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Endocrine Abstracts (2023) 90 P257 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.90.P257

ECE2023 Poster Presentations Thyroid (163 abstracts)

Fear of recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer in patients in remission

Abdel Mouhaymen MissaouI 1 , Fatma Hamza 2 , Siddiqa Soomauroo 1 , Khawla Ben Ahmed 2 , Wafa Belabed 1 & Mohamed Abid 1


1Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Sfax, Tunisia; 2Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sfax, Tunisia


Objective: to evaluate the fear of recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in patients in complete remission.

Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional study of 41 patients in complete remission after treatment of DTC, followed up at the Nuclear Medicine Centre of Sfax, Tunisia. The evaluation was based on the administration of a shortened version of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI-SF) to all patients (maximum score 36 points)

Results: The mean age of the patients interviewed was 45.4±13.4 years with a predominance of females (92.7%). The majority had papillary carcinoma (87.8%), more rarely vesicular carcinoma (12.2%). Initial metastases were reported in 9.8% of cases. Thus, 21.9% of carcinomas were classified as high risk. The mean cumulative ablative dose of iodine-131 was 265.9±197 mCi. The mean disease-free survival was 5.1±3.9 years. The FCRI score was 10.9±8 points with extremes ranging from 0 to 26 points. A significant fear of recurrence was noted in 10.8% of the patients surveyed. Concerns about DTC relapse were ‘ unclear ‘ for 18.9%. The majority of patients were no longer worried about the relapse (70.3%). Factors associated with a significant fear of recurrence were vesicular type (OR=0.16; P=0.028) and histological evidence of angioinvasion (OR=0.12; P=0.022).

Discussion: The fear of recurrence in DTC is significantly lower than that observed in other cancers (breast=60%, colorectal=38%). A collaborative therapeutic approach including the patient and his relatives helps to reassure patients about the good prognosis of DTC.

Volume 90

25th European Congress of Endocrinology

Istanbul, Turkey
13 May 2023 - 16 May 2023

European Society of Endocrinology 

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