title: Evolution of differentiated thyroid cancer during pregnancy in a community University Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the presentation, follow-up and evolution of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) detected during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty nine women with DTC detected during pregnancy were analyzed. Group I (n = 13) was seen during pregnancy and DTC was diagnosed during gestation; detection of the nodule occurred during pregnancy (first trimester). Group II (n = 16) was seen after delivery; detection of the nodule occurred during pregnancy (second or third trimester). Complete thyroidectomy, ablative dose of radioactive iodine, and treatment with levothyroxine were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  neck ultrasound; TSH, free T4, thyroglobulin, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies with and without treatment with levothyroxine; and 131I whole body scans. Histological diagnosis, lymph node metastases, tumor size and stage, complications from pregnancy, and DTC evolution were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  100% of the patients had papillary thyroid carcinoma. Lymph node metastases were detected in 13 (44.8%), and invasion of adjacent extrathyroid tissue in 2 patients. Tumor size was larger in Group II: 22.1 ± 10.9 versus 13.9 ± 3.5 mm; p = 0.03. No differences were found in the tumor stages between groups. All patients had full-term pregnancies and healthy newborns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  5.7 ± 4.3 years; one patient had persistent disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DTC detected during pregnancy had a favorable evolution. Surgery may be postponed to the post-delivery period, unless there are risk factors that justify it during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nuclear Medicine Service, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Carmen Amalia
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cabezón
authors.forename: Laura Carolina
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Carrizo
authors.forename: Pablo René
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Costanzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D037841:Pregnant People; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013974:Thyroxine