Will You Relapse After Papillary Thyroid Cancer?

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common form of thyroid cancer. Researchers in Italy looked at what factors might predict relapse among patients who had small (1.5 cm) papillary thyroid cancers. Among 299 patients studied over 26 years, all of of whom had near-total or total thyroidectomy, or lobectomy, 77 patients had a relapse. Among that group, in approximately half, the only sign was increased TSH-stimulated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels. Persistent/recurrent disease was more likely with those patients who had lymph node metastases upon diagnosis, and who had a tumor that was on both sides of the thyroid. The size of the tumor was not predictive of relapse. And one important predictor of no relapse was having a Tg level was below 1.0 ng/ml at the first postsurgical scan (with levothyroxine withdrawal). Overall, the researchers concluded that approximately one of four patients with a papillary thyroid cancer no more than 1.5 cm in size develops relapsing/persisting disease after surgery.

Source: Pellegriti, Gabriella. "Clinical Behavior and Outcome of Papillary Thyroid Cancers Smaller than 1.5 cm in Diameter: Study of 299 Cases," The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 89, No. 8 3713-3720, 2004