Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Less aggressive treatment options, including hemithyroidectomy and active surveillance, have been accepted as treatment options for low-risk small, differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Multiple studies have shown a low rate of cancer growth and lymph node metastases and no evidence of distant metastases during active surveillance of low-risk small DTC. However, not all patients with low -risk small DTC are ideal or appropriate candidate for active surveillance. Patients with thyroid cancer adjacent to either the trachea or recurrent laryngeal nerve or those with evidence of extrathyroidal extension, a high-risk molecular profile, lymph node, or distant metastases are considered inappropriate candidates for active surveillance. In addition, there are other essential factors that clinicians should consider while recommending active surveillance, including patient financial and insurance status; availability of high-quality neck ultrasounds and experienced radiologists, endocrinologists, and surgeons; and patient preference, level of anxiety, and willingness to undergo prolonged surveillance and follow-up imaging.