Factors Affecting Thyroid Cancer Recurrence
Author Information
Author(s): Angela M Leung, Shalini Dave, Stephanie L Lee, Francis X Campion, Jeffrey R Garber, Elizabeth N Pearce
Primary Institution: Boston University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Certain patient-associated or tumor-associated factors predict well-differentiated thyroid cancer persistence or recurrence.
Conclusion
Age at diagnosis seems to have some positive prognostic value for thyroid cancer persistence or recurrence.
Supporting Evidence
- 52 patients (12%) experienced persistence or recurrence of thyroid cancer.
- Older age was a significant predictor of disease persistence or recurrence.
- Most tumors were unifocal and larger than 1 cm.
Takeaway
This study looked at patients with thyroid cancer to see what factors might make their cancer come back. It found that being older when diagnosed could be important.
Methodology
Retrospective chart review of thyroid carcinoma patients treated between 1979 and 2007.
Potential Biases
Potential misclassification bias due to patients managed by non-HVMA providers.
Limitations
The study could not assess local extension of disease and lymph node involvement due to missing data.
Participant Demographics
74% women, 79% Caucasian, mean age 45.8 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 0.25 to 0.95
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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