Ablation therapy using a low dose of radioiodine may be sufficient in low- to intermediate-risk patients with follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma.

TitleAblation therapy using a low dose of radioiodine may be sufficient in low- to intermediate-risk patients with follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsLi F, Li W, Gray KD, Zarnegar R, Wang D, Fahey TJ
JournalJ Int Med Res
Volume48
Issue11
Pagination300060520966491
Date Published2020 Nov
ISSN1473-2300
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is treated similarly to classical variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (cPTC). However, FVPTC has unique tumour features and behaviours. We investigated whether a low dose of radioiodine was as effective as a high dose for remnant ablation in patients with FVPTC and evaluated the recurrence of low-intermediate risk FVPTC.

METHODS: Data from cPTC and FVPTC patients treated with I-131 from 2004 to 2014 were reviewed. Demographics, tumour behaviour, lymph node metastasis, and local recurrence data were compared between FVPTC and cPTC patients. Then, low-intermediate risk FVPTC patients were divided into low, intermediate, and high I-131 dose groups, and postoperative I-131 activities were analysed to evaluate the effectiveness of I-131 therapy for thyroid remnant ablation.

RESULTS: In total, 799 cases of FVPTC (n = 168) and cPTC (n = 631) treated with I-131 were identified. Patients with FVPTC had a larger primary nodule size than cPTC, but lymph node metastases and local recurrence were more prevalent in cPTC than in FVPTC. For the low-, intermediate-, and high-dose groups, success rates of ablation did not differ (82.0%, 80%, and 81.3%, respectively).

CONCLUSION: FVPTC differs from cPTC in behaviour. Low-dose ablation may be sufficient in FVPTC patients with low-intermediate disease risk.

DOI10.1177/0300060520966491
Alternate JournalJ Int Med Res
PubMed ID33213252
PubMed Central IDPMC7683922