The Definition of Recurrence of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors' conclusion
Our main finding is that there is no universally accepted definition for recurrence of DTC in the current studies across any of the treatment categories.
Study context
- Population
- Studies reporting on recurrence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), MEDLINE and EMBASE, January 2018 to December 2023; studies without a definition excluded69 retrospective, 1 randomised controlled trial (RCT)
- Participants
- 70 participants
- Comparison
- Lobectomy vs Total thyroidectomy without RAI vs Total thyroidectomy with RAI
- Lobectomyn = 17
- Total thyroidectomy without RAIn = 4
- Total thyroidectomy with RAIn = 49
- Outcome
- Definition of recurrence of DTC
Methodological detailsPRISMA 2020, Search in December 2023; 1450 studies identified, Two independent investigators screened, assessed full texts and extracted data
- PRISMA 2020
- Search in December 2023; 1450 studies identified
- Two independent investigators screened, assessed full texts and extracted data
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Most common definition after lobectomy: cytology/pathology-proven recurrence
47.1% of this subgroup
Most common definition after total thyroidectomy with RAI: cytology/pathology-proven recurrence and/or anomalies on imaging
22.4% of this subgroup
Further pooled results
Studies differentiating recurrence from persistent disease
- Studies differentiating recurrence and persistent disease
- 9 (12.9%)
Patients per included study
- Median number of patients
- 438 (range 25-2297)
Original publication
The Definition of Recurrence of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Thyroid. Published 2 October 2024. doi:10.
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