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Yoon JH, Choi W, Park JY, Hong AR, Kim HK, Kang HC. Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma as an Acceptable Management Option with Additional Benefits: A Comprehensive Systematic Review. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2024; 39:152-163. [PMID: 38417830 PMCID: PMC10901657 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2023.1794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGRUOUND Active surveillance (AS) has been introduced as a management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) due to its typically indolent nature. Despite this, the widespread adoption of AS has encountered several challenges. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the safety of AS related to disease progression and its benefits compared with immediate surgery (IS). METHODS Studies related to AS in patients with low-risk PTC were searched through the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases. Studies on disease progression, surgical complication, quality of life (QoL), and cost-effectiveness were separately analyzed and narratively synthesized. RESULTS In the evaluation of disease progression, the proportions of cases with tumor growth ≥3 mm and a volume increase >50% were 2.2%-10.8% and 16.0%-25.5%, respectively. Newly detected lymph node metastasis was identified in 0.0%-1.4% of patients. No significant difference was found between IS and delayed surgery in surgical complications, including vocal cord paralysis and postoperative hypoparathyroidism. AS was associated with better QoL than IS. Studies on the cost-effectiveness of AS reported inconsistent data, but AS was more cost-effective when quality-adjusted life years were considered. CONCLUSION AS is an acceptable management option for patients with low-risk PTC based on the low rate of disease progression and the absence of an increased mortality risk. AS has additional benefits, including improved QoL and greater QoL-based cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Hee Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Wonsuk Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Ji Yong Park
- Department of Internal Medicine Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - A Ram Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Hee Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Ho-Cheol Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
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Smulever A, Pitoia F. Thirty years of active surveillance for low-risk thyroid cancer, lessons learned and future directions. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2024; 25:65-78. [PMID: 37833520 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-023-09844-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Active Surveillance is a non-invasive strategy designed to identify a minority of patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma who might experience clinical progression and benefit from additional definitive treatments. Global experience suggests that these tumors typically show minimal changes in size during active surveillance, often demonstrating very slow growth or even size reduction. Moreover, the rate of lymph node metastases is low and can be effectively managed through rescue surgery, without impacting cancer-related mortality. However, despite 30 years of experience demonstrating the safety and feasibility of active surveillance for appropriately selected patients, this approach seems to have limited adoption in specific contexts. This limitation can be attributed to various barriers, including disparities in access to accurate information about the indolent nature of this disease and the prevalence of a maximalist mindset among certain patients and medical settings. This review aims to revisit the experience from the last three decades, provide current insights into the clinical outcomes of active surveillance trials, and propose a systematic approach for its implementation. Furthermore, it intends to emphasize the importance of precise patient selection and provides new perspectives in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabella Smulever
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, 2351, Argentina.
- Division of Endocrinology, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Fabian Pitoia
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, 2351, Argentina
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Issa PP, Munshi R, Albuck AL, Omar M, Abu Alhuda RF, Metz T, Hussein M, Shama M, Lee GS, Toraih E, Kandil E. Recommend with caution: A meta-analysis investigating papillary thyroid carcinoma tumor progression under active surveillance. Am J Otolaryngol 2023; 44:103994. [PMID: 37607459 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.103994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is an indolent disease with favorable outcomes. The non-surgical treatment approach known as active surveillance (AS) has been introduced as an alternative treatment instead of the traditional thyroidectomy. However, 10-15 % of PTC tend to progress. We sought to determine factors predicting the progression of PTC under AS. METHODS A systematic search was performed in January 2022 using PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. PRISMA guidelines were used by multiple reviewers to extract study characteristics (author name, publication date, journal name, country, institution, and study design), as well as main outcomes and measures. A combination of utilization of thyroid replacement therapy, baseline tumor size and volume, follow-up tumor size and volume, and the presence of lymph node metastasis and its distribution, as well as surveillance duration, were the main measures of this study. RESULTS Nine studies with 4166 patients were included, of which 354 showed tumor progression during AS (15 %; 95%CI = 7 % - 23 %). The average follow-up period was 41.58 months. The mean tumor maximum diameter was 8.54 mm (95%CI = 7.04-10.03). Tumor progression was most commonly secondary to an increase in volume by ≥50 % (75 %; 95%CI = 68 % - 80 %), then increase in diameter by ≥3 mm (41 %; 95%CI = 13 % - 76 %), and finally the development of lymph node metastasis (13 %; 95%CI = 9 % - 19 %). Approximately only 2 % of all patients thus developed new lymph node metastasis. Patient age, sex, and tumor size were not associated with higher risks of tumor progression. 