BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the adequacy of follow-up of thyroid cancer patients at a Canadian centre. METHODS: We mailed a survey to the family physicians of thyroid cancer patients and analyzed the findings relative to follow-up guidelines published by the American Thyroid Association (ATA). Statistical significance between early and late follow-up patterns was analyzed using the χ(2) test. RESULTS: Our survey response rate was 56.2% (91 of 162). The time from operation ranged from 1.24-7.13 (mean 3.96) years, and 87.9% of patients had undergone a physical exam within the previous year. Only 37.4% and 14% of patients had a serum thyroglobulin measurement within 6 and between 6 and 12 months before the survey, respectively. Thyroid simulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured within the prior 6 months in 67% of patients and between 6 and 12 months in 13.2%. The TSH levels were suppressed (< 0.1 μIU/L) in 24.2% of patients, 0.1-2 μIU/L in 44% and greater than 2 μIU/L in 17.6%. Ultrasonography was the most common imaging test performed. CONCLUSION: There is significant variation in the follow-up patterns of patients with thyroid cancer, and there is considerable deviation from current ATA guidelines.
BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the adequacy of follow-up of thyroid cancerpatients at a Canadian centre. METHODS: We mailed a survey to the family physicians of thyroid cancerpatients and analyzed the findings relative to follow-up guidelines published by the American Thyroid Association (ATA). Statistical significance between early and late follow-up patterns was analyzed using the χ(2) test. RESULTS: Our survey response rate was 56.2% (91 of 162). The time from operation ranged from 1.24-7.13 (mean 3.96) years, and 87.9% of patients had undergone a physical exam within the previous year. Only 37.4% and 14% of patients had a serum thyroglobulin measurement within 6 and between 6 and 12 months before the survey, respectively. Thyroid simulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured within the prior 6 months in 67% of patients and between 6 and 12 months in 13.2%. The TSH levels were suppressed (< 0.1 μIU/L) in 24.2% of patients, 0.1-2 μIU/L in 44% and greater than 2 μIU/L in 17.6%. Ultrasonography was the most common imaging test performed. CONCLUSION: There is significant variation in the follow-up patterns of patients with thyroid cancer, and there is considerable deviation from current ATA guidelines.
Authors: David S Cooper; Gerard M Doherty; Bryan R Haugen; Bryan R Hauger; Richard T Kloos; Stephanie L Lee; Susan J Mandel; Ernest L Mazzaferri; Bryan McIver; Furio Pacini; Martin Schlumberger; Steven I Sherman; David L Steward; R Michael Tuttle Journal: Thyroid Date: 2009-11 Impact factor: 6.568
Authors: F Pacini; E Molinaro; M G Castagna; L Agate; R Elisei; C Ceccarelli; F Lippi; D Taddei; L Grasso; A Pinchera Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2003-08 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Nayahmka J McGriff; Gyorgy Csako; Loukas Gourgiotis; Guthrie Lori C; Frank Pucino; Nicholas J Sarlis Journal: Ann Med Date: 2002 Impact factor: 4.709
Authors: Syed Ali Imran; Karen Chu; Murali Rajaraman; Drew Rajaraman; Sunita Ghosh; Sarah De Brabandere; Stephanie M Kaiser; Stan Van Uum Journal: Eur Thyroid J Date: 2018-11-22
Authors: Jacqueline L Bender; David Wiljer; Anna M Sawka; Richard Tsang; Nour Alkazaz; James D Brierley Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2015-11-03 Impact factor: 3.359