[Therapeutic strategies in differentiated cancer of the thyroid: total thyroidectomy]

Differentiated thyroid cancer is peculiar for its prognosis often excellent. The Authors report their experience about 78 patients affected with differentiated thyroid carcinoma, operated between 1976-1999 at the Institute of Surgical Pathology and Surgical Clinic of Cagliari University. 70 (89.7%) patients underwent total thyroidectomy, 6 (7.5%) subtotal thyroidectomy and 2 (2.5%) thyroid lobectomy. In 11 patients total thyroidectomy was performed in two times within 60 days after initial lobectomy. Tumor was found in 2 (18%) of 11 of the reoperations. Lymphadenectomy was performed only in presence of cervical lymph nodal metastases. Following 70 total thyroidectomy the incidence of recurrent nerve palsy was 4.2% and permanent hypoparathyroidism 11.4%. 79% patients received adjuvant postoperative radioiodine therapy to ablate residual functioning tissue or distant suspected metastases. After a mean follow up period of 5.8 years, recurrences developed in 10.2%. Any local recurrences, 5 (6.4%) cervical nodal recurrences, 3 (3.8%) distant metastases were encountered. Two (2.5%) of the three patients with recurrence distant metastases died from thyroid carcinoma. The Authors identify total thyroidectomy as the minimal procedure. Surgical management of the cervical nodes is recommended only in the presence of metastatic lymph-nodes. Post surgical ablation with I131 of microscopic remnants optimize detection and treatment of the recurrence and distant metastases.