost-effective treatment plan with the 595 nm PDL.

Revisiting the role of surgery in the treatment of Graves' disease

Graves' disease (GD) can be managed by antithyroid drugs (ATD), radioactive iodine (RAI) and surgery. Thyroidectomy offers the highest success rates for both primary and persistent disease, yet it is the least recommended or utilized option reaching <1% for primary disease and <25% for persistent disease. Several surveys have found surgery to be the least recommended by endocrinologists worldwide. With the development of remote access thyroidectomies and intraoperative nerve monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, combined with current knowledge of possible risks associated with RAI or failure of ATDs, revaluation of the benefit to harm ratio of surgery in the treatment of GD is warranted. The aim of this review is to discuss possible reasons for the low proportion of surgery in the treatment of GD, emphasizing an evidence-based approach to the clinicians' preferences for surgical referrals, surgical indications and confronting traditional reasons and concerns relating to the low referral rate with up-to-date data.

Swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Swallowing disorders following thyroidectomy are common, even after surgery without confirmed complications. The purpose of the current systematic review is to investigate the prevalence of dysphagia at various time points after thyroidectomy, at the whole spectrum of it (total/partial, open/endoscopic, for benign/malignant disease).

METHODS

The literature available at PubMed, SciELO and Cochrane Library databases was reviewed, according to PRISMA guidelines, using the terms "dysphagia", "swallowing disorder", "deglutition disorder", "thyroidectomy" and "thyroid surgery" in the appropriate combinations. A quantitative synthesis of the results followed.

RESULTS

The systematic review of the literature resulted in 35 articles, which met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed regarding their type, sample, follow-up and results regarding post-thyroidectomy dysphagia in multiple follow-up times. A significant increase of swallowing impairment compared to baseline was recorded shortly after surgery. Dysphagia reverted to pre-operative levels 2-3 months later. Dysphagia continued to be reported in a significantly lower proportion of patients, even 1 year after surgery. No significant difference was noticed between open and endoscopic thyroid surgery at 2-3 months post-surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The swallowing disorders reported after thyroidectomy should be expected, but are not always detectable through objective methods. This should not lead to underestimation of symptoms, since the patients' quality of life is negatively affected by the symptomatology.

Perception of risk and treatment decisions in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The recent de-escalation of care for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has broadened the range of initial treatment options. We examined the association between physicians' perception of risk and their management of DTC.

METHODS

Thyroid specialists were surveyed with four clinical vignettes: (1) indeterminate nodule (2) tall cell variant papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), (3) papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (mPTC), and (4) classic PTC. Participants judged the operative risks and likelihood of structural cancer recurrence associated with more versus less aggressive treatments. A logistic mixed effect model was used to predict treatment choice.

RESULTS

Among 183 respondents (13.4% response rate), 44% were surgical and 56% medical thyroid specialists. Risk estimates and treatment recommendation varied markedly in each case. Respondents' estimated risk of 10-year cancer recurrence after lobectomy for a 2.0-cm PTC ranged from 1% to 53% (interquartile range [IQR]: 3%-12%), with 66% recommending lobectomy and 34% total thyroidectomy. Respondents' estimated 5-year risk of metastastic disease during active surveillance of an 0.8-cm mPTC ranged from 0% to 95% (IQR: 4%-15%), with 36% choosing active surveillance. Overall, differences in perceived risk reduction explained 10.3% of the observed variance in decision-making.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the variation in thyroid cancer treatment aggressiveness is unrelated to perceived risk of cancer recurrence.

Optimal Thyroid Hormone Replacement

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrinopathy, and levothyroxine is frequently prescribed. Despite the basic tenets of initiating and adjusting levothyroxine being agreed on, there are many nuances and complexities to consistently maintaining euthyroidism. Understanding the impact of patient weight and residual thyroid function on initial levothyroxine dosage and consideration of age, comorbidities, thyrotropin goal, life stage, and quality of life as levothyroxine is adjusted can be challenging and continually evolving. Because levothyroxine is a lifelong medication, it is important to avoid risks from periods of overtreatment or undertreatment. For the subset of patients not restored to baseline health with levothyroxine, causes arising from all aspects of the patient's life (coexistent medical conditions, stressors, lifestyle, psychosocial factors) should be broadly considered. If such factors do not appear to be contributing, and biochemical euthyroidism has been successfully maintained, there may be benefit to a trial of combination therapy with levothyroxine and liothyronine. This is not supported by the majority of randomized clinical trials, but may be supported by other studies providing lower-quality evidence and by animal studies. Given this discrepancy, it is important that any trial of combination therapy be continued only as long as a patient benefit is being enjoyed. Monitoring for adverse effects, particularly in older or frail individuals, is necessary and combination therapy should not be used during pregnancy. A sustained-release liothyronine preparation has completed phase 1 testing and may soon be available for better designed and powered studies assessing whether combination therapy provides superior therapy for hypothyroidism.

Time Heals Most Wounds - Perceptions of Thyroidectomy Scars in Patients With Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients understandably have concerns about thyroidectomy scars. This study aimed to characterize patients' perceptions of their thyroidectomy scar before and up to 1-y after surgery.

METHODS

Patients with papillary thyroid cancer (n = 83) completed semi-structured interviews before and at 2-wks, 6-Wk, 6-mo, and 1-y post-thyroidectomy. Interviews probed about scar concerns and appearance. Content analysis was used to identify themes.

