Risk of malignancy in thyroid incidentalomas identified by fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography

Incidental thyroid “PETomas”: clinical significance and novel description of the self-resolving variant of focal FDG-PET thyroid uptake

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] In contrast, diffuse, bilateral FDG-PET uptake is usually associated with benign disease (Table 3) In the current study, the prevalence of cancer was 30% (9/30) for those in whom a confirmed cytologic or histologic diagnosis was obtained via FNAC or surgery, and this incidence was similar to that reported by others. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The overall incidence of cancer in the current series was relatively low at 8.7% (9 of 103). Because more than half of the patients with PETomas (53 of 103) did not undergo further evaluation with either ultrasonography, FNAC or surgery, the true prevalence of cancer is arguably underestimated.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Moreover, the prevalence of malignancy within these PETomas is remarkably high at 14%-56%. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] In contrast, diffuse, bilateral FDG-PET uptake is usually associated with benign disease (Table 3) In the current study, the prevalence of cancer was 30% (9/30) for those in whom a confirmed cytologic or histologic diagnosis was obtained via FNAC or surgery, and this incidence was similar to that reported by others. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The overall incidence of cancer in the current series was relatively low at 8.7% (9 of 103).…”

“…The overall reported incidence of FDG-PET thyroid PETomas varies from 1.1% to 4.0%, [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] whereas the prevalence of thyroid cancer in these series is remarkably high, ranging from 14% to 56%. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Adequate management of thyroid incidentalomas is not well established. Because most thyroid incidentalomas are small, observation is a reasonable option for patients with benign cytology and no obvious risk factors.…”

“…Several reports have described incidentally detected focal thyroid lesions on FDG-PET in patients with no history of thyroid pathology. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] We refer to these incidentalomas as "PETomas." The overall reported incidence of FDG-PET thyroid PETomas varies from 1.1% to 4.0%, [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] whereas the prevalence of thyroid cancer in these series is remarkably high, ranging from 14% to 56%.…”

The Significance and Management of Incidental [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose–Positron-Emission Tomography Uptake in the Thyroid Gland in Patients with Cancer

“…Several other retrospective studies have reported the incidence of incidentally identified thyroid lesions on FDG-PET to be 1.1% to 4.3%, with a risk for a malignant process ranging from 14% to 50%. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Although the incidence of these lesions is increasing, determining the most appropriate management represents a challenge for endocrinologists and head and neck surgeons. To date, no specific guidelines exist to define which lesions necessitate surgical management.…”