Active Surveillance of Thyroid Microcarcinoma-Can This Approach Be Safely Implemented Worldwide?

Rena Pollack; Haggi Mazeh

doi:10.1016/j.jss.2020.08.061

Active Surveillance of Thyroid Microcarcinoma-Can This Approach Be Safely Implemented Worldwide?

J Surg Res. 2021 Feb:258:145-152. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.08.061. Epub 2020 Sep 30.

Authors

Rena Pollack¹, Haggi Mazeh²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. Electronic address: rpollack@hadassah.org.il.
² Department of Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

PMID: 33010560
DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.08.061

Abstract

The incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing exponentially worldwide, mainly due to increased detection of small papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs). Given the indolent nature of the disease, active surveillance (AS) has been suggested as an alternative approach to immediate surgery in the management of low-risk PTMCs. The decision to proceed with AS must take into account patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, and medical team characteristics. In this review, we discuss the rationale and evidence to support AS, as well as important considerations and limitations to implementing this approach for PTMC worldwide.

Keywords: Active surveillance; Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma; Thyroid cancer.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Papillary*
Humans
Thyroid Neoplasms*
Watchful Waiting*

Supplementary concepts

Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma