[Suppressive thyroxine therapy of differentiated thyroid cancer in daily practice of a large cancer centre].
BACKGROUND
The study summarizes the results of an audit evaluating the realization of the suppressive TSH therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.


METHODS
The evaluation was performed in 500 consecutive patients.


RESULTS
In patients in whom remission was diagnosed < 5 years ago, in 70% subcomplete suppression was stated (TSH 0.1-0.3 mU/L) and complete suppression (TSH < 0.1 mU/L) was observed in 20%. Unexpectedly in patients in whom remission lasted > 5 years, complete suppression was observed in 60%. However, this last group was less numerous, thus, the majority of no evidence of disease patients exhibited subcomplete TSH suppression, while only 40% of patients with active disease had this goal realized.


CONCLUSIONS
1. Iatrogenous hypothyroidism was well controlled in nearly all differentiated thyroid cancer patients. 2. The goal of L-thyroxine treatment, defined as TSH serum level < 0.4 mU/L was achieved in 90% of them without a significant risk of iatrogenous thyrotoxicosis. 3. Some overdosage of L-thyroxine was observed, especially in patients in whom remission lasted > 5 years. It this group of patients there is no reason to induce full suppression of TSH by L-thyroxine treatment.
Puch
Zbigniew
Z
Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology-M. Skłodowskiej-Curie Memorial Institute, Gliwice Branch, ul. Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, Gliwice.
Roskosz
Józef
J
Jurecka-Lubieniecka
Beata
B
Kula
Dorota
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine