Radioiodine Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas

Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Radioiodine Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas: Background.

Outcomes vary among patients with radioiodine refractory (RR) differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The prognostic factors for survival are not well-known, resulting in difficulty in selecting patients for new targeted therapies. We assessed overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) from RR-DTC to identify prognostic factors associated with survival.

Patients and Methods.

The data on all cases of metastatic RR-DTC treated in our center from 1990 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method; associated prognostic factors were assessed using Cox's model.

Results.

Of 153 cases of metastatic DTC, 59% (n = 91) met a criterion for RR: that is, 60% (n = 55) had at least 1 metastasis without 131I uptake; 21% (n = 19) had progressive disease (PD) despite 131I; 19% (n = 17) had persistent disease despite a cumulative activity of 131I of ≥600 mCi. After the diagnosis of RR, median OS was 8.9 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.4-NR); median CSS was 9.6 years (95% CI: 6.01-NR). In multivariate analyses, PD despite 131I as a criterion for RR disease and the time from initial diagnosis of DTC to diagnosis of RR <3 years were the only independent prognostic factors for poor OS and CSS. Thyroglobulin doubling time (Tg-DT) was assessed in 31 of 91 cases. Among the 11 patients with Tg-DT for <1 year or undetectable Tg, 6 deaths occurred, whereas only 3 died of 20 patients with Tg-DT >1 year or negative Tg-DT.

Conclusion.

The identification of prognostic factors for decreased survival in RR-DTC may improve the selection of patients for targeted agents.

Implications for Practice:

This study shows a great heterogeneity in terms of prognosis in radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Poorer prognosis is observed in patients with tumor progression or with a diagnosis of radioiodine resistance within 3 years after the initial diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Those findings could lead to improvements in the selection of patients for targeted therapies.

from #Med Blogs by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1N4FGCg
via IFTTT

from #Med Blogs by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1RjQioI
via IFTTT