Treatment protocols and follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma: results of a questionnaire sent to the Spanish Metabolic Therapy Units

Objective

To know the treatment and follow-up protocols of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients in Spanish Metabolic Therapy Units, the clinical variability between them and the adaptation to the consensus guidelines.

Materials and methods

Analysis of the results obtained from the questionnaire submitted by E-mail to the Spanish Society of Nuclear Medicine (SEMNIM) members on the treatment and follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients. A descriptive study was made of the qualitative variables (frequency, percentage) and quantitative variables (mean, standard deviation).

Results

Twenty Radiometabolic Therapy Units responded to the questionnaire. In spite of the varied origin of the patients, the Units receive sufficient clinical information and have specialized surgeons. There is variability in the surgical protocols and indication for ablation in patients with intermediate and low risk of recurrence. The Units agree on the use of ¹³¹I doses for ablation and therapy, but show great variability regarding the preparation protocols (previous ¹³¹I-whole body scan or other imaging techniques, ¹³¹I-whole body scan dose, diet and radioiodine contrast prohibition, total dose per patient). Nuclear Medicine physicians perceive radioiodine adverse effects and prevention methods are used. The post-ablation follow-up protocol differs between Units.

Conclusions

Treatment and follow-up protocols of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients in the Spanish Radiometabolic Therapy Units show variability in aspects such as surgery and ablation indications, patient preparation for radioiodine therapy and follow-up. Our clinical practice differs in several aspects from the recent consensus guideline recommendations.