[Pulmonary and brain metastases from well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma]

Total thyroidectomy is the surgical treatment of choice for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Despite this surgical treatment, locoregional and distant metastases can develop. Postoperative follow-up should include determination of serum thyroglobulin levels and radioactive iodine (131I) and thallium (201Tl) whole body scans. These techniques are more reliable in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy. We stress the importance of routine medical follow-up after surgical treatment of thyroid cancer, even in the absence of symptoms.