Optimal Thyrotropin Suppression Therapy in Low-Risk Thyroid Cancer Patients after Lobectomy

Background: Lobectomy with preservation of the contralateral lobe has already become the most preferred surgical method for patients with low-risk thyroid cancer. The incidence of and risk factors for the development of hypothyroidism after lobectomy for thyroid cancer remains unclear. The previous practice of levothyroxine supplementation post-thyroidectomy, to bring about thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression, had some serious side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of hypothyroidism and to identify the factors associated with hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 256 consecutive patients with differentiated thyroid cancer treated with lobectomy at the Gangnam Severance Hospital between April and December 2014 who were followed-up for more than 5 years. Patients were evaluated using a thyroid function test at the time of outpatient visit every 6 months for the 1st year, with an annual follow-up thereafter. Results: After 5 years, 66.0% (169) of the patients needed levothyroxine supplementation to maintain euthyroid status. The incidence of hypothyroidism requiring levothyroxine supplementation increased until 3 years but showed no significant change in the 4 and 5th year. Recurrence showed no difference between the group with and without levothyroxine supplementation. The presence of thyroiditis and preoperative TSH levels were correlated with postoperative levothyroxine supplementation to maintain euthyroid status, in univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusion: High preoperative TSH levels and/or thyroiditis indicate a significantly increased likelihood of developing hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone supplementation after a thyroid lobectomy. Patients with an increased risk of postoperative hypothyroidism must be aware of their risk factors and should undergo more intensive follow-ups.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Thyroid Hormone Supplementation Therapy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer After Lobectomy: 5 Years of Follow-Up

Kim

et al. 2020

“…Kim et al (39) showed that for low-risk PTC patients undergoing unilateral lobectomy, 34% did not need hormone replacement therapy and the remaining 66% used levothyroxine to maintain normal (rather than suppressed) TSH levels (0.86-4.69 mcIU/mL); after 5-year follow-up, recurrence was only detected in 1% of the patients. Similarly, Lee et al (40) found that even for those who received TSH suppression therapy, 53.2% successfully stopped using levothyroxine when they maintained euthyroid status and only 0.3% of the patients had recurrence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Should Contralateral Nodules Be an Indication of Total or Completion Thyroidectomy for Patients With Unilateral Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma?

Wang

Liu

et al. 2021

ObjectiveTo determine whether papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with benign or nonsuspicious nodules in the contralateral lobe have a higher rate of recurrence or worse survival after lobectomy compared to those without nodules in the contralateral lobe.MethodsAdult patients who underwent lobectomy and were diagnosed with unilateral PTC (2013-2015), were identified from an institutional database. Patients who previously had cytologically benign nodules or nonsuspicious nodules in the contralateral lobe comprised the contralateral nodule (CN) group. Patients who did not have nodules in the contralateral lobe comprised the unilateral nodule (UN) group.Results370 patients were included: 242 in the UN group and 128 in the CN group. After a median follow-up of 62 months (range, 16–85 months), recurrence was confirmed in 4.1% patients in the UN group and 5.5% patients in the CN group (p = 0.559). Clinical contralateral lobe PTC was detected in 2.9% (7/242) of patients from the UN group and 3.9% (5/128) of patients from the CN group (p = 0.601). The 5-year contralateral lobe recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 96.8% in the UN group and 97.4% in the CN group (p = 0.396). The 5-year loco-regional RFS rates were 98.4% in the UN group and 97.8% in the CN group (p = 0.690). The 5-year disease-specific survival rates were both 100%.ConclusionPTC patients with benign or nonsuspicious CNs have similar recurrence and survival rates after lobectomy compared to those without CNs. CNs alone should not be an indication for total or completion thyroidectomy.

“…No guidelines ( 3 , 4 ) providing a clear recommendation for the follow-up time of postoperative thyroid function are available. Many institutions provide hormone therapy to patients immediately after surgery, which may not be helpful for the recovery of thyroid function ( 18 ). In this study, the third month was the peak time of thyroid function recovery.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Recovery of Thyroid Function in Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer After Lobectomy: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study

Dou

Chen

et al. 2021

PurposeManagement strategies after lobectomy for low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are controversial. This study aimed to identify the proportion of patients among low-risk PTC patients who do not require hormone replacement therapy and to evaluate the risk factors for postoperative hypothyroidism after lobectomy.Patients and MethodsThe records of 190 PTC patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy from January 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathological characteristics and follow-up data were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors associated with postoperative hypothyroidism and the recovery of thyroid function.ResultsIn summary, 74.21% of patients (141/190) had normal thyroid function without levothyroxine supplementation, while 40.53% (77/190) developed temporary or permanent hypothyroidism. Multivariate analysis indicated that higher preoperative thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (>2.62 mIU/L), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), and right lobectomy were associated with hypothyroidism (all P<0.05). The Area Under Curve (AUC) by logistic analysis was 0.829. Twenty-eight (28/77, 36.4%) patients recovered to the euthyroid state in the first year after surgery, and this recovery was significantly associated with preoperative TSH level. Forty-nine (49/77, 63.6%) patients developed persistent hypothyroidism. The thyroid function of most patients (11/28, 39.3%) recovered in the third month after surgery.ConclusionPatients with a lower level of preoperative TSH, with left lobectomy and without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis had a higher chance of normal thyroid function within the first year after lobectomy. The recovery of thyroid function was associated with the level of preoperative TSH.