Managing Low Risk Thyroid Cancer, a Paradigm Shift

Newswise — Stephanie L. Lee, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the Endocrine Clinics and the Thyroid Disease Center, Boston Medical Center, will discuss managing low risk thyroid cancer through risk assessment rather than staging when she speaks at the American Thyroid Association's National Thyroid Cancer Workshop II to be held January 23 " 24, 2009 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami. Her presentation will be Saturday, January 24 at 1:20 p.m. in Poinciana 4, 2nd level.

"Patients at low risk of death from differentiated thyroid cancer may be managed by assessing that risk rather than by staging," said Dr. Lee. "The goal of therapy for low risk patients should be toward reducing the risk for recurrence while limiting the morbidity due to excess therapy, such as repeat surgeries and radioactive iodine."

Dr. Lee will address controversies and the ATA recommendations for low risk thyroid cancer by examining questions such as 'What preoperative evaluation should be done? What is the optimal surgery? and, What is the role of radioiodine?'

Initial risk stratification, said Dr. Lee, should take into account age at diagnosis, histology, primary tumor size, lymph node status, distant metastasis and other factors. She will present case studies. Dr. Lee will also participate in a panel discussion on managing low versus high risk thyroid cancer on Saturday, prior to her presentation, from 11:00 am to noon in Americana 3 2nd level. She will also participate a Question & Answer session - covering the workshop's first day " Friday January 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Americana 3, 2nd level. Members of the media can find additional information at the ATA's Media Room, the Lucina Room, 3rd floor, Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is the lead organization in promoting thyroid health and understanding thyroid biology. The ATA values scientific inquiry, clinical excellence, public service, education, collaboration, and collegiality. ATA members are physicians and scientists who work to enhance the understanding of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology, improve diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases, and promote the education of physicians, patients, and the public about thyroid cancer. Thyroid diseases are the most disorders of the endocrine system, affecting almost 13 million Americans.