Allen S Ho1,2, Irene Chen1,3, Michelle Melany1,3, Wendy L Sacks1,4. 1. Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute. 2. Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 3. Department of Radiology. 4. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize developments on active surveillance for micropapillary thyroid cancers, with a focus on strategies for optimal risk stratification and caveats that currently limit adoption. RECENT FINDINGS: Observational trials encompassing thousands of active surveillance patients worldwide have increasingly demonstrated the viability of active surveillance for small, low-risk thyroid cancers. Collectively, these data have established that with proper patient selection and strict monitoring, more than 85% of such cases remain indolent no meaningful clinical growth over at least 10 years. Moreover, to date no cases of symptomatic progression or distant metastasis have been reported, and that delayed treatment when needed has not led to unresectable disease or higher risk of complications. Deeper investigation to better predict clinical progression is necessary to improve patient selection, given concerns regarding patient anxiety, age eligibility, and underestimation of true disease extent. SUMMARY: Compelling data from ongoing trials support active surveillance as a first-line management option for micropapillary thyroid carcinomas. Proper risk stratification and strict monitoring protocols will be necessary to sustain the excellent results achieved to date. Broad adoption of active surveillance will require further education, collaboration, and equipoise between physicians and patients to optimize such individualized treatment plans.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize developments on active surveillance for micropapillary thyroid cancers, with a focus on strategies for optimal risk stratification and caveats that currently limit adoption. RECENT FINDINGS: Observational trials encompassing thousands of active surveillance patients worldwide have increasingly demonstrated the viability of active surveillance for small, low-risk thyroid cancers. Collectively, these data have established that with proper patient selection and strict monitoring, more than 85% of such cases remain indolent no meaningful clinical growth over at least 10 years. Moreover, to date no cases of symptomatic progression or distant metastasis have been reported, and that delayed treatment when needed has not led to unresectable disease or higher risk of complications. Deeper investigation to better predict clinical progression is necessary to improve patient selection, given concerns regarding patientanxiety, age eligibility, and underestimation of true disease extent. SUMMARY: Compelling data from ongoing trials support active surveillance as a first-line management option for micropapillary thyroid carcinomas. Proper risk stratification and strict monitoring protocols will be necessary to sustain the excellent results achieved to date. Broad adoption of active surveillance will require further education, collaboration, and equipoise between physicians and patients to optimize such individualized treatment plans.
Authors: Allen S Ho; Michael Luu; Cynthia Zalt; Luc G T Morris; Irene Chen; Michelle Melany; Nabilah Ali; Chrysanta Patio; Yufei Chen; Jon Mallen St-Clair; Glenn D Braunstein; Wendy L Sacks; Zachary S Zumsteg Journal: Thyroid Date: 2019-09-24 Impact factor: 6.568
Authors: Leonardo Rangel; Leonardo M Volpi; Elaine Stabenow; Jose Higino Steck; Erivelto Volpi; Jonathon O Russell; Ralph P Tufano Journal: World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2020-09-19
Authors: Allen S Ho; Michael Luu; Laurel Barrios; Bonnie L Balzer; Shikha Bose; Xuemo Fan; Evan Walgama; Jon Mallen-St Clair; Usman Alam; Iram Shafqat; De-Chen Lin; Yufei Chen; Jennifer E Van Eyk; Ellie G Maghami; Glenn D Braunstein; Wendy L Sacks; Zachary S Zumsteg Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2020-08-17 Impact factor: 5.344