Treatment of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Improved selection of thyroid nodules for surgery and greater individualization of surgery for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma are emphasized. Thyroid nodules are common but infrequently are manifestations of carcinoma. Needle biopsy permits better selection of patients with thyroid nodules for surgery by identifying those which are malignant or are likely to become malignant. Experience in performing diagnostic needle biopsies and in cytologic and histologic interpretation is essential. The majority of well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas are well-localized papillary carcinomas controlled by surgery, usually a lobectomy or partial thyroidectomy. Well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas include papillary and follicular types and their subsets. The extent of surgery should be individualized based on gross extent of disease, histologic variety, and age of the patient. The prognosis is reduced for patients more than 40 years of age. With appropriate early surgical treatment, the outlook is excellent. Metastatic disease can frequently also be controlled by large doses of thyroid hormone and the use of radioactive iodine.