Active surveillance for micro-papillary thyroid carcinoma: who are candidates, how should they be followed, when should they be treated, and what are the clinical and pathologic outcomes after delayed intervention

We read with interest the commentary by Shaha and Tuttle.1 Active surveillance (AS) is an established treatment option for patients with localized, low-risk papillary microcarcinoma (PMC). Utilization of AS for selected low-risk cancers is increasing as is considered appropriate for low-risk prostate cancer and on occasion in breast cancer and small renal neoplasms.2 AS entails the postponement of immediate therapy with the option of delayed intervention if or when the disease progresses. AS is required because of overdiagnosis, along with our inability to predict accurately individual PMC behavior.
Source: Surgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Source Type: research