Radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules: prospective cost-effectiveness analysis in comparison to conventional thyroidectomy

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the total costs of surgery and radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. Materials and methods: This is a prospective randomized study comparing cases treated with US-guided RF ablation (cases) and surgery (control). They were selected and allocated to groups (thyroidectomy or radioablation) by permuted block randomization in blocks of five cases each. Results: Five cases of RF Ablation were compared with five cases of thyroidectomies conducted in the same period. Similar complication rates were observed in both groups. Shorter operating time and hospital stay were observed for the RF group. In the evaluation of the total cost between procedures, radioblation represented 76% of the cost of partial thyroidectomy. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that radioablation has a competitive cost, making it an effective alternative in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

Association between oral hygiene and head and neck cancer in Brazil / Associação entre higiene oral e câncer de cabeça e pescoço no Brasil

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Poor oral hygiene, regular use of mouthwash and absence of visits to the dentist could correspond to potential risk factors for the development of head and neck cancer. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether oral hygiene is associated with the occurrence of oral cavity and head and neck cancer in a Brazilian sample. Method: The variables of oral hygiene condition, such as toothbrushing frequency, dental loss, need and use of prosthesis, and regular visit to the dentist in a case-control study were analyzed in patients from five hospitals in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, paired by gender and age, from the multicenter project Genoma do Câncer de Cabeça e Pescoço (GENCAPO). Results: The most frequent malignancies in the 899 patients included were those of the tongue border (11.41%) and tongue base (10.92%). The multivariable statistical analysis found odds ratio values: Brushing once 0.33 (95%CI 0.25 - 0.44); Brushing twice 0.42 (95%CI 0.35 - 0.52); Flossing always 0.19 (95%CI 0.13 - 0.27); Flossing sometimes 0.19 (95%CI 0.15 - 0.24); Bleeding 2.40 (95%CI 1.40 - 4.09); Prosthesis 1.99 (95%CI 1.54 - 2.56); Visiting the dentist 0.29 (95%CI 0.22 - 0.37); Good hygiene 0.21 (95%CI 0.17 - 0.27); Regular hygiene 0.20 (95%CI 0.15 - 0.25); number of missing teeth (6 or more) 3.30 (95%CI 2.67 - 4.08). Conclusion: These data showed that, in the population studied, indicators of good hygiene such as brushing teeth and flossing were protective factors for mouth and head and neck cancer, while bleeding and many missing teeth were risk factors.

RESUMO: Introdução: Má higiene bucal, uso regular de enxaguante bucal e ausência de visitas ao dentista podem corresponder a potenciais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de câncer de cabeça e pescoço. Objetivo: Determinar se a higiene bucal está associada à ocorrência de câncer em cavidade oral e cabeça e pescoço em uma amostra brasileira. Método: O estudo caso controle analisou variáveis de higiene bucal, como frequência de escovação, perda dentária, necessidade e uso de prótese e visita regular ao dentista em pacientes de cinco hospitais do estado de São Paulo, pareados por sexo e idade, provenientes do projeto multicêntrico Genoma do Câncer de Cabeça e Pescoço (GENCAPO). Resultados: As neoplasias mais frequentes nos 899 pacientes incluídos foram: bordo de língua (11,41%) e base de língua (10,92%). A análise estatística múltipla encontrou os seguintes valores de odds ratio: escovar uma vez 0,33 (IC95% 0,25 - 0,44); escovar duas vezes 0,42 (IC95% 0,35 - 0,52); uso de fio dental sempre 0,19 (IC95% 0,13 - 0,27); uso de fio dental às vezes 0,19 (IC95% 0,15 - 0,24); sangramento 2,40 (IC95% 1,40 - 4,09); prótese 1,99 (IC95% 1,54 - 2,56), visita ao dentista 0,29 (IC95% 0,22 - 0,37); boa higiene 0,21 (IC95% 0,17 - 0,27); higiene regular 0,20 (IC95% 0,15 - 0,25); e número de dentes ausentes (6 ou mais) 3,30 (IC95% 2,67 - 4,08). Conclusões: Esses dados mostraram que, na população estudada, indicadores de boa higiene, como escovar os dentes e uso do fio dental, foram fatores de proteção para o câncer de boca e cabeça e pescoço, enquanto sangramento e muitos dentes ausentes foram fatores de risco.