Differentiated thyroid cancer: A guide to survivorship care

BACKGROUND

Thyroid cancer diagnoses are increasing in Australia. Increased detection and excellent prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancers has led to a growing cohort of patients undergoing post-treatment survivorship care.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the principles and modalities of differentiated thyroid cancer survivorship care in adults and present a framework for follow-up within general practice.

DISCUSSION

Surveillance for recurrent disease is an important component of survivorship care and involves clinical assessment, biochemical monitoring of serum thyroglobulin and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and ultrasonography. Thyroid‑ stimulating hormone suppression is frequently used to reduce the risk of recurrence. Clear communication between the patient's thyroid specialists and their general practitioners is important to plan and monitor effective follow-up.

Epidemic potential of Zika virus in Australia: implications for blood transfusion safety

BACKGROUND

Zika virus (ZIKV) is transfusion-transmissible. In Australia the primary vector, Aedes aegypti, is established in the north-east, such that local transmission is possible following importation of an index case, which has the potential to impact on blood transfusion safety and public health. We estimated the basic reproduction number (R ₀ ) to model the epidemic potential of ZIKV in Australian locations, compared this with the ecologically similar dengue viruses (DENV), and examined possible implications for blood transfusion safety.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Varying estimates of vector control efficiency and extrinsic incubation period, "best-case" and "worst-case" scenarios of monthly R ₀ for ZIKV and DENV were modeled from 1996 to 2015 in 11 areas. We visualized the geographical distribution of blood donors in relation to areas with epidemic potential for ZIKV.

RESULTS

Epidemic potential (R ₀ > 1) existed for ZIKV and DENV throughout the study period in a number of locations in northern Australia (Cairns, Darwin, Rockhampton, Thursday Island, Townsville, and Brisbane) during the warmer months of the year. R ₀ for DENV was greater than ZIKV and was broadly consistent with annual estimates in Cairns. Increased vector control efficiency markedly reduced the epidemic potential and shortened the season of local transmission. Australian locations that provide the greatest number of blood donors did not have epidemic potential for ZIKV.

CONCLUSION

We estimate that areas of north-eastern Australia could sustain local transmission of ZIKV. This early contribution to understanding the epidemic potential of ZIKV may assist in the assessment and management of threats to blood transfusion safety.