[Follow-up of high-risk patients with differentiated thyroid cancer without persistent disease after initial therapy]. / Seguimento de pacientes de alto risco com carcinoma diferenciado de tireóide sem doença persistente após a terapia inicial.

This study evaluated the follow-up of high-risk patients with thyroid cancer after initial therapy. A total of 125 high-risk patients (tumor >4 cm and/or extrathyroid invasion and/or lymph node metastases, and age >45 years), with complete resection of the tumor, were selected. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and ablation with (131)I[3.7-5.5 GBq (100-150 mCi)]. Eighteen patients (14.8%) presenting metastases on post-dose whole-body scan (RxWBS) were excluded. The negative predictive value of stimulated Tg < or =1 ng/ml in combination with neck US during first assessment (612 mo. after ablative therapy) was 96.2% for the absence of recurrence up to 5 years. This value increased to 98.7% when adding WBS performed with 185 MBq (5 mCi) (131)I (DxWBS). The positive predictive value (PPV) of stimulated Tg >1 ng/ml was 52% for the detection of the presence of metastases up to 5 years; however, considering only patients with initially negative DxWBS and US, the PPV was 19% (9% if Tg of 110 ng/ml vs. 40% if Tg >10 ng/ml). Tg levels decreased spontaneously in patients with stimulated Tg >1 ng/ml during first assessment, negative US and DxWBS, and no recurrence during follow-up, with Tg being undetectable in half these patients at the end of 5 years. Twenty patients presented uptake in the thyroid bed upon DxWBS during the first year after ablative therapy, with stimulated Tg and US being negative, and were not treated with 131I; these patients did not relapse and no uptake on DxWBS was observed in 60% after 5 years. Recurrence after 5 years was only 1.3% in patients without apparent disease (negative US and DxWBS) and stimulated Tg <1 ng/ml. An algorithm for the follow-up of high-risk patients after initial therapy is presented in this study.

Malformations in the offspring of women with thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine for the ablation of thyroid remnants.

RATIONALE: Since ovarian function is only temporarily compromised by radioiodine therapy, many women with thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine can become pregnant. The present study evaluated the evolution of these pregnancies and the consequences for the offspring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 78 pregnancies of 66 women submitted to total thyroidectomy, followed by radioiodine therapy 3.75-5.5 GBq (131)I, mean 4.64 GBq). In all patients, conception occurred one year after ablative therapy (mean of 30 months). Age ranged form 19 to 36 years (mean of 30.6 years) at the time of radioiodine treatment and from 23 to 39 years (mean of 32.8 years) at the time of conception. RESULTS: Four (5.1%) of the 78 pregnancies resulted in spontaneous abortions. Three (4%) of the 74 deliveries were preterm and there was no case of stillbirth. The birthweight was > 2500 g in 94.6% of the children (+/- SD: 3350 +/- 450 g) and only one infant (1.3%) presented an apparent malformation at birth (intraventricular communication). No difference in the age at the time of radioiodine therapy or conception or in radioiodine dose was observed between pregnancies with an unfavorable outcome and those with a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: We conclude that pregnancies that occur 12 months after ablative therapy are safe.

Seguimento de pacientes de alto risco com carcinoma diferenciado de tireóide sem doença persistente após a terapia inicial / Follow-up of high-risk patients with differentiated thyroid cancer without persistent disease after initial therapy / Follow-up of high-risk patients with differentiated thyroid cancer without persistent disease after initial therapy

Este estudo avaliou o seguimento de pacientes com câncer de tireóide de alto risco, após a terapia inicial. Foram selecionados 125 pacientes de alto risco (tumor >4 cm e/ou invasão extra-tireoidiana e/ou metástases linfonodais e idade >45 anos), com ressecção tumoral completa. Todos foram tratados com tireoidectomia total e ablação com 131I [3,7­5,5 GBq (100­150 mCi)] e foram excluídos 18 casos (14,8 por cento) com metástases na PCI pós-dose (t-PCI). O valor preditivo negativo da Tg estimulada <1 ng/ml combinada ao US cervical na primeira avaliação (6­12 meses após a terapia ablativa) foi de 96,2 por cento para ausência de recidivas em até 5 anos. Este valor aumentou para 98,7 por cento quando acrescentamos a PCI com 185 MBq (5 mCi) 131I (d-PCI). O valor preditivo positivo (VPP) da Tg estimulada >1 ng/ml foi de 52 por cento para presença de metástases detectadas até 5 anos depois, mas considerando apenas pacientes que apresentaram d-PCI e US negativos inicialmente, o VPP foi 19 por cento (9 por cento se Tg 1­10 ng/ml vs. 40 por cento se Tg >10 ng/ml). Tg reduziu espontaneamente nos pacientes com Tg estimulada >1 ng/ml na primeira avaliação, US e d-PCI negativos e sem recidiva no seguimento, sendo indetectável em metade destes ao final de 5 anos. No primeiro ano após a terapia ablativa, 20 pacientes tiveram captação em leito tireoidiano na d-PCI com Tg estimulada e US negativos e não foram tratados com 131I; estes evoluíram sem recidiva e 60 por cento apresentavam uma d-PCI sem nenhuma captação após 5 anos. Em pacientes sem doença aparente (no US e d-PCI) e Tg estimulada <1 ng/ml, a recidiva em 5 anos foi de apenas 1,3 por cento. Um algoritmo para o seguimento de pacientes de alto risco após a terapia inicial é apresentado por este estudo.

