SummaryBackground The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic factors of long-term survival and optimal therapeutic protocol for patients with distant metastasis secondary to differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Methods A retrospective review of 1665 patients with DTC treated at a regional tertiary hospital in Taiwan between 1986 and 2010 was performed. Among them, 207 patients were found to have distant metastasis. For a long-term outcome survey, 126 patients that had received at least 5 years (mean 9AE6 ± 5AE2 years) of follow-up after the diagnosis of distant metastasis were analysed for this study. Prognostic factor analysis included age, sex, histology, disease stage, type of surgical procedure, site of metastatic foci, 131 I

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive management strategy which has been widely applied on thyroid benign and recurrent malignant lesions as an alternative to surgery in Taiwan. Experts from the academies associated with interventional radiology, endocrinology, and endocrine surgeons collaborated to develop the first consensus regarding thyroid RFA in Taiwan.The modified Delphi method was used to reach a consensus. By comprehensive review of recent and valuable literature and expert opinions, the recommendations included indications, pre-procedural evaluations, procedural techniques, post-procedural monitoring, efficacy, and safety, providing a comprehensive review of the application of RFA. The consensus effectively consolidates advice regarding thyroid RFA in clinical practice for local experts.