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Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology

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01-11-2019 | Metastasis | Review – Clinical Oncology

Active surveillance of low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: a promising strategy requiring additional evidence

Authors: Yuyang Ze, Xiaowen Zhang, Fei Shao, Lin Zhu, Shanmei Shen, Dalong Zhu, Yan Bi

Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology | Issue 11/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the most common malignant tumor of the thyroid, has been criticized as overtreated by some researchers in recent years. Active surveillance (AS) was first proposed at Kuma Hospital in 1993, and popularized in other institutes ever since. We provide a brief review of low-risk PTC active monitoring studies to date, and discuss the advantages of AS and limitations of existing studies.

Results

Most papillary thyroid microcarcinomas do not show significant growth or new lymph node metastasis in a 10-year AS period. Patients who undergo delayed surgery during AS generally have a good prognosis. Tumor progression correlates with age, calcification pattern, and Ki-67 positivity. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone concentration and pregnancy might also influence tumor progression in some studies.

Conclusion

Active surveillance for low-risk PTC has shown its safety and feasibility in certain populations. In the future, it is warranted to determine valuable tumor progression predictors and most suitable PTC patients for AS.

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Title: Active surveillance of low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: a promising strategy requiring additional evidence
Authors: Yuyang Ze
Xiaowen Zhang
Fei Shao
Lin Zhu
Shanmei Shen
Dalong Zhu
Yan Bi
Publication date: 01-11-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Metastasis
Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology / Issue 11/2019
Print ISSN: 0171-5216
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1335
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-019-03021-y

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