RESULTS

The majority of participants did not express concerns about scar appearance. When expressed, preoperative concerns often stemmed from previous surgery experiences or unease with neck incisions. Postoperatively, concerns about scar appearance decreased over time throughout the healing period with most patients being satisfied with their scar appearance by 6-mo after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with papillary thyroid cancer express few concerns about scar thyroidectomy appearance. Surgeons can reassure patients who have preoperative concerns that most patients are satisfied with their scar appearance by 6-mo after surgery.

Thyroid cancer-specific health-related quality of life questionnaire: Psychometric properties of the persian version

Background:

Adverse effects related to treatment negatively affect the quality of life of patients with thyroid cancer. The current study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the thyroid-cancer-specific health-related quality of life (TC-specific HRQoL) questionnaire among patients with thyroid cancer in Kerman province, Iran.

Methods:

This research was a cross-sectional study conducted on 240 patients with thyroid cancer in Kerman province from 2000 to 2015. The patients were selected through the census method and were asked to complete the thyroid-cancer-specific quality of life questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 19.0 and LISREL version 8.80. The reliability of the Persian version was determined by Cronbach's α coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was also conducted.

Results:

The Cronbach's α and ICCs were determined as 0.92 and 0.88, respectively. Five factors were extracted in the exploratory factor analysis with a total of 55.76% explained variance. Acceptable goodness of fit indices were found in CFA.

Conclusions:

The Persian version of the TC-specific HRQoL has sufficient psychometric properties and can be used to assess HRQoL among patients with thyroid cancer.

Health-related quality of life in long-term differentiated thyroid cancer survivors: A cross-sectional Tunisian-based study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has risen dramatically worldwide. Despite an excellent prognosis, the growing DTC survivors' community often features poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which challenges long-term DTC care, particularly in developing Southern Mediterranean and African countries. We aimed to assess the HRQoL and to investigate its determinants in disease-free Tunisian DTC survivors.

METHODS

We conducted a three-month cross-sectional study that included 266 patients diagnosed with DTC. We assessed the HRQoL in eligible participants using the short form-36 health survey, in comparison with 76 healthy controls.

RESULTS

The 86 eligible DTC survivors were predominantly female (89.5%) with an average age of 44.3 ± 12.5 years. Physical-functioning (PF), role-physical (RP), and pain domains were substantially altered compared to the reference population. Age was negatively associated with PF, RP, role-emotional (RE), and social functioning (SF). Tumor size and lymph node metastases affected general health and PF, respectively. The cancer-free survival duration was positively correlated with mental health (MH). Poor neck scar healing and persistent post-operative hypoparathyroidism significantly deteriorate MH. Pain perception was positively correlated with the radioactive iodine cumulative dose. Subclinical hyperthyroidism significantly reduced PF and RP scores. TSH suppression was negatively and strongly correlated with MH and SF scores.

CONCLUSION

HRQoL is substantially reduced in DTC survivors compared to the normative Tunisian population. These results could be extrapolated to similar individuals in other South Mediterranean and African countries. The development of coordinated multidisciplinary aftercare interventions in this region is warranted to preserve HRQoL in DTC survivors.

Risk Benefit Analysis of Routine Thymectomy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancers: A Systematic Review

Background  Central compartment lymph node dissection (CLND) is a part of the surgical management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Therapeutic CLND is done to address clinically significant central compartment nodes in patients with DTC, while prophylactic CLND is performed in the presence of high-risk features in the absence of clinically significant neck nodes. Removal of thymus—unilateral or bilateral—during CLND to achieve complete clearance of level VI and VII lymph node stations and address thymic metastasis is debatable.

Objective  The present systematic review was conducted to summarize the evidence, delineating the role of thymectomy during CLND in patients with DTC.

Methods  Electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched from their inception to July 2020 using keywords—thyroid neoplasms or tumors, thyroidectomy, and thymectomy—to identify the articles describing the role of thymectomy during CLND in DTC. A pooled analysis of surgicopathological outcomes was performed using metaprop command in STATA software version 16.

Result  A total of three studies and 347 patients—total thyroidectomy (TT) with bilateral thymectomy in 154, TT with unilateral thymectomy in 166, and TT alone in 27 patients with DTC—were included in the systematic review. The pooled frequency of thymic metastasis was a mere 2% in patients undergoing either unilateral or bilateral thymectomy. The routine addition of thymectomy does not result in better lymph node clearance. Unilateral and bilateral thymectomy were associated with high chances of transient hypocalcemia (12.0% and 56.1%, respectively).

Conclusion  Routine thymectomy is not warranted during CLND, considering minimal oncological benefit and high risk of postoperative hypocalcemia.

Nursing Management and Adverse Events in Thyroid Cancer Treatments with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. A Narrative Review

Simple Summary

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are an effective and promising therapy in the treatment of advanced differentiated medullary thyroid cancers. The prevention and management of new adverse events of these drugs are important to keep patients on their treatment course, avoiding drug discontinuation or interruption, and are associated with a faster recovery of the disease. The contribution of a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals optimizes the management of adverse events, maximizing the benefits and reducing the risks of treatment, consequently improving the quality of life of patients.

