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Radioiodine remnant ablation in low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer: the “con” point of view

  • Pros and Cons in Endocrine Practice
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Abstract

A growing body of evidence is challenging the indiscriminate use of postoperative radioiodine for remnant ablation (RRA) in low-risk (LR) differentiated thyroid cancer patients. We critically reviewed the current evidence on which the rationale for RRA is based for LR patients and analyzed the new evidence-based recommendations for LR patients from the draft of the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines. Cost-effective tools for staging and follow-up, such as neck ultrasonography and serial thyroglobulin testing, are useful for monitoring non-RRA-treated patients. Recurrence rates are very low in non-RRA-treated LR patient cohorts. Most RRA side effects are mild and transient, but can impair a patient’s quality of life. RRA is appropriately not routinely recommended in LR patients according to the draft 2015 ATA guidelines and should be reserved for higher-risk patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Rome Sapienza, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy

    Livia Lamartina

  2. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA

    David S. Cooper

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  1. Livia Lamartina
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Correspondence to Livia Lamartina.

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Lamartina, L., Cooper, D.S. Radioiodine remnant ablation in low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer: the “con” point of view. Endocrine 50, 67–71 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-014-0523-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-014-0523-4

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