12 % of AS patients eventually underwent surgery, though only 40 % (95%CI = 27 % - 53 %) of these patients displayed tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis determined a tumor progression rate of 15 % in patients who underwent AS management, 13 % of which (2 % of all patients) developed lymph node metastasis. We found no protective or risk factors for tumor progression, and that almost half of all patients who underwent delayed surgery did so for reasons other than tumor progression. While not biopsying small (<1 cm) or very low suspicious nodules is already recommended, AS may be an appropriate treatment option in patients appropriately counseled, considering the low risk of advanced tumor progression but also the considerable patient population who fail to adhere to treatment. Alternatively, in aim of preventing overtreatment in patients who would rather take proactive measures against their low-risk carcinoma, minimally-invasive ablation techniques may be an attractive option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter P Issa
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America; School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Ruhul Munshi
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Aaron L Albuck
- School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Mahmoud Omar
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Ruba F Abu Alhuda
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Tyler Metz
- School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Mohammad Hussein
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Mohamed Shama
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Grace S Lee
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Eman Toraih
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America; Genetics Unit, Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Suez Canal University Faculty of Medicine, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Emad Kandil
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America.
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Baek HS, Ha J, Kim K, Bae J, Kim JS, Kim S, Lim DJ, Kim C. Cost-Effectiveness of Active Surveillance Compared to Early Surgery of Small Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Retrospective Study on a Korean Population. J Korean Med Sci 2023; 38:e264. [PMID: 37644680 PMCID: PMC10462480 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, active surveillance (AS) has been introduced as an alternative to early surgery (ES) for the management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), because of its indolent features and low mortality. However, its cost effects have not been determined and the findings of current studies differ, according to each country's medical system. METHODS A Markov model was constructed to compare the cost-effectiveness of AS and ES, based on a reference case of a 40-year-old patient diagnosed with PTMC. Costs and transition probabilities were derived from previous clinical studies in Korean populations, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and net monetary benefit (NMB) were calculated. The willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold was set at USD 100,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to address the uncertainties in the model's variables. RESULTS From the base scenario, the cumulative costs and effectiveness were both higher in ES than AS. The ICER for ES, compared with AS, was USD 6,619.86/QALY, lower than the set WTP. The NMB difference between AS and ES increased across the stages (USD 5,980 at the first stage and USD 159,667 at the last stage). The ICER increased along with decreasing age and increasing cost of surgery. The higher the ES utility score and the lower that of AS, the more cost-effective ES, with WTP set at USD 30,000. CONCLUSION In the current Korean medical system, ES is more cost-effective than AS. ES is more cost-effective as it is diagnosed at young age and followed-up for a long time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Sang Baek
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeonghoon Ha
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwangsoon Kim
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaseong Bae
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Soo Kim
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sungju Kim
- Healthcare Group, Lee & Ko, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Jun Lim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Chulmin Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
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Lai M, Zhang MM, Qin QQ, An Y, Li YT, Yuan WZ. Cost-effectiveness of active surveillance versus early surgery for thyroid micropapillary carcinoma based on diagnostic and treatment norms in China. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1166433. [PMID: 37664842 PMCID: PMC10471146 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1166433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives In this study, we compared the cost-effectiveness comparison of the active surveillance (AS) and early surgery (ES) approaches for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. Methods We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using a Markov model of PTMC we developed to evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of AS and ES. Our reference case was of a 40-year-old woman diagnosed with unifocal (<10 mm) PTMC. Relevant data were extracted after an extensive literature review, and the cost incurred in each state was determined using China Medicare data on payments for ES and AS. The willingness-to-pay threshold was set at ¥242,928/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for any uncertainty in the model's variables. Additional subgroup analyses were performed to determine whether AS was cost-effective when different initial monitoring ages were used. Results ES exhibited an effectiveness of 5.2 QALYs, whereas AS showed an effectiveness of 25.8 QALYs. Furthermore, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for ES versus AS was ¥1,009/QALY. The findings of all sensitivity analyses were robust. Compared with ES, AS was found to be the cost-effective strategy at initial monitoring ages of 20 and 60 years, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of ¥3,431/QALY and -¥1,316/QALY at 20 and 60 years, respectively. AS was a more cost-effective strategy in patients with PTMC aged more than 60. Conclusions With respect to the norms of the Chinese healthcare system, AS was more cost-effective for PTMC over lifetime surveillance than ES. Furthermore, it was cost-effective even when the initial monitoring ages were different. In addition, if AS is incorporated into the management plan for PTMC in China at the earliest possible stage, a predicted savings of ¥10 × 108/year could be enabled for every 50,000 cases of PTMC, which indicates a good economic return for future management programs. The identification of such nuances can help physicians and patients determine the best and most individualized long-term management strategy for low-risk PTMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Lai
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Miao Miao Zhang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qing Qing Qin
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yu An
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yan Ting Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wen Zhen Yuan
- Department of Oncological Surgery, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Smulever A, Pitoia F. Conservative management of low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: a review of the active surveillance experience. Thyroid Res 2023; 16:6. [PMID: 36907911 PMCID: PMC10009928 DOI: 10.1186/s13044-023-00148-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The detection of low-risk thyroid carcinoma has increased in recent decades, although disease-specific mortality remained without changes. The high prevalence of occult carcinomas in autopsy studies, and hence the underlying indolent course of this entity, prompted the emergence of active surveillance as an alternative approach to these tumors. This strategy aims to recognize the minority group of patients who will develop clinical progression and probably benefit from deferred surgery. Experience around the world has shown that during active surveillance these tumors are mostly unchanged in size, with very-slow growth and even a decrease in diameter. Moreover, the rates of lymph node metastases were low and easily handled by rescue surgery, and distant metastases have not been reported. Given the high prevalence of small thyroid carcinomas and the excellent outcomes for observation, active surveillance provides a safe and feasible alternative in properly selected patients with low-risk thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabella Smulever
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Córdoba 2351, 5th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fabian Pitoia
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Córdoba 2351, 5th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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7
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Guan X, Yu T, Zhang Z, Chen L, Yan A, Li Y, Li J, Wang D, Sun J, Wang F, Miao G. Risk assessment of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules with integrated molecular testing and repeat biopsy: a surgical decision-oriented tool. World J Surg Oncol 2023; 21:34. [PMID: 36737779 PMCID: PMC9896714 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-023-02917-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The preoperative diagnosis of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs) is very challenging. In this study, we aim to provide an integrated risk assessment for thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology to guide surgical decision-making, which includes results of blood tests, molecular tests, and repeat fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). METHODS The study retrospectively included 265 ITNs between June 2019 and April 2022. According to our integrated risk assessment process that starts with blood testing, followed by supplementary DNA mutation detection on the first FNAB, and finally repeat FNAB, we divided the ITNs into high-risk and low-risk groups. Performance was evaluated with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and the consistency between the risk evaluation and histological results. RESULTS Of the 265 ITNs, 87 were included in the risk assessment process. The risk assessment had a sensitivity of 84.1%, specificity of 83.3%, PPV of 95.1%, NPV of 57.7%, and AUC of 0.837. The nodules with consistent results between the risk groups and histological outcomes, which included malignant cases in the high-risk group and benign cases in the low-risk group, accounted for 83.9% of all risk-assessed nodules. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the integrated risk assessment might provide proper information for surgical decision-making in patients with ITNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhuizi Guan
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of General Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO.1 Da Hua Road, Dong Dan, Beijing, 100730 People’s Republic of China
| | - Tian Yu
- grid.413106.10000 0000 9889 6335Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Ultrasonography, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lan Chen
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - An Yan
