View clinical trials related to Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules.
Filter by:Thyroid carcinoma (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy, affecting 0.2-1.5% of individuals worldwide. The rising incidence rate of TC is mostly related to the expanding use of high-quality imaging techniques, with an increase in the detection of thyroid nodules. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is the most accurate, rapid, safe, and cost-effective test for the evaluation of thyroid nodules, with high specificity and sensitivity. Nevertheless, FNAC is particularly unreliable in differentiating between benign and malignant nodules that fall under the category of indeterminate thyroid nodules (class III and class IV according to Bethesda Classification[2]). In fact, in these cases, the expected malignancy rates are 5-15% and 15-30%, respectively. Thus, most patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules undergo an operation that is indeed unnecessary, while representing a risk for surgical complications and a cost for health-care systems. We aim to evaluate different approaches to indeterminate nodules across different countries in the world.
When a patient presents with a thyroid mass, part of the work-up may include a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). The results of the biopsy then help plan treatment. If the results are benign, the management will typically be to follow the nodule. If the results demonstrate or are suspicious for cancer, such as papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the treatment is a total thyroidectomy (total thyroid removal). The latest American thyroid association guidelines for PTC (2009) suggest that in many instances a central lymph node dissection (CLND) should be performed in conjunction with the total thyroidectomy. This procedure consists of removing the lymphatic (glandular) tissues surrounding the thyroid itself, as this tissue may have a propensity for cancer spread. The procedure's necessity has met much controversy in the last decade, but is becoming more of a standard in thyroid cancer surgery. When a thyroid nodule FNAB is reported as indeterminate, the treatment strategy is less clear cut. While a diagnostic hemi-thyroidectomy or therapeutic total thyroidectomy may be in order, the inclusion of CLND is not clearly defined. In many centers a CLND will be omitted with surgical management for an "indeterminate" lesion, while in others, it is standard protocol. The argument of performing CLND is largely based on the tenet that it adds little surgical time, cost or risks to the patient. Because the evidence of the prognostic role of lymph node metastases is limited many would argue that the risk of not performing CLND is greater than performing CLND. Furthermore, in the event of finding cancer on final pathology, and thus, having to re-operate in the thyroid/central compartment bed, post-operative complications may increase. Opponents of CLND argue that there is a paucity of strong evidence supporting CLND in the improvement of oncologic outcomes and can potentially increase post-operative low calcium levels or vocal nerve damage However, these recommendations are based on retrospective level III evidence. Thus the debate continues: is CLND justified as an adjunct to hemi-or total thyroidectomy in indeterminate thyroid pathology? The hypothesis is: CLND in hem- or total thyroidectomy for "indeterminate" thyroid nodules will not increase post-operative complications.