Clinical Thyroidology for the Public summarizes selected research studies discussed in the previous month’s issue of Clinical Thyroidology, an official publication of the American Thyroid Association. Editor-in-chief, Alan Farwell, MD, FACE
Volume 19 Issue 6
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Clinical Thyroidology for the Public Volume 19 Issue 6 (PDF file, 2.62 MB)
TABLE OF CONTENTS – Web Format
THYROID CANCER
Can I only have half my thyroid removed even if my thyroid cancer has spread to my lymph nodes?
Most patients who have thyroid cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes are considered intermediate- high or high risk of recurrence, according to the ATA guidelines. These patients are usually treated with a total thyroidectomy, lymph node removal, and radioactive iodine therapy to destroy all remaining thyroid cells after surgery. The goal of this study is to see if patients who had less aggressive treatments for their thyroid cancer do as well in the first 5 years after treatment as those patients who received more aggressive treatments.
Scholfield DW, et al. Thyroid lobectomy and neck dissection for N1b papillary thyroid carcinoma. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2026;152(2):208–214; doi: 10.1001/ jamaoto.2025.4653. PMID: 41411004.
THYROID CANCER
Shared-decision-making discussions regarding surgery for low-risk thyroid cancer
The treatment of thyroid cancer no longer involves a one-size-fitsall approach. The decision about which type of surgery would be best requires a conversation between the patient and provider on the benefits and risks of both options. In this study, researchers examine patient and provider experiences and perspectives on the decision-making process for patients undergoing surgery for low-risk thyroid cancer.
Yang W, et al. Understanding the factors that influence shared-decision making around surgical resection of low-risk thyroid cancers: a prospective qualitative study. Thyroid 2026;36(1):81–88; doi: 10.1177/10507256251408856. PMID: 41467962.
THYROID CANCER
Is more always better? Surgical extent and radioactive iodine treatment in papillary thyroid cancer.
Total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy is the recommendation for treating patients with intermediate-high risk thyroid cancer. However, this is a rather diverse group of patients and maybe all do not need this aggressive treatment. In this study, researchers examine the outcomes for intermediate-high risk patients treated with 3 different approaches.
Fujiwara T, et al. Are total thyroidectomy and adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment required in all patients with N1b intermediate-high risk papillary thyroid carcinoma? Thyroid 2026;36(1):36–45
THYROID CANCER
Circulating cancer DNA in Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Circulating cancer DNA (cDNA) are pieces of DNA shed by cancer cells in the body and found in the blood. Newly developed blood tests, often called liquid biopsy, can now detect these pieces of cDNA, and help make a diagnosis of cancer, inform if the cancer is coming back and guide treatment. This study examined whether testing for cDNA can be a useful tool in managing patients with MTC, particularly in patients with large amounts of cancer still in the body.
Ciampi R et al. Liquid biopsy-based RET mutation profiling to guide RET inhibitor treatment in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma may be useful in cases with high tumor burden and progressive disease. Thyroid. 2026;36(2):188– 194; doi: 10.1177/10507256261416836. PMID: 41578741.
HYPOTHYROIDISM
Subclinical hypothyroidism and mortality: revisiting an ongoing question.
While treatment of overt hypothyroidism is clearly indicated, treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism is less clear. Some speculate that treating subclinical hypothyroidism may help lower heart risks in younger adults between 40 and 70 years old. In this study, Ran and his team looked at how hypothyroidism affects the risk of death using a very large group of adults in China, including younger adults.
Ran X, et al. Hypothyroidism and risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a retrospective cohort study of 70,276 Chinese adults. Thyroid 2025;35(12):1403–1411; doi: 10.1177/10507256251393523. PMID: 41213612.
THYROID IN PREGNANCY
Low FT4 and insulin needs in GDM: Causation, correlation, or confounding?
Thyroid disorders have been associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is the development of diabetes during pregnancy in women who did not have diabetes before getting pregnant. This study aimed to compare thyroid hormone levels between women with GDM managed with diet and lifestyle measures alone versus those requiring insulin and to determine which variables were associated with the need for insulin.
Jelloul E, et al. Low FT4 levels in early pregnancy are associated with higher insulin therapy need in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Eur Thyroid J 2026;15(1)
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