Short summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the risk of thyroid cancer in patients with randomly detected focal PET/CT-positive lesions in the thyroid gland.

Rationale

International, retrospective studies show that the risk of thyroid cancer is increased by 30% in patients with a randomly detected thyroid adenoma with pathologically enhanced FDG uptake on PET/CT-scans.

At the moment, no Danish studies or prospective studies are available.

In order to offer the best treatment, it is important to know the actual risk for Danish patients. In the ENT-department at Odense University Hospital, we have implemented the following regime: Patients with randomly detected focal PET/CT-positive lesions in the thyroid gland are having an ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration. If the cytology is inconclusive, suspicious or malignant, the patient is offered hemithyroidectomy within one week. If the cytology is benign the patient course is terminated.

Description of the cohort

All patients admitted to the Head and Neck Cancer fast track program at Odense University Hospital with focal PET/CT-positive lesions in the thyroid gland in the period from 1^st of September 2016 to 31^st of March 2017.

Data and biological material

Variables in the study include: Sex, age, date of PET/CT-scan, fine-needle aspiration informations and details on histology.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of ENT Head and Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital

• Professor Christian Godballe