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yao Li
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of General Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO.1 Da Hua Road, Dong Dan, Beijing, 100730 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiankun Li
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of General Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO.1 Da Hua Road, Dong Dan, Beijing, 100730 People’s Republic of China
| | - Dongdong Wang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of General Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO.1 Da Hua Road, Dong Dan, Beijing, 100730 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Sun
- grid.411634.50000 0004 0632 4559Department of Hematology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Feiliang Wang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Ultrasonography, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gang Miao
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of General Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO.1 Da Hua Road, Dong Dan, Beijing, 100730 People’s Republic of China
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Abstract
Recently, the incidence of thyroid carcinoma has been increasing rapidly worldwide. This is interpreted as an increase in the incidental detection of small papillary thyroid carcinomas by the widespread use of high-resolution imaging techniques such as ultrasonography. However, the mortality rates of thyroid carcinoma have not changed, suggesting that small papillary thyroid carcinomas may be overdiagnosed and overtreated. Active surveillance management has been introduced from Japan since the 1990s, as one of the measures to prevent overtreatment of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Based on the favorable outcomes, active surveillance has been gradually adopted worldwide as an alternative to immediate surgery. The management should be carried out with strict eligibility criteria and close monitoring for cancer progression, under a multidisciplinary team. In addition, an adequate shared decision-making is mandatory for individual patients. Papillary thyroid microcarcinomas with clinically apparent lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, or invasion to adjacent organs should have surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwao Sugitani
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan.
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Conroy PC, Wilhelm A, Calthorpe L, Ullmann TM, Davis S, Huang CY, Shen WT, Gosnell J, Duh QY, Roman S, Sosa JA. Endocrine surgeons are performing more thyroid lobectomies for low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer since the 2015 ATA guidelines. Surgery 2022; 172:1392-1400. [PMID: 36002375 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines recommended either total thyroidectomy or lobectomy for surgical treatment of low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer and de-escalated recommendations for central neck dissections. The study aim was to investigate how practice patterns among endocrine surgeons have changed over time. METHODS All adult patients with low-risk differentiated thyroid cancers (T1-T2, N0/Nx, M0/Mx) in the Collaborative Endocrine Surgery Quality Improvement Program (2014-2021) were identified. The outcomes between patients undergoing lobectomy versus total thyroidectomy were compared using multivariable logistic regression. The annual percent change in the proportion of lobectomies and central neck dissections performed was estimated using joinpoint regression. RESULTS In total, 5,567 patients with low-risk differentiated thyroid cancers were identified. Of these, 2,261 (40.6%) were very low-risk tumors ≤1 cm, and 2,983 (53.6%) were low-risk tumors >1 and <4 cm. Most patients (67.9%) underwent total thyroidectomy. Compared to total thyroidectomy, lobectomy was associated with outpatient surgery (adjusted odds ratio 5.19, P < .001), a decreased risk of postoperative emergency department visits (adjusted odds ratio 0.63, P = .03), and decreased risk of hypoparathyroidism events (adjusted odds ratio 0.03, P < .001). Compared to before (2014-2015), patients undergoing surgery after publication of the revised guidelines (2016-2021) had higher odds of lobectomy and lower odds of central neck dissection for tumors ≤1 cm (lobectomy adjusted odds ratio 2.70, P < .001; central neck dissections adjusted odds ratio 0.64, P = .03) and tumors between 1 and 4 cm (lobectomy adjusted odds ratio 2.27, P < .001; central neck dissection adjusted odds ratio 0.62, P < .001). CONCLUSION After publication of the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines, there has been an increase in thyroid lobectomies as a proportion of all thyroid operations performed by endocrine surgeons for low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer. This has implications for reduced health care use and costs, with potential population-level benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia C Conroy
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. https://twitter.com/PatriciaCConroy
| | | | - Lucia Calthorpe
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. https://twitter.com/CalthorpeLucia
| | - Timothy M Ullmann
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. https://twitter.com/TUllmannMD
| | - Stephanie Davis
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. https://twitter.com/stedavis21_MD
| | - Chiung-Yu Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Wen T Shen
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. https://twitter.com/wshen16
| | - Jessica Gosnell
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Quan-Yang Duh
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. https://twitter.com/EndoSurgSF
| | - Sanziana Roman
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. https://twitter.com/PheoSurgeon
| | - Julie Ann Sosa
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
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