[Guideline thyroid cancer including diagnostics of the nodule]

Abstract

- Thyroid cancer is comparatively rare. Thyroid nodules, on the other hand, are frequently diagnosed as a result of increasing use of diagnostic imaging.- Cytological investigation of small nodules that have been found by chance often reveals micropapillary carcinoma that is probably not clinically relevant.- The new guideline 'Thyroid cancer' advises that cytological investigation of these non-palpable, incidentally discovered thyroid nodules should only be performed on indication.- The standard treatment for patients with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer consists of thyroidectomy followed by, if indicated, lymph-node dissection, ablation therapy with radioactive iodine and TSH-suppression. The extent of this treatment is determined on the basis of known prognostic factors and the results of initial treatment.- Targeted systemic therapy is available for patients with metastatic progressive disease.- There is more focus on the effects of short- and long-term treatment, in order to optimise quality of life.