Outcome of differentiated thyroid cancer after initial treatment

Abstract

Incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer has increased in the last two decades. This type of cancer is now being diagnosed at an earlier stage. Treatment strategy has been modified. Aims: The goals of this study were to analyze the outcome of differentiated thyroid cancer after initial treatment (surgery and radioiodine ablation) in patients evaluated and followed up in a single centre between l999 and 2009, to compare these results with others as well as to monitor the adoption of international recommendation. 107 patients having T1-T2 differentiated thyroid cancer were studied. Mean follow-up time was 63 months. Results: After surgery patients were prepared using thyroid hormone withdrawal or recombinant human thyrotropin, then 1.1-3.7 GBq 131-iodine was administered. First year evaluation consisted of ultrasound as well as serum thyrotropin and thyroglobulin (plus thyroglobulin antibody) determinations. Ablation success rate was 83% and the five year survival was 100%. There was not any cancer specific death. Conclusion: In the future somewhat more radical surgery and less remnant ablation is needed with unified follow-up protocol. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1731–1738.