[News in endocrinology in 2013].

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Context:

• Acromegaly treatment via transsphenoidal surgery may not fully control GH hypersecretion or normalize IGF-I.
• Current first-line drug therapy for acromegaly involves somatostatin analogues.
• Recent publications (2012-2013) address the prognosis of intermediate-risk, well-differentiated thyroid cancers.

Purpose:

• To review current treatment strategies for acromegaly and intermediate-risk thyroid cancer.
• To evaluate the role of radioactive iodine dosing and elastography in patient management.

Summary:

• Transsphenoidal surgery is standard for pituitary adenoma-related acromegaly, but pharmacological options like somatostatin analogues are essential when surgery is insufficient.
• For intermediate-risk thyroid cancer, evidence suggests reducing radioactive iodine dosage for favorable histology without impacting prognosis.
• Elastography, combined with ultrasound, shows potential for improving the selection of thyroid nodules requiring cytology, though limitations exist for follicular carcinomas.

Impact:

• Optimizing treatment protocols for acromegaly and thyroid cancer.
• Improving diagnostic accuracy for thyroid nodules, potentially reducing unnecessary procedures.
• Informing clinical guidelines for endocrine and thyroid disorder management.