Abstract

Background: The advent of multikinase inhibitors has changed the treatment of advanced, metastatic, unresectable thyroid cancers, refractory to available treatments. These drugs cause new adverse events that should be prevented and treated for long periods, and sometimes beyond their discontinuation. The purpose of this narrative review was the description, prevention, and nursing management of the most frequent adverse events of locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer with sorafenib and lenvatinib, and medullary Thyroid cancer with vandetanib and cabozantinib treatment. Methods: A narrative literature review. Results: Studies included in this narrative review suggest that over 90% of patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors experience at least 1 adverse event of any grade affecting their quality of life. Patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors experienced at least one adverse event at any grade in ≥90% of cases, with a higher incidence in the first 6–8 weeks of treatment. The most frequent adverse events that can affect a patients’ quality of life are dermatological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and metabolic. Conclusions: Early assessment of risk factors and identification of adverse events can help nurses support these patients throughout their clinical-therapeutic pathway, increasing the benefits of treatment and reducing reduction/discontinuation.

Machine learning-based random forest for predicting decreased quality of life in thyroid cancer patients after thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVE

Decreased quality of life (QoL) in thyroid cancer patients after thyroidectomy is a common, but there is a lack of predictive methods for decreased QoL. This study aimed to construct a machine learning-based random forest for predicting decreased QoL in thyroid cancer patients 3 months after thyroidectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred and eighty-six thyroid cancer patients after thyroidectomy were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study from November 2018 to June 2019, and were randomly assigned to training and validation cohorts at a ratio of 7:3. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire version 3 (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire was used to assess the QoL 3 months after thyroidectomy, and decreased QoL was defined as EORTC QLQ-C30 < 60 points. The random forest model was constructed for predicting decreased QoL in thyroid cancer patients after thyroidectomy.

RESULTS

The mean QoL 3 months after thyroidectomy was 65.93 ± 9.00 with 21.33% (61/286) decreased QoL. The main manifestation is fatigue in symptom scales and social functioning dysfunction in functional scales. The top seven most important indices affecting QoL were clinical stage, marital status, histological type, age, nerve injury symptom, economic income and surgery type. For random forest prediction model, the areas under the curve in the training and validation courts were 0.834 and 0.897, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that random forest model for predicting decreased QoL in thyroid cancer patients 3 months after thyroidectomy displayed relatively high accuracy. These findings should be applied clinically to optimise health care.

Impact of the Extent of Thyroidectomy on Quality of Life in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Survivors: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

Purpose

As most thyroid cancer patients survive for more than ten years, it has become increasingly important to understand whether the different surgery types have any effect on the quality of life (QoL) of patients.

Patients and Methods

Using observational data from head and neck surgery at the Sichuan Cancer Hospital in China, three scoring methods – sum scoring, domain-based scoring and IRT-based scoring, were employed to measure the QoL in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients and a propensity score matched analysis performed to explore the impact of surgery type on QoL as measured by the Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life core Questionnaire version 3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and a disease-specific health-related quality of life questionnaire (THYCA-QoL).

Results

No statistically significant patient QoL differences were found between the two surgery types regardless of which questionnaire was used and which scoring method was used (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $${\rm{ATE}} = - 0.400$$ \end{document}, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $$p = 0.834$$ \end{document} using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the sum scoring; \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $${\rm{ATE}} = - 0.4491$$ \end{document}, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $$p = 0.807$$ \end{document} using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the domain-based scoring; and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $${\rm{ATE}} = - 0.442$$ \end{document}, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $$p = 0.114$$ \end{document} using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the IRT-based scoring; \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $${\rm{ATE}} = - 0.827$$ \end{document}, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $$p = 0.586$$ \end{document} using the THYCA-QoL and the sum scoring; \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $${\rm{ATE}} = - 1.692$$ \end{document}, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $$p = 0.406$$ \end{document} using the THYCA-QoL and the domain-based scoring; and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $${\rm{ATE}} = - 0.032$$ \end{document}, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage[substack]{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage[mathscr]{eucal} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \DeclareFontFamily{T1}{linotext}{} \DeclareFontShape{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} {linotext }{} \DeclareSymbolFont{linotext}{T1}{linotext}{m}{n} \DeclareSymbolFontAlphabet{\mathLINOTEXT}{linotext} \begin{document} $$p = 0.908$$ \end{document} using the THYCA-QoL and the IRT-based scoring).

Conclusion

This study confirmed that the surgery type (hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy) for DTC patients did not appear to influence their general QoL.

Radioiodine Remnant Ablation for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Postoperative radioactive iodine (RAI) remnant ablation for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) facilitates the early detection of recurrence and represents an adjuvant therapy that targets persistent microscopic disease. The optimal activity of RAI in low- and intermediate-risk DTC remains controversial.

Objective

To evaluate the long-term cure rate of different RAI activities in low- and intermediate-risk DTC. Secondary outcomes included successful remnant ablation, adverse effects, and hospital length of stay.

Data Source

A systematic search of the databases PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies that compared long-term outcomes (>12 months) for American Thyroid Association-classified low- and intermediate-risk DTC based on receipt of either low-activity or high-activity RAI postoperatively.

Study Selection

All RCTs or observational studies evaluating patients with low- and intermediate-risk DTC who were treated initially with total/near-total thyroidectomy, followed by remnant RAI ablation with either low or high activities. Eligible studies had to present odds ratio, relative risk (RR), or hazard ratio estimates (with 95% CIs), standard errors, or the number of events necessary to calculate these for the outcome of interest rate.

Data Extraction

Two investigators reviewed the literature in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Dichotomous variables were pooled as risk ratios and continuous data as weighted-mean differences. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa and Jadad scales.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Disease recurrence was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included successful ablation, adverse effects, and length of stay.

Results

Ten studies that included 3821 patients met inclusion criteria, including 6 RCTs and 4 observational studies. There was no difference in long-term cure recurrence rates (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.62-1.27, P = .50) or successful remnant ablation (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.87-1.03; P = .20) between low-activity and high-activity RAI.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, low-activity RAI was comparable with high-activity RAI regarding successful ablation and recurrence rates. This suggests that low-activity RAI is preferable to high-activity in low- and intermediate-risk DTC because of its similar efficacy but reduced morbidity.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42020166780.

Transoral endoscopic vestibular approach for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy - From promise to practice

OBJECTIVES

To describe the evolution and recent series on transoral endoscopic vestibular approach thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy (TOET/PVA).

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Google Scholar.

REVIEW METHODS

Review of the available English literature.

RESULTS

TOET/PVA may offer several advantages over other remote access thyroidectomy approaches and has been adopted by many centers worldwide with excellent success rates. Indications include benign disease and early thyroid cancer patients. Complication rate is comparable to the trans-cervical approach. The suggested framework has been validated in recent studies and its feasibility confirmed.

CONCLUSION

TOET/PVA has now been used to treat thousands of patients worldwide due to low cost, short learning curve and excellent cosmetic outcomes. Further studies will be necessary to demonstrate oncologic non-inferiority and also the true value that is added by the approach.

Systematic review of health-related quality of life following thyroid cancer

This systematic review provides a summary of all studies published between 2000 and 2019 using a health-related quality of life (HRQOL) patient-completed questionnaire to report outcomes following diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. The search terms were “thyroid cancer” or “thyroid carcinoma,” “quality of life” or “health related quality of life,” and “questionnaire” or “patient reported outcome.” EMBASE, PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and HaNDLE-On-QOL search engines were searched between 2 February and 23 February 2020. A total of 811 identified articles were reduced to 314 when duplicates were removed. After exclusion criteria (not thyroid specific, no quality of life questionnaires, and conference abstracts) were applied, 92 remained. Hand searching identified a further 2 articles. Of the 94 included, 16 had a surgical, 26 a primarily medical, and 52 a general focus. There were articles from 27 countries. A total of 49 articles were published from 2015 through 2019 inclusive. A total of 72 questionnaires were used among the articles and a range of 7 to 2215 participants were included within each article. This review demonstrated an increasing number of publications annually. The scope of enquiry into aspects of HRQOL following thyroid cancer is broad, with relatively few addressing surgical aspects and many focusing on the impact of radio-iodine. More research is required into shared decision-making in initial management decisions and HRQOL and interventions aimed specifically at addressing long-term HRQOL difficulties.

Long-term outcomes of lobectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma with high-risk features

BACKGROUND

Lobectomy is not advocated for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with high-risk features, although there is no high-level evidence showing that this is an inferior strategy. This study aimed to examine the association between the extent of surgery and survival of patients with PTC and high-risk features.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with PTC and at least one high-risk feature treated in 2000-2012 were included in the study. High-risk features were defined as: primary tumour larger than 4 cm, gross extrathyroidal extension, macroscopic multifocality, and confirmed nodal metastasis including pathological lateral neck metastasis (pN1b) or more than five central lymph node metastases. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to measure the association between the extent of surgery and disease-specific survival (DSS) in the whole cohort and in a matched-pair analysis.

RESULTS

Among a total of 2059 patients with high-risk features, 1224 underwent lobectomy and 835 had total thyroidectomy. Patients who underwent total thyroidectomy had significantly higher rates of bilateral cancer than those who had a lobectomy (79.4 versus 2.7 per cent respectively), macroscopic multifocality (80.8 versus 32.8 per cent) and bilateral neck metastasis (30.9 versus 3.3 per cent) (all P < 0.001). With a median follow-up of 93 months, multivariable analysis showed that the extent of surgery was not associated with DSS in the whole cohort (hazard ratio 1.36, 95 per cent c.i. 0.75 to 2.48; P = 0.310). After 1 : 1 case-control matching of 528 patients, no significant difference between lobectomy and total thyroidectomy groups was observed with respect to the 10-year DSS rate (94.3 versus 95.2 per cent respectively; P = 0.323) or 10-year recurrence-free survival rate (75.8 versus 79.2 per cent; P = 0.784).

CONCLUSION

Lobectomy was not associated with significantly worse outcomes for patients with PTC and high-risk features.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Asian Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Survivors

Background:

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important for differentiated thyroid cancer survivors, but data for Asian survivors is lacking. This study aimed to have an overview of, and identify any disease-or treatment-related factors associated with, HRQoL in Asian differentiated thyroid cancer survivors.

Patients and Methods:

Thyroid cancer survivors were recruited from the thyroid clinics at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong from February 2016 to December 2016. All adult differentiated thyroid cancer patients with stable disease more than or equal to 1 year received a survey on HRQoL using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Thyroid cancer specific quality of life (THYCA-QoL) questionnaire. Clinical information was collected retrospectively from the computerized clinical management system. To identify factors associated with poor HRQoL, univariable and stepwise multivariable regression analysis were performed.

Results:

A total of 613 survivors completed the questionnaires (response rate: 82.1%; female: 80.1%; median survivorship: 7.4 years (range: 1.0-48.2 years)). The QLQ-C30 summary score mean was 84.4 (standard deviation (SD): 12.7) while the THYCA-QoL summary score mean was 39.9 (SD: 9.7). The 2 highest symptom subscales were fatigue (mean: 26.4, SD: 20.6) and insomnia (mean: 26.2, SD: 27.6). Factors associated with worse HRQoL included serum thyrotropin (TSH) greater than 1.0 mIU/L, unemployment, and concomitant psychiatric disorders. Concomitant psychiatric illness (n = 40/613, 6.5%) also showed significant association with most of the symptom and functional subscales.

