Increasing Incidence of Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer: Does Increased Detection of a Subclinical Reservoir Justify the Associated Anxiety and Treatment?
Publication/Presentation Date
4-1-2016
Abstract
The incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing over the last few decades, and it is subject to debate regarding whether the incidence is reflective of better diagnostic techniques and therefore better detection or if it is a reflection of a true increase in incidence. This increase in incidence has been most clearly manifested by an exponential increase in the diagnosis of micropapillary thyroid carcinomas. This article reviews the diagnosis of thyroid cancers, the dilemmas facing clinicians in the management of these micropapillary thyroid carcinomas, and the advances in molecular diagnostics that are being used to assist in the decision-making process. We consider the possibility of overtreatment of a relatively indolent disease and propose a less aggressive management plan in the appropriate clinical scenario.
Volume
38
Issue
4
First Page
976
Last Page
985
ISSN
1879-114X
Published In/Presented At
Ukrainski, M. B., Pribitkin, E. A., & Miller, J. L. (2016). Increasing Incidence of Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer: Does Increased Detection of a Subclinical Reservoir Justify the Associated Anxiety and Treatment?. Clinical therapeutics, 38(4), 976–985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2015.07.013
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
26434793
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article