Active surveillance of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma:implement and perplexity

VernacularTitle:甲状腺乳头状微小癌的积极监测:实施与困惑
Author: Xiaoqiu CHU ¹ ; Shuhang XU ; Chao LIU ; Shong-Young KEE
Author Information

1. 南京中医药大学附属中西医结合医院(江苏省中医药研究院)内分泌科 210028
Keywords: Thyroid neoplasm; Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma; Active surveillance
From: Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2019;35(4):269-275
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Active surveillance ( AS ) is now regarded as an alternative strategy of treatment for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma ( PTMC) . Most cases of newly diagnosed thyroid cancer are small indolent microcarcinoma and could be good candidates for AS instead of immediate surgery. Many considerations must be taken into account for establishing selection criteria suitable for AS of PTMC, including the characteristics of the tumor, the patient, and the medical team. If possible, AS of PTMC should be a part of a prospective clinical trial to ensure long-term safety and to identify clinical and ( or) molecular markers of the progression of PTMC. In this review, we discuss lessons regarding surgical interventions for PTMC, and then describe the concept, application, caveats, unanswered questions, and future perspectives of AS for PTMC. For appropriately selected patients with PTMC, AS can be a good alternative to immediate surgery.