Conclusions:

Fatigue and insomnia were the 2 most common symptoms experienced by our differentiated thyroid cancer survivors. Long-term survivorship care with monitoring serum TSH level, supporting return-to-work and screening for concomitant psychiatric disorders should be offered.

Thyroid cancer, recent advances in diagnosis and therapy

Over the past several decades, the approach to the diagnosis and management of patients with follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer has evolved based on improved classification of patients better matching clinical outcomes, as well as advances in imaging, laboratory, molecular technologies and knowledge. While thyroid surgery, radioactive iodine therapy and TSH suppression remain the mainstays of treatment, this expansion of knowledge has enabled de-escalation of therapy for individuals diagnosed with low-risk well-differentiated thyroid cancer; better definition of treatment choices for patients with more aggressive disease; and improved ability to optimize treatments for patients with persistent and/or progressive disease. Most recently, the advancement of knowledge regarding the molecular aspects of thyroid cancer has improved thyroid cancer diagnosis and has enabled individualized therapeutic options for selected patients with the most aggressive forms of the disease. Guidelines from multiple societies across the world reflect these changes, which focus on taking a more individualized approach to clinical management. In this review, we discuss the current more personalized approach to patients with follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer and point toward areas of future research still needed in the field.

Patient Reported Outcome Measures of Health-Related Quality of Life and Asthenia after Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

After thyroidectomy some patients experience a chronic fatigue syndrome called asthenia. The purpose of this study was to determine the post-operative health related quality of life (HRQOL) and risk of asthenia in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

METHODS

A single institution prospective observational cohort study of adults undergoing thyroidectomy from September 2016 to July 2019 with four HRQOL surveys: preoperative baseline, 2 wk-, 6 mo- and 12 mo-postoperatively. Patients were surveyed using the Short Form 36 version 2 and Brief Fatigue Inventory. Asthenia was defined as Brief Fatigue Inventory > 60 at 12 mo. HRQOL was compared between patients undergoing thyroid lobectomy (TL) or total thyroidectomy (TT) with benign (-B) or malignant (-Ca) final pathology.

RESULTS

A total of 182 patients were included: 67 (37%) with TL-B, 32 (17%) with TL-Ca, 40 (22%) with TT-B, and 43 (24%) with TT-Ca. The incidence of asthenia was 42% for TT and 4% for TL. In the TL-B group, 2 patients (3%) developed asthenia, compared with 2 patients (6.25%) in the TL-Ca group, 14 patients (35%) in the TT-B group, and 21 (48.8%) in the TT-Ca group (P = 0.0001). The odds ratio of asthenia for TT compared to TL was 10.4 (95% CI 3.86-28.16) and for patients with malignancy compared to benign disease was 2.05 (95% CI 1.17-3.61).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing TT have a higher risk of developing asthenia than those undergoing TL, particularly if the final pathology shows malignancy.

Patients' Reaction to Diagnosis with Thyroid Cancer or an Indeterminate Thyroid Nodule

Introduction: Little is known about the experiences and concerns of patients recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer or an indeterminate thyroid nodule. This study sought to explore patients' reactions to diagnosis with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) or indeterminate cytology on fine needle aspiration. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with 85 patients with recently diagnosed PTC or an indeterminate thyroid nodule before undergoing thyroidectomy. We included adults with nodules ≥1 cm and Bethesda III, IV, V, and VI cytology. The analysis utilized grounded theory methodology to create a conceptual model of patient reactions. Results: After diagnosis, participants experienced shock, anxiety, fear, and a strong need to "get it out" because "it's cancer!" This response was frequently followed by a sense of urgency to "get it done," which made waiting for surgery difficult. These reactions occurred regardless of whether participants had confirmed PTC or indeterminate cytology. Participants described the wait between diagnosis and surgery as difficult, because the cancer or nodule was "still sitting there" and "could be spreading." Participants often viewed surgery and getting the cancer out as a "fix" that would resolve their fears and worries, returning them to normalcy. The need to "get it out" also led some participants to minimize the risk of complications or adverse outcomes. Education about the slow-growing nature of PTC reassured some, but not all patients. Conclusions: After diagnosis with PTC or an indeterminate thyroid nodule, many patients have strong emotional reactions and an impulse to "get it out" elicited by the word "cancer." This reaction can persist even after receiving education about the excellent prognosis. Understanding patients' response to diagnosis is critical, because their emotional reactions likely pose a barrier to implementing guidelines recommending less extensive management for PTC.

Can Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging Be Used as a Tool to Predict Extrathyroidal Extension in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma?

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether quantitative diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) with multi-b values can be used as a tool to predict the aggressiveness by using the histological feature of extrathyroidal extension (ETE) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

238 patients were pathologically confirmed as PTCs underwent preoperative multi-b value DWI (300, 500, and 800 s/mm²) between January 2015 and December 2017. The patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of ETE: without ETE, minimal ETE, and extensive ETE. The apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were evaluated for three different b values (b = 300 s/mm², b = 500 s/mm², and b = 800 s/mm²). The ADC values of the groups with and without ETE, minimal and extensive ETE were compared. The diagnostic relevance of the ADC values in terms of predicting ETE was compared using a receiver operating characteristic analysis. Differences between the areas under the curves (AUCs) were compared by using a Delong test.

RESULTS

PTCs with ETE had significantly lower ADC₃₀₀, ADC₅₀₀ and ADC₈₀₀ values than PTCs without ETE (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). The AUC of the mean ADC₅₀₀ value (0.905) was higher than that of the ADC₃₀₀ and ADC₈₀₀ values (0.607 and 0.770, respectively) in differentiating ETE from without ETE (p < 0.001). The cut-off value of ADC₅₀₀ to discriminate PTCs with and without ETE was determined at 1.407 × 10^-3 mm²/s, with sensitivity of 80.7%, specificity of 86.7%, and an AUC of 0.905.

CONCLUSION

The ADC value can be demonstrated an effective tool for evaluating the aggressiveness with the histological feature of ETE in PTC. In particular, ADC value at b = 500 s/mm² showed the best performance for noninvasive preoperative evaluation of ETE.

Health-related quality of life after transoral robotic thyroidectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life after transoral robotic thyroidectomy has not been evaluated thoroughly. The purpose of this study was to compare health-related quality of life after transoral robotic thyroidectomy and after conventional thyroidectomy.

METHODS

This study is a prospective, cross-sectional, and observational study of 114 patients who underwent transoral robotic thyroidectomy (57 patients) or conventional transcervical thyroidectomy (57 patients) for the treatment of papillary carcinoma. We used 2 questionnaires: the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire for head and neck cancer and the thyroid cancer-specific Quality of Life questionnaire (Thyroid Version). The survey was performed preoperatively, and 3 months and 1 year after thyroidectomy.

RESULTS

Mean scores for neck appearance were higher after surgery in the transoral robotic thyroidectomy group than the conventional group at both 3 months and 1 year. Anxiety was significantly improved after surgery in both groups. Total scores for health-related quality of life after surgery were similar in both groups. Health-related quality of life and overall quality of life over the previous 7 days as measured by the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire were significantly better at 1 year than in the preoperative period in both groups. Before surgery, patients in the both groups regarded anxiety and mood as the most important aspects of health-related quality of life. After surgery, patients in the transoral robotic thyroidectomy group identified anxiety, mood, and speech as the most significant issues, while patients in the conventional group selected anxiety, mood, and neck appearance.

CONCLUSION

Quality of life related to neck appearance is higher after transoral robotic thyroidectomy than after transcervical thyroidectomy. However, total scores for health-related quality of life did not differ in the 2 groups after surgery.

Association between quality of life and patient-reported complications from surgery and radioiodine in early-stage thyroid cancer survivors: A matched-pair analysis

BACKGROUND

Remnant radioiodine ablation is discouraged in low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer because it confers no survival advantage. The impact of remnant radioiodine ablation on health-related quality of life in these patients is not well described. We hypothesized remnant radioiodine ablation is associated with lower health-related quality of life in early-stage differentiated thyroid cancer survivors.

METHODS

A retrospective matched-pair analysis was conducted in stage I differentiated thyroid cancer survivors recruited from a thyroid cancer support group. Respondents self-reported via online survey. Dysphonia and dysphagia were reported via Likert scale. Health-related quality of life was evaluated using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) 29-item profile. Respondents who received remnant radioiodine ablation were matched for age, sex, race, and years since diagnosis with respondents who did not receive remnant radioiodine ablation. PROMIS t-scores were compared between remnant radioiodine ablation and nonremnant radioiodine ablation groups, and among those with or without surgical complications.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-two pairs were matched. There was no significant difference in incidence of self-reported hypocalcemia, infection, dysphonia, or dysphagia between remnant radioiodine ablation and no remnant radioiodine ablation groups. There was no significant difference in mean PROMIS t-scores. Of respondents reporting normal preoperative voice and swallowing, there were no significant differences in postprocedural outcomes or PROMIS scores. Regardless of remnant radioiodine ablation treatment, those with surgical complications of hypocalcemia, dysphonia, or dysphagia reported worse PROMIS scores across multiple domains. Remnant radioiodine ablation-associated xerostomia was associated with worse PROMIS scores across multiple domains.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to use PROMIS measures to evaluate the association between remnant radioiodine ablation and health-related quality of life in early-stage differentiated thyroid cancer survivors treated surgically. Surgical and remnant radioiodine ablation-associated complications were associated with significantly worse PROMIS scores across multiple domains.

Preferences for thyroidectomy technique: Comparing traditional and transoral approaches

BACKGROUND

We investigated preferences between the transcervical and transoral thyroidectomy approach in the United States and Israel.

METHODS

An online survey assessing scar attitudes and surgical preferences, in English and Hebrew, was distributed on ThyCa.com and other platforms.

RESULTS

928 and 339 responses from the United States and Israel cohorts, respectively, were analyzed. In both countries, individuals without prior thyroidectomy preferred a scarless approach when hypothetical risks equaled those of traditional thyroidectomy (77% United States, 76% Israel, p = 0.61). U.S. respondents without thyroidectomy had greater preference to avoid a scar and would pay more to do so than those with thyroidectomy (both p < 0.001). Many respondents with prior thyroidectomy still expressed interest in scarless alternatives (57% United States).

CONCLUSIONS

Populations in Israel and the United States prefer scarless thyroidectomy when risks equal the traditional approach. While individuals without prior thyroidectomy are more likely to favor a scarless option, former thyroidectomy patients may have preferred avoiding a scar.

Disability, psychological distress and quality of life in relation to cancer diagnosis and cancer type: population-based Australian study of 22,505 cancer survivors and 244,000 people without cancer

BACKGROUND

Improved survival means that cancer is increasingly becoming a chronic disease. Understanding and improving functional outcomes are critical to optimising survivorship. We quantified physical and mental health-related outcomes in people with versus without cancer, according to cancer type.

METHODS

Questionnaire data from an Australian population-based cohort study (45 and Up Study (n = 267,153)) were linked to cancer registration data to ascertain cancer diagnoses up to enrolment. Modified Poisson regression estimated age- and sex-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) for adverse person-centred outcomes-severe physical functional limitations (disability), moderate/high psychological distress and fair/poor quality of life (QoL)-in participants with versus without cancer, for 13 cancer types.

RESULTS

Compared to participants without cancer (n = 244,000), cancer survivors (n = 22,505) had greater disability (20.6% versus 12.6%, respectively, PR = 1.28, 95%CI = (1.25-1.32)), psychological (22.2% versus 23.5%, 1.05 (1.02-1.08)) and poor/fair QoL (15.2% versus 10.2%; 1.28 (1.24-1.32)). The outcomes varied by cancer type, being worse for multiple myeloma (PRs versus participants without cancer for disability 3.10, 2.56-3.77; distress 1.53, 1.20-1.96; poor/fair QoL 2.40, 1.87-3.07), lung cancer (disability 2.81, 2.50-3.15; distress 1.67, 1.46-1.92; poor/fair QoL 2.53, 2.21-2.91) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (disability 1.56, 1.37-1.78; distress 1.20, 1.05-1.36; poor/fair QoL 1.66, 1.44-1.92) and closer to those in people without cancer for breast cancer (disability 1.23, 1.16-1.32; distress 0.95, 0.90-1.01; poor/fair QoL 1.15, 1.05-1.25), prostate cancer (disability 1.11, 1.04-1.19; distress 1.09, 1.02-1.15; poor/fair QoL 1.15, 1.08-1.23) and melanoma (disability 1.02, 0.94-1.10; distress 0.96, 0.89-1.03; poor/fair QoL 0.92, 0.83-1.01). Outcomes were worse with recent diagnosis and treatment and advanced stage. Physical disability in cancer survivors was greater in all population subgroups examined and was a major contributor to adverse distress and QoL outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical disability, distress and reduced QoL are common after cancer and vary according to cancer type suggesting priority areas for research, and care and support.

Patient Report of Recurrent and Persistent Thyroid Cancer

Background: Despite the excellent survival of most patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), recurrent and persistent disease remain major concerns for physicians and patients. However, studies on patient report of recurrent and persistent disease are lacking. Methods: Between February 1, 2017, and October 31, 2018, we surveyed eligible patients who were diagnosed with DTC between 2014 and 2015 from the Georgia and Los Angeles Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registries (N = 2632; response rate, 63%). Patients who reported current disease status were included in this study (n = 2454). Patient-reported data were linked to registry data. A multivariable, multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine patient and tumor characteristics associated with recurrent and persistent thyroid cancer. Quality of life was evaluated using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Global Health v1.2 questionnaire. Meaningful change in global health was defined as a minimal difference of a half standard deviation or 5 points compared with the mean (T score = 50) of a sample population matching the United States 2000 General Census. Results: Of the 2454 patients completing the survey, 95 (4.1%) reported recurrent disease and 137 (5.8%) reported persistent disease. In multinomial analyses, T3/T4 classification and cervical lymph node involvement (N1) were associated with both report of recurrent (adjusted relative risk ratio [RRR] 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI 1.16-3.42]; adjusted RRR 2.03 [CI 1.29-3.21], respectively) and persistent disease (adjusted RRR 3.48 [CI 1.96-6.20]; adjusted RRR 3.56 [CI 2.41-5.24], respectively). Additionally, Hispanic ethnicity was associated with report of recurrent disease (adjusted RRR 1.99 [CI 1.23-3.24]). Regarding quality of life, the median scores in patients with persistent disease met criteria for meaningful change in global physical health (T-score = 44.9) and global mental health (T-score = 43.5) when compared with the general population norms. Median scores in patients with cured or recurrent disease did not meet criteria for meaningful change. Conclusions: Patient report is a reasonable method of assessing recurrent and persistent disease. Impact on quality of life is more marked for patients with reported persistent disease. Our findings will help personalize treatment and long-term follow-up in these patients.

Restorative oncodermatology: Diagnosis and management of dermatologic sequelae from cancer therapies

The long-term survival of patients with cancer has risen dramatically during the last few decades. Despite this remarkable success, the same treatments that have enabled cure or remission often secondarily affect the skin, hair, and nails. Conditions including scarring, striae distensae, persistent alopecia, pigmentary changes, nail alterations, chronic radiation dermatitis, and radiation fibrosis have been associated with anxiety, depression, decreased quality of life, and impaired function. These dermatologic changes are cosmetically disfiguring, may limit activities, and are a visual reminder of past illness. Interventions toward improving these untoward sequelae and restoring the appearance and function of skin and appendages are critical for normalization and may contribute to improved quality of life in cancer survivors. Here, we outline dermatologic sequelae of cancer therapies with a review of medical and procedural treatment strategies to restore dermatologic health in the survivorship population.

Imaging and choosing the right patients for transoral endoscopic parathyroidectomy vestibular approach

Advances in imaging for preoperative localization have propelled the widespread adoption of minimally invasive/focused parathyroidectomy in primary hyperparathyroidism. Though it is performed through a relatively small incision, studies have shown that the presence of a neck scar increases attentional bias towards the neck resulting in compromised quality of life. Transoral endoscopic parathyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOEPVA) eliminates a neck scar. While indications for TOEPVA are the same as that of minimally invasive open parathyroidectomy, confident preoperative localization of the parathyroid with a surgeon performed ultrasound along with concordant localization with SPECT CT is an essential prerequisite before offering patients this approach for parathyroidectomy. Early data has demonstrated the feasibility and safety of this approach.

