Monday, September 05, 2016

Study raises concerns over unnecessary imaging after thyroid cancer

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-07/b-src072016.php

Public Release: 20-Jul-2016
Study raises concerns over unnecessary imaging after thyroid cancer
Increased imaging after initial treatment does not necessarily equal better care
BMJ

A marked rise in use of imaging tests after thyroid cancer has been associated with increased treatment for recurrence, but no clear improvement in survival from the disease, finds a study in The BMJ today.

These findings highlight the importance of curbing unnecessary imaging and tailoring imaging after treatment to patient risk, say the researchers.

Over the past two decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer has risen; most of which can be explained by diagnoses of small, low risk cancers. During this same period, the use of imaging after initial treatment has also increased - most likely due to growing concern about the risk of recurrence.

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Use of neck ultrasounds, radioiodine scans, and PET scans were associated with additional treatment for recurrence, such as surgery, radioactive iodine treatment or radiation therapy. Only the use of radioiodine scans was associated with improved survival from thyroid cancer.

This is an observational study, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect and the authors point to several limitations. However, they say it is not clear if the benefits of greater imaging outweigh the financial costs, heightened patient anxiety, and risk of patient harm from the treatment for recurrence.

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