Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the detection of thyroid cancer (TC) and a number of thyroid surgeries. Both the ATA 2015 and 2022 Polish guidelines allow sparing treatment in low-risk TC, nevertheless, most patients are qualified for total thyroidectomy.

Material and method: The present study analyzed how often a TC patient opts for sparing treatment and the relationship between the size of the primary focus and risk factors on histopathological examination. The possibility of preoperative evaluation of low-risk cancer was attempted. The stage of the disease, the extent of surgery, and the occurrence of risk features on histopathological evaluation were determined.

Results: A group of 1000 TC patients diagnosed between 2019 and 2021 mainly with thyroid microcarcinoma and low-risk TC was analyzed. It was shown that there was a correlation between the diameter of the tumor infiltration on histopathological examination and the occurrence of risk features. A primary tumor size of 2 cm was defined as safe for qualification for thyroid lobectomy.

Conclusions: There is a limited willingness of low-risk TC patients to undergo lobectomy. It is therefore necessary to educate physicians and patients to convince them to undergo less extensive treatment in low-risk TC.