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Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Published on: June 9, 2023
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Imaging and Screening of Thyroid Cancer
Qian Li1, Xueying Lin2, Yuhong Shao3
1Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, White 270, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Radiologic Clinics of North America
|October 10, 2017
Summary
Ultrasound is a key tool for thyroid disease diagnosis but drives overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer. It should be reserved for high-risk patients and incidental nodules, not general screening.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Ultrasound is the primary diagnostic method for thyroid diseases.
- High sensitivity of ultrasound contributes to overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer.
- Many thyroid cancers are indolent, meaning treatment may not impact outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the role of ultrasound in thyroid cancer overdiagnosis.
- To recommend appropriate utilization of diagnostic ultrasound for thyroid nodules.
- To emphasize risk stratification and consensus criteria for maximizing diagnostic ultrasound value.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on ultrasound use in thyroid disease.
- Analysis of the impact of ultrasound sensitivity on cancer diagnosis rates.
- Evaluation of overdiagnosis trends in thyroid cancer.
- Assessment of risk stratification and consensus criteria for nodule biopsy.
Main Results:
- Ultrasound significantly contributes to the overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer.
- Many diagnosed thyroid cancers are low-aggressiveness and do not affect patient outcomes.
- Current ultrasound practices can lead to unnecessary diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusions:
- Diagnostic ultrasound should not be used as a general screening tool for thyroid cancer.
- Ultrasound should be reserved for patients at high risk or for evaluating incidental thyroid nodules.
- Implementing prescreening risk stratification and consensus criteria for biopsy maximizes the value of diagnostic ultrasound.
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