What the thyroid cancer patient wants to know: ThyCa survey by the American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section

OBJECTIVE

To survey a large cohort of thyroid cancer survivors from ThyCa on information needs and expectations of their treatment to better understand the pretreatment counseling, information, and support needs of this population.

METHODS

Anonymous survey of thyroid cancer survivors.

RESULTS

One thousand one hundred twenty-four patients with thyroid cancer participated in the survey. Three hundred sixty-two (37.44%) reported not having had a full understanding of their treatment plan and 407 (46.41%) reported that their thyroid cancer treatment did not conform to expectations. Patients diagnosed at younger ages were significantly more likely to report inadequate understanding of the treatment, failure of treatment to meet expectations, and call for greater attention to psychological well-being. Older patients were more likely to report unexpected effects on speech and swallowing. Regardless of age, patients most frequently called for greater attention to management of energy levels (endorsed by 61% of respondents), psychological well-being (50%), and weight changes (48%).

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements are needed in age-specific communication of thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Looking under the hood of "the Cadillac of cancers:" radioactive iodine-related craniofacial side effects among patients with thyroid cancer

PURPOSE

Despite having a generally favorable prognosis, differentiated thyroid cancer is known to have a significant, long-term impact on the quality of life of survivors. We wished to investigate short- and long-term effects among thyroid cancer survivors following radioactive iodine therapy.

METHODS

We conducted eight focus groups (N = 47) to understand patients' experiences of short- and long-term effects after radioactive iodine treatment and the impact these treatment-related side effects had on patients' quality of life. We elicited responses regarding experiences with side effects following radioactive iodine treatment, particularly salivary, lacrimal, and nasal symptoms. We transcribed audiotapes and conducted qualitative analyses to identify codes and themes.

RESULTS

We identified eight broad themes from the qualitative analyses. Themes reflecting physical symptoms included dry mouth, salivary gland dysfunction, altered taste, eye symptoms such as tearing or dryness, and epistaxis. Psychosocial themes included lack of knowledge and preparation for treatment, regret of treatment, and distress that thyroid cancer is labeled as a "good cancer."

CONCLUSIONS

Thyroid cancer survivors reported a wide range of radioactive iodine treatment-related effects and psychosocial concerns that appear to reduce quality of life. The psychosocial concerns reported by participants underscore the significant unmet information and support needs prior to and following RAI treatment among individuals diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Future research is needed to help both patients and physicians understand the effect of radioactive iodine on quality of life, and to better assess the benefits versus the risks of radioactive iodine therapy.

Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, part I: National cancer statistics

BACKGROUND

The American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Cancer Institute, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries collaborate to provide annual updates on cancer occurrence and trends in the United States.

METHODS

Data on new cancer diagnoses during 2001 through 2016 were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded and National Cancer Institute-funded population-based cancer registry programs and compiled by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. Data on cancer deaths during 2001 through 2017 were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics' National Vital Statistics System. Trends in incidence and death rates for all cancers combined and for the leading cancer types by sex, racial/ethnic group, and age were estimated by joinpoint analysis and characterized by the average annual percent change during the most recent 5 years (2012-2016 for incidence and 2013-2017 for mortality).

RESULTS

Overall, cancer incidence rates decreased 0.6% on average per year during 2012 through 2016, but trends differed by sex, racial/ethnic group, and cancer type. Among males, cancer incidence rates were stable overall and among non-Hispanic white males but decreased in other racial/ethnic groups; rates increased for 5 of the 17 most common cancers, were stable for 7 cancers (including prostate), and decreased for 5 cancers (including lung and bronchus [lung] and colorectal). Among females, cancer incidence rates increased during 2012 to 2016 in all racial/ethnic groups, increasing on average 0.2% per year; rates increased for 8 of the 18 most common cancers (including breast), were stable for 6 cancers (including colorectal), and decreased for 4 cancers (including lung). Overall, cancer death rates decreased 1.5% on average per year during 2013 to 2017, decreasing 1.8% per year among males and 1.4% per year among females. During 2013 to 2017, cancer death rates decreased for all cancers combined among both males and females in each racial/ethnic group, for 11 of the 19 most common cancers among males (including lung and colorectal), and for 14 of the 20 most common cancers among females (including lung, colorectal, and breast). The largest declines in death rates were observed for melanoma of the skin (decreasing 6.1% per year among males and 6.3% among females) and lung (decreasing 4.8% per year among males and 3.7% among females). Among children younger than 15 years, cancer incidence rates increased an average of 0.8% per year during 2012 to 2016, and cancer death rates decreased an average of 1.4% per year during 2013 to 2017. Among adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 39 years, cancer incidence rates increased an average of 0.9% per year during 2012 to 2016, and cancer death rates decreased an average of 1.0% per year during 2013 to 2017.

CONCLUSIONS

Although overall cancer death rates continue to decline, incidence rates are leveling off among males and are increasing slightly among females. These trends reflect population changes in cancer risk factors, screening test use, diagnostic practices, and treatment advances. Many cancers can be prevented or treated effectively if they are found early. Population-based cancer incidence and mortality data can be used to inform efforts to decrease the cancer burden in the United States and regularly monitor progress toward goals.