Background and Objectives: Following the initial management, some patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) develop a state of high thyroglobulin (Tg) and Negative Iodine Scintigraphy. The predisposing factors and outcome of this condition are unclear. In this study, our objectives were to analyze the characteristics of patients with high Tg level and negative Iodine scintigraphy and to determine the predictive factors for development of high Tg and negative scintigraphy. Patients and Methods: Retrospective study of 34 patients undergoing treatment for DTC, followed in the Nuclear Medicine department of the University Hospital-Sahloul Sousse between 1990 and 2006 and having a high Tg and negative Iodine scintigraphy. Fourteen patients had Tg between 2 and 10 ng/ml, 16 had Tg between 11 and 100 ng/ml and 4 patients had Tg more than 100 ng/ml. Results: There were 25 women and 9 men. The mean age was 51.65 years. In 94.1% of cases, the tumor was papillary carcinoma. Follicular tumors accounted for only 5.9%. The mean nodule size was 3.26 cm. Capsular invasion was seen in 47.1% cases. The locoregional invasion was found in 35.3%. The lymph node extension was found in 84.8% of patients having lymph node surgery. Lymph node involvement was observed in 92.8% of patients with papillary cancer but it was found in 7.2% of patients with follicular cancers. Lymph node invasion was unilateral in 28.6% (N1a) and bilateral, contralateral or mediastinal in 71.4% (N1b). Initial level of Tg was as follows: 7 patients had Tg between 2 and 10 ng/ml, 14 patients had Tg between 11 and 100 ng/ml and 12 had Tg more than 100 ng/ml. The mean number of radioactive Iodine cure was 11.08 for patients with Tg more than 100 ng/ml with a significant difference (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Among epidemiological, pathological and clinical characteristics, lymph node invasion is the most frequent parameter found in patients with a DTC with high Tg level and nega-R. Sfar et al. 150tive Iodine scintigraphy.

Purpose Colon cancer survivors can experience several post-treatment consequences that include fatigue and often report severe psychological illnesses such as depression or anxiety. There is little published quantitative data on the quality of life and psychological well-being associated with the health of Tunisian colon cancer survivors. Methods A total of 60 recovering colon cancer patients underwent a structured interview, which included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) scale, the Piper fatigue scale and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results Patients were 59.26 years old on average. The median length of remission was 33.3 months. Surgery was performed on all patients, followed by 96.7% adjuvant chemotherapy. 15.1% of study participants were in the severe category for the depression score and 10% were in this category for the anxiety score. Ninety-one percent reported pathological fatigue scores on the Piper scale. However, only 8.33% were experiencing severe fatigue. According to the QLQ-C30 assessment, the overall quality of life was slightly impaired with an overall average score of 79.54 ± 16.98. Anxiety, depression and fatigue negatively affect global health outcomes and all their dimensions. Conclusion Even in the recovery phase, colon cancer patients can see their quality of life deteriorate. It comes out of their psychological experience and their physical life. It is, therefore, crucial to provide greater attention to these patients for holistic and multi-disciplinary care.

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