title: Is 131I ablation necessary for patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma and slightly elevated stimulated thyroglobulin after thyroidectomy?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective study evaluated the recurrence rate in low-risk patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) who presented slightly elevated thyroglobulin (Tg) after thyroidectomy and who did not undergo ablation with131I.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 53 low-risk patients (nonaggressive histology; pT1b-3, cN0pNx, M0) with slightly elevated Tg after thyroidectomy (> 1 ng/mL, but ≤ 5 ng/mL after levothyroxine withdrawal or ≤ 2 ng/mL after recombinant human TSH).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The time of follow-up ranged from 36 to 96 months. Lymph node metastases were detected in only one patient (1.9%). Fifty-two patients continued to present negative neck ultrasound. None of these patients without apparent disease presented an increase in Tg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-risk patients with PTC who present slightly elevated Tg after thyroidectomy do not require ablation with 131I.
authors.affiliation: Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Weslley
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Rosario
authors.affiliation: Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela Franco
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Mourão
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000097:blood*; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D057073:Thyrotropin Alfa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D057073:Thyrotropin Alfa; D013954:Thyroglobulin