Matthias Büttner1,2, Harald Rimmele3, Beate Bartès4, Susanne Singer5,6, Markus Luster7. 1. Division of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Straße 69, 55131, Mainz, Germany. matbuett@uni-mainz.de. 2. University Cancer Centre, Mainz, Germany. matbuett@uni-mainz.de. 3. Bundesverband Schilddrüsenkrebs-Ohne Schilddrüse leben e.V, Berlin, Germany. 4. Vivre sans Thyroïde, Léguevin, France. 5. Division of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Straße 69, 55131, Mainz, Germany. 6. University Cancer Centre, Mainz, Germany. 7. Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Various national and international guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer exist. The aim of this survey was to evaluate whether patients experience differences regarding the management of thyroid cancer in Germany and in France. METHODS: An online survey addressing diagnosis, treatment, aftercare, and information needs of thyroid cancer survivors was set up by the German and the French nationwide thyroid cancer self-help organizations. The survey consisted of up to 70 questions depending on the given answers. Descriptive statistics and univariate comparisons, if appropriate, for comparing thyroid cancer survivors in Germany and France were performed. RESULTS: In total, 1254 thyroid cancer survivors took part in the survey, of whom 1005 were included in the analysis, 618 from Germany and 387 from France. Remarkable differences between the two countries were observed regarding waiting times, diagnostics, surgical complications, radioiodine treatment, and aftercare of the patients. A high disease burden and lack of information regarding the condition and its treatment were reported in both countries. CONCLUSION: This large survey showed that despite various guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer, thyroid cancer survivors' experiences are noticeably different between two big European countries. Lack of information and unmet needs are still tasks to be addressed in order to optimize thyroid cancer care.
OBJECTIVE: Various national and international guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer exist. The aim of this survey was to evaluate whether patients experience differences regarding the management of thyroid cancer in Germany and in France. METHODS: An online survey addressing diagnosis, treatment, aftercare, and information needs of thyroid cancer survivors was set up by the German and the French nationwide thyroid cancer self-help organizations. The survey consisted of up to 70 questions depending on the given answers. Descriptive statistics and univariate comparisons, if appropriate, for comparing thyroid cancer survivors in Germany and France were performed. RESULTS: In total, 1254 thyroid cancer survivors took part in the survey, of whom 1005 were included in the analysis, 618 from Germany and 387 from France. Remarkable differences between the two countries were observed regarding waiting times, diagnostics, surgical complications, radioiodine treatment, and aftercare of the patients. A high disease burden and lack of information regarding the condition and its treatment were reported in both countries. CONCLUSION: This large survey showed that despite various guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer, thyroid cancer survivors' experiences are noticeably different between two big European countries. Lack of information and unmet needs are still tasks to be addressed in order to optimize thyroid cancer care.
Entities:
Keywords:
Germany France; Management; Thyroid cancer
Authors: J Ferlay; E Steliarova-Foucher; J Lortet-Tieulent; S Rosso; J W W Coebergh; H Comber; D Forman; F Bray Journal: Eur J Cancer Date: 2013-02-26 Impact factor: 9.162
Authors: M Colonna; A V Guizard; C Schvartz; M Velten; N Raverdy; F Molinie; P Delafosse; B Franc; P Grosclaude Journal: Eur J Cancer Date: 2007-02-07 Impact factor: 9.162
Authors: William D T Kent; Stephen F Hall; Phillip A Isotalo; Robyn L Houlden; Ralph L George; Patti A Groome Journal: CMAJ Date: 2007-11-20 Impact factor: 8.262