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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
03:55
Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Published on: June 9, 2023
Application of Theranostics in Thyroid Cancer Management
Archana Sridhar1, Noha Behairy1, Joanna Klubo-Gwiezdzinska1
1Metabolic Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Incidental thyroid uptake on PET/CT scans can indicate benign or malignant thyroid lesions. Targeted radioligands aid in selecting advanced thyroid cancer patients for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT).
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Incidental thyroid uptake of radiolabeled ligands in PET/CT occurs in up to 6% of scans.
- While diffuse uptake is often benign, heterogeneous or focal uptake may indicate malignant thyroid lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the significance of incidental thyroid uptake in PET/CT scans.
- To explore the role of targeted radioligands and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in thyroid cancer management.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of PET/CT scans utilizing ligands targeting SSTR2, PSMA, FAPI, choline, integrin αvβ3, and minigastrin.
- Review of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for thyroid cancer detection.
- Assessment of patient selection criteria for PRRT based on molecular target expression.
Main Results:
- Heterogeneous or focal uptake is associated with malignancy in up to 19.7% of patients.
- PET/CT shows decreased sensitivity for metastases compared to other imaging but high specificity for certain thyroid cancers.
- PRRT demonstrates a disease control rate approaching 60% with good tolerance in advanced thyroid cancer.
Conclusions:
- Incidental thyroid uptake on PET/CT requires careful interpretation, as it can signify malignancy.
- Targeted radioligands and PRRT offer a promising treatment option for advanced, refractory, or medullary thyroid cancer.
- Optimizing PRRT efficacy involves precise patient selection, dosimetry, and ligand development.
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