New paradigms in the treatment of low-risk thyroid cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Multiple different staging systems have been introduced and used for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). AREAS COVERED: In this literature review we provide an overview of the standard options for management of patients with low risk differentiated thyroid cancer. EXPERT OPINION: Surgery is considered the first and most important step in managing DTC with goal to remove all the malignant foci in order to achieve cure and increase the survival with least chance of recurrence. Many studies have been conducted to determine the best surgical approaches and how aggressive surgeries should be in order to achieve the best outcomes regarding efficacy as well as safety. Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy has also been a part of the treatment regimen and is used for different purposes with three main goals: post-surgical ablation, adjuvant therapy and persisted/recurrent disease treatment. Radiation therapy, on the other hand, is still not recommended to be used routinely in DTC because of the conflicting data of its benefit.