[Hypoparathyroidism after surgery on thyroid cancer: is there a delayed chance for recovery after a prolonged period of substitutive therapy?]. / Niedoczynnosc przytarczyc po operacji raka tarczycy: czy istnieje szansa na opóznione samoistne wyrównanie funkcji gruczolów?

INTRODUCTION: Transient and persistent hypoparathyroidism (HPT) belong to the well known complications of total thyroidectomy performed because of thyroid carcinoma. The true frequency of persistent hypoparathyroidism is often higher than estimated in the reports published by the specialized centers with low rate of complications. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Investigation whether the repeated check-up, performed over 2 years post thyroidectomy, reveals some cases of recovery in patients diagnosed with persistent HPT post thyroid cancer surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 115 patients were included into the study, all of them treated with vitamin D derivatives and calcium supplementation. In 17 of them a diagnosis of transient hypoparathyroidism was made on the basis of evaluation performed 6 months after surgery, the remaining 98 were diagnosed with persistent HPT. Parathyroid (PTH) function was reevaluated after withdrawal of active vitamin D derivatives for 10 days and of calcium carbonate for two days during the hospital stay in patients admitted for radioiodine scan, thus after thyroxine withdrawal. The control group consisted of 123 DTC (differentiated thyroid carcinoma) patients without parathyroid dysfunction. On the basis of intact PTH serum level and calcium and phosphorus estimations HPT was unequivocally confirmed in 49 patients (50%). The remaining 49 patients exhibited normal PTH level and in 43 (86%) of them Ca(2+) level was also within normal range, thus delayed, recovery from HPT was stated. RESULTS: Our results indicate that reevaluation of hypoparathyroidism post total thyreoidectomy is necessary, as delayed recover of parathyroid dysfunction is a frequent phenomenon. We also propose criteria of reevaluation of HTP in patients on chronic substitutive therapy.

[Evaluation of the therapeutic benefits in relation to the extent of surgery in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma]. / Ocena korzysci terapeutycznych z zastosowania okreslonego zakresu operacji u chorych na zrósnicowane raki tarczycy.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of the therapeutic benefits in relation to the stage of thyroid cancer and to the extent of surgery and the risk of postoperative complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients staged T1M0 versus T2-T4M0 was performed. All of them were treated or diagnosed in Institute of Oncology in Gliwice between 1986-1998. Previously they were operated in various surgical centers all-over Poland. The risk of death, local relapse and postoperative complications were analyzed using the decisiontree model to evaluate the therapeutic benefits. RESULTS: The recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (transient or permanent) was observed in retrospective analysis in 21% of patients, while postoperative hyperparathyroidism in 15.8%. The analysis of the therapeutic benefit index showed no advantage of total thyroidectomy in the T1M0 group (0.96 vs. 0.98 in patients treated by less than total thyroidectomy). The advantage of radical surgery was confirmed in T2-T4M0 group. The therapeutic benefit index was 0.92 in patients treated by total thyroidectomy and 0.69 in those who received less extensive operation. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of therapeutic benefits confirmed the limit of 1 cm tumor diameter between less extensive surgery and total thyroidectomy. It showed that total thyroidectomy brings a significant therapeutic benefits in patients in > T1M0 stage. The improvement of overall survival and decrease of local relapse far outweigh the disadvantages related to postoperative complications.

[Optimization of 131I ablation in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma: comparison of early outcomes of treatment with 100 mCi versus 60 mCi]. / Optymalizacja leczenia uzupelniajacego jodem promieniotwórczym u chorych na zróznicowanego raka tarczycy: porownanie wczesnych wynikow leczenia aktywnoscia 100 i mCi 60 mCi.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the early outcomes between two groups of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) who received 60 or 100 mCi of (131)I for remnant ablation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 224 DTC patients with primary tumor > 1 cm of diameter or multifocal were randomised into prospective clinical trial. Patients with extrathyroideal extension of primary tumor and nodal metastases or M1 were not enrolled. 99 patients received 60 mCi, and 125--100 mCi of radioiodine as the first ablative dose. RESULTS: The effectiveness of thyroid ablation was evaluated after one year, during endogenous TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) stimulation, and after two years during Lthyroxine therapy. Whole body scintigraphy (WBS) was performed under thyroxine withdrawal and thyroglobulin serum level was assessed. Distant micrometastases were detected in 9.8% of patients by post-therapy WBS, 11 patients in group A treated with 60 mCi and 11 in group B treated with 100 mCi. In other patients no symptoms of persistent disease were detected. At one year follow up full remission was diagnosed in 176 patients: 76 in group A and 100 in group B. The remaining ones, 13.3% and 11.2% respectively, received the second course of (131)I for remnant ablation. There were no statistically significant differences in Tg (thyroglobulin) serum level either 12 or 24 months after 131I treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our evaluation of early efficacy of adjuvant radioiodine treatment in low risk DTC patients shows no differences between two radioiodine activities - 60 and 100 mCi in relation to thyroid ablation. Thus, the activity of 60 mCi is recommended.

[Relapse of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in low-risk patients]. / Nawrót zróznicowanego raka tarczycy u chorych z grupy niskiego ryzyka.

INTRODUCTION: The low incidence of relapse in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), primarily treated by total thyroidectomy and (131)I ablation, stimulates the search for optimal follow-up algorithms which do not include too many tests but are not connected with a risk of missing early recurrence. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of the routine follow up examinations for early detection of DTC recurrence in low risk DTC patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The group consisted of 617 DTC patients diagnosed in 1995-1996. In 513 (83%) total thyroidectomy was performed. 449 (73%) received ablative (131)I therapy. After primary approach complete remission (CR) was stated in 453 (73%), persistent disease in 116 (19%), asymptomatic hyperthyroglobulinaemia in 14 (2%). Patients with CR constituted the low risk group analyzed in this study. The median follow up was 4.16 yrs. RESULTS: Recurrent disease appeared in 28 (6%) patients (23 locoregional, 9 distant metastases, both in 4). Serum Tg (thyroglobulin) level at the moment of relapse diagnosis was detectable in 44% while neck sonography was the first examination to detect recurrence in 56% of cases. CONCLUSION: In the selected group of DTC patients treated by radical primary approach and showing a low risk of recurrence only half of all relapse cases are diagnosed by the rise of serum Tg level. Regular sonography contributes to the second half of diagnoses. Thus, a special weight should be put on neck sonography as the important element of regular follow up in low risk DTC patients.