Thyroid cancer follow-up
Adapted from NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) V.1.2010
Thyroid Cancer (Papillary)
- Physical exam/ Laboratory testing
- 6 &12 months: TSH and thyroglobulin measurement + antithyroglobulin antibodies
- If disease free after 12 months, then annually: TSH and thyroglobulin measurement + antithyroglobulin antibodies
- Periodic neck ultrasound
- If treated with RAI (radioactive iodine), with negative TSH-suppressed thyroglobulin and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies:
- TSH stimulated thyroglobulin
- Consider TSH-stimulated radioiodine imaging:
- If have locally advanced or spread of thyroid cancer
- If have abnormal thyroglobulin levels (either TSH-suppressed or TSH-stimulated)
- abnormal antithyroglobulin antibodies
- abnormal ultrasound during surveillance
- Radioiodine imaging every 12 months until no response is seen (to RAI treatment in iodine response tumors (either withdrawal of thyroid hormone or rhTSH)
- If there is a detectable thyroglobulin level
- If there is spread of disease
- If there is noted extension of disease beyond the thyroid on initial staging,
- If stimulated Thyroglobulin level is > 2-5 ng/mL and 131-I imaging negative:
- consider additional non-radioiodine imaging (e.g. PET/CT)
Please click on the following links for follow-up guidance after cancer treatment
For information on treatment follow up please click the link to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
