Cited by 16,535Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and TreatmentThyroid and Parathyroid SurgeryThyroid Disorders and Treatments

2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: The American Thyroid Association Guidelines Task Force on Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

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Haugen, Bryan R., Alexander, Erik K., Bible, Keith C., Doherty, Gerard M., Mandel, Susan J., Nikiforov, Yuri E., Pacini, Furio, Randolph, Gregory W. +8 more·2016·Thyroid®

Abstract

Background: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem, and differentiated thyroid cancer is becoming increasingly prevalent. Since the American Thyroid Association's (ATA's) guidelines for the management of these disorders were revised in 2009, significant scientific advances have occurred in the field. The aim of these guidelines is to inform clinicians, patients, researchers, and health policy makers on published evidence relating to the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. Methods: The specific clinical questions addressed in these guidelines were based on prior versions of the guidelines, stakeholder input, and input of task force members. Task force panel members were educated on knowledge synthesis methods, including electronic database searching, review and selection of relevant citations, and critical appraisal of selected studies. Published English language articles on adults were eligible for inclusion. The American College of Physicians Guideline Grading System was used for critical appraisal of evidence and grading strength of recommendations for therapeutic interventions. We developed a similarly formatted system to appraise the quality of such studies and resultant recommendations. The guideline panel had complete editorial independence from the ATA. Competing interests of guideline task force members were regularly updated, managed, and communicated to the ATA and task force members. Results: The revised guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules include recommendations regarding initial evaluation, clinical and ultrasound criteria for fine-needle aspiration biopsy, interpretation of fine-needle aspiration biopsy results, use of molecular markers, and management of benign thyroid nodules. Recommendations regarding the initial management of thyroid cancer include those relating to screening for thyroid cancer, staging and risk assessment, surgical management, radioiodine remnant ablation and therapy, and thyrotropin suppression therapy using levothyroxine. Recommendations related to long-term management of differentiated thyroid cancer include those related to surveillance for recurrent disease using imaging and serum thyroglobulin, thyroid hormone therapy, management of recurrent and metastatic disease, consideration for clinical trials and targeted therapy, as well as directions for future research. Conclusions: We have developed evidence-based recommendations to inform clinical decision-making in the management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. They represent, in our opinion, contemporary optimal care for patients with these disorders.

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Authors
Haugen, B. R., Alexander, E. K., Bible, K. C., Doherty, G. M., Mandel, S. J., Nikiforov, Y. E., Pacini, F., Randolph, G. W., Sawka, A. M., Schlumberger, M., Schuff, K. G., Sherman, S. I., Sosa, J. A., Steward, D. L., Tuttle, R. M., & Wartofsky, L.
Affiliations
  • University of Colorado Anschutz (US)
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
  • Mayo Clinic (US)
  • Boston Medical Center (US)
  • University of Pennsylvania (US)
  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (US)
  • University of Siena (IT)
  • Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (US)
  • University Health Network (CA)
  • Institut Gustave Roussy (FR)
  • Oregon Health & Science University (US)
  • The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
  • Duke University (US)
  • University of Cincinnati Medical Center (US)
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (US)
  • MedStar Washington Hospital Center (US)
Venue
Thyroid®
Published
2016-01
Volume
26
Issue
1
Pages
1-133
ISSN
  • 1050-7256 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-9077
OpenAlex
W2145150141
Cited by
16,535
References
1,326
Citations by year
2026: 957 · 2025: 1399 · 2024: 1618 · 2023: 1698 · 2022: 1686 · 2021: 1682 · 2020: 1626 · 2019: 1243 · 2018: 1230 · 2017: 1139 · 2016: 748 · 2015: 243 · 2014: 281 · 2013: 235 · 2012: 196
FWCI
973.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Thyroid (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
  • Use Siena air (University of Siena) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
Keywords
thyroid nodules, differentiated thyroid cancer, fine-needle aspiration, ultrasound-guided biopsy, molecular markers, benign thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer screening, thyroid cancer staging, risk assessment, thyroid surgery, radioiodine remnant ablation, levothyroxine, serum thyroglobulin, thyroid hormone replacement, metastatic thyroid cancer, targeted therapy
MeSH terms
Cell Differentiation, Endocrinology, Humans, Medical Oncology, Predictive Value of Tests, Thyroid Neoplasms, Thyroid Nodule, Treatment Outcome, Evidence-Based Medicine, Consensus

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