Ces radiol. 2021, 75(1):84-93 | DOI: 10.55095/CesRadiol2021/011

Key role of neck ultrasonography in the modern management of thyroid cancerReview article

Marianna Grigerová¹, Róbert Králik², Martin Griger³, Emília Mojtová¹, Eva Takácsová⁴, Ján Podoba¹

¹ Klinika endokrinológie SZU a OÚsA, Bratislava

² Klinika chirurgie LF UK a OÚsA, Bratislava

³ EuroPainClinics Bratislava

⁴ Klinika nukleárnej medicíny LF UK, SZU a OÚsA, Bratislava

Thyroid cancer is a malignancy with the fastest growing incidence in women in the past decades. However, there is more epidemic of over diagnosis of incidental low-risk cancers without clinical significance due to the advancement in detection methods rather than epidemic of cancer itself. New understanding of excellent prognosis of these clinically silent tumours has changed the therapeutic approach with decline from complex oncological treatment. Neck ultrasound is an imaging technique which can distinguish sub-clinical cancer that needs less aggressive therapy from high-risk malignity. Ultrasound findings determine the need and the extend of initial surgery. Thorough ultrasound examination is linked to lower persistence rates and it can often help to avoid unnecessary repeated surgery. Neck ultrasound is also corner stone in follow up of patients with thyroid malignancies especially low risk differentiated thyroid cancer after lobectomy and not treated surgically. Without high quality neck ultrasound, the new approach to thyroid cancer with treatment tailored to each patient's individual needs according to the risk of recurrence would not be possible.

Keywords: thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules, ultrasonography

Accepted: October 15, 2020; Published: March 1, 2021  Show citation