Factors associated with physicians' recommendations for managing low-risk papillary thyroid cancer. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: The 2015 American Thyroid Association endorsed less aggressive management for low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (LR-PTC). We aimed to identify factors influencing physicians' recommendations for LR-PTC. METHODS: We surveyed members of three professional societies and assessed respondents' recommendations for managing LR-PTC using patient scenarios. Multivariable logistic regression models identified clinical and non-clinical factors associated with recommending total thyroidectomy (TT) and active surveillance (AS). RESULTS: The 345 respondents included 246 surgeons and 99 endocrinologists. Physicians' preference for their own management if diagnosed with LR-PTC had the strongest association with their recommendation for TT and AS (TT: OR 12.3; AS: OR 7.5, p < 0.001). Physician specialty and stated patient preference were also significantly associated with their recommendations for both management options. Respondents who received information about AS had increased odds of recommending AS. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians' recommendations for LR-PTC are strongly influenced by non-clinical factors, such as personal treatment preference and specialty.

publication date

  • November 12, 2020

Research

keywords

  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Thyroid Cancer, Papillary
  • Thyroid Neoplasms
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Watchful Waiting

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC8262457

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85097109567

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.11.021

PubMed ID

  • 33248684

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 222

issue

  • 1