Clinical Thyroidology for the Public Volume 10 Issue 9

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 10 Issue 9

Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month

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Clinical Thyroidology for the Public Volume 10 Issue 9 (PDF file, 7.06 MB)

TABLE OF CONTENTS Web Format

Editor’s Comments

THYROID CANCER Large “benign” variants of papillary thyroid cancer (NIFTP) have a very low risk of cancer recurrence
In 2016, the encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer with no evidence of spread into the thyroid capsule or into the blood vessels seen under the microscope was renamed as noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP), and was suggested that it was a non-cancer diagnosis. Because of an excellent prognosis without recurrence, it is no longer recommended for patients with NIFTP to have additional treatments. The current study looked at patients with large (>4 cm) NIFTP to determine whether the prognosis and recurrence risk remains low even though the tumors are big
Xu B et al. Outcome of large noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). Thyroid. 2017 Apr;27(4):512-517.
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THYROID CANCER Older age and advanced disease are risk factors for complications after thyroid cancer surgery
Thyroid surgery is a fairly safe procedure with very low complication rate. Among the most common complications are damage to the vocal cords, damage to the parathyroid glands that control calcium levels and bleeding. This study looked at the risk of complications after thyroid surgery and if there are specific risk factors for complications in older adults in the US.
Papaleontiou M et al Extrathyroidal population-based assessment of complications following surgery for thyroid cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. April 28, 2017 [Epub ahead of print].
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THYROID CANCER Intensity of uptake on PET-CT scan in metastatic thyroid cancer fails to predict growth in individual metastatic lesions
When metastatic thyroid cancer does not respond to radioactive iodine treatment, and surgery or external radiation therapy are not an option, a wait-and-see approach is recommended with close monitoring with imaging studies. Previous studies have shown that uptake of radioactive 18F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (a PET-CT scan) is a predictor of survival in these patients. This study examines the relationship between the intensity of the PET-CT scan with cancer growth.
Terroir M et al. The intensity of 18FDG uptake does not predict tumor growth in patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2017;44:638–46. Epub October 29, 2016.
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HYPOTHYROIDISM First-degree family members of patients with hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis have an increased risk of developing hypothyroidism
Family members of patients with hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis have a higher risk to develop this disorder, but it is unclear what degree is this risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of developing the disease in first-degree relatives (parents, children, siblings) of patients with hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis as compared with the general population in an Indian population.
Bothra N et al Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: relative recurrence risk ratio and implications for screening of first degree relatives. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf ). 2017 Aug;87(2):201-206.
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THYROID AND WEIGHT Weight gain and thyroid tests during pregnancy: is there a link?
The relationship between body weight and thyroid hormone levels is complex as is the relationship between thyroid hormone levels and pregnancy. It is unknown what the correlation is between obesity and pregnancy in terms of thyroid hormone levels. This study looked at thyroid tests during pregnancy and their link with the mother’s weight both before and during pregnancy.
M Collares F. Maternal thyroid function, prepregnancy obesity and gestational weight gain— the Generation R Study: a prospective cohort study. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf ). June 30, 2017 [Epub ahead of print].
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