This study evaluated the follow-up of high-risk patients with thyroid cancer after initial therapy. A total of 125 high-risk patients (tumor >4 cm and/or extrathyroid invasion and/or lymph node metastases, and age >45 years), with complete resection of the tumor, were selected. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and ablation with 131I [3.7­5.5 GBq (100-150 mCi)]. Eighteen patients (14.8 percent) presenting metastases on post-dose whole-body scan (RxWBS) were excluded. The negative predictive value of stimulated Tg <1 ng/ml in combination with neck US during first assessment (6­12 mo. after ablative therapy) was 96.2 percent for the absence of recurrence up to 5 years. This value increased to 98.7 percent when adding WBS performed with 185 MBq (5 mCi) 131I (DxWBS). The positive predictive value (PPV) of stimulated Tg >1 ng/ml was 52 percent for the detection of the presence of metastases up to 5 years; however, considering only patients with initially negative DxWBS and US, the PPV was 19 percent (9 percent if Tg of 1­10 ng/ml vs. 40 percent if Tg >10 ng/ml). Tg levels decreased spontaneously in patients with stimulated Tg >1 ng/ml during first assessment, negative US and DxWBS, and no recurrence during follow-up, with Tg being undetectable in half these patients at the end of 5 years. Twenty patients presented uptake in the thyroid bed upon DxWBS during the first year after ablative therapy, with stimulated Tg and US being negative, and were not treated with 131I; these patients did not relapse and no uptake on DxWBS was observed in 60 percent after 5 years. Recurrence after 5 years was only 1.3 percent in patients without apparent disease (negative US and DxWBS) and stimulated Tg <1 ng/ml. An algorithm for the follow-up of high-risk patients after initial therapy is presented in this study.

Malformations in the offspring of women with thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine for the ablation of thyroid remnants / Malformações na prole de mulheres com câncer de tireóide tratadas com radioiodo para ablação de remanescentes tireoideanos

RATIONALE: Since ovarian function is only temporarily compromised by radioiodine therapy, many women with thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine can become pregnant. The present study evaluated the evolution of these pregnancies and the consequences for the offspring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 78 pregnancies of 66 women submitted to total thyroidectomy, followed by radioiodine therapy (3.7­5.5 GBq 131I, mean 4.64 GBq). In all patients, conception occurred one year after ablative therapy (mean of 30 months). Age ranged form 19 to 36 years (mean of 30.6 years) at the time of radioiodine treatment and from 23 to 39 years (mean of 32.8 years) at the time of conception. RESULTS: Four (5.1 percent) of the 78 pregnancies resulted in spontaneous abortions. Three (4 percent) of the 74 deliveries were preterm and there was no case of stillbirth. The birthweight was > 2500 g in 94.6 percent of the children (mean ± SD: 3350 ± 450 g) and only one infant (1.3 percent) presented an apparent malformation at birth (intraventricular communication). No difference in the age at the time of radioiodine therapy or conception or in radioiodine dose was observed between pregnancies with an unfavorable outcome and those with a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: We conclude that pregnancies that occur 12 months after ablative therapy are safe.

ARRAZOADO: Uma vez que a função ovariana está apenas temporariamente comprometida pela terapia com radioiodo, muitas mulheres com câncer de tireóide tratadas com radioiodo podem engravidar. O presente estudo avaliou a evolução dessas gravidezes e suas conseqüências para a prole. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Analisamos retrospectivamente 78 gravidezes de 66 mulheres submetidas a tiroidectomia total seguida de radioiodoterapia (3,7­5,5 GBq 131I, média 4,64 GBq). Em todas, a concepção ocorreu um ano após a terapia ablativa (média de 30 meses). A idade variou de 19 a 36 anos (media de 30,6) à época do tratamento com radioiodo e de 23 a 39 anos (média de 32,8) na época da concepção. RESULTADOS: Quatro (5,1 por cento) das 78 gravidezes resultaram em abortamento espontâneo. Três (4 por cento) dos 74 partos foram pré-termo, mas não houve nenhum natimorto. O peso ao nascer foi >2.500 g em 94,6 por cento das crianças (média ± DP: 3.350 ± 450 g) e somente uma delas (1,3 por cento) apresentou uma malformação aparente ao nascimento (comunicação intraventricular). Nenhuma diferença quanto à idade na época da radioiodoterapia ou na concepção ou na dose de radioiodo foi observada entre as gravidezes com ou sem um desfecho favorável. CONCLUSÃO: Gravidezes que ocorrem 12 meses após terapia ablativa com radioiodo são seguras.