Endocrine Abstracts

Patients with low-risk thyroid cancer are at risk for overtreatment. Autopsy studies and survival statistics suggest that many patients with thyroid cancer have indolent disease that is unlikely to lead to death. Prior studies have found similar long-term outcomes with less intensive management. Yet, there remains marked variation in care, with some patients at risk for overtreatment. Data from large cancer registries, as well as patient report, provide evidence that overtreatment of low-risk thyroid cancer leads to harmful side effects from therapies that may not have been needed. Overdiagnosis of low-risk thyroid cancer fuels overtreatment. In addition, overtreatment continues as there are barriers to implementing less intensive management options. Ultimately, reducing overtreatment will require a multipronged approach and involve patient education as well as physician directed interventions.