EMIRATES
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development and evaluation of thyroid cancer patient decision aid
IRAS ID
328907
Contact name
Wanding Yang
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Marsden Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Differentiated thyroid carcinoma is currently one of the most rapidly increasing tumours. Due to the widespread use of advanced imaging and increased pathological scrutiny of thyroid specimens, the majority of these cases are small/early low-risk cancers.
Based on the British Thyroid Association 2014 guideline and the American Thyroid Association 2015 guideline, low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer can be managed by either removing the entire thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy) or removing the thyroid lobe that contains the cancer (hemithyroidectomy). Each treatment option has its advantages and disadvantages. While total thyroidectomy has afforded excellent overall survival rate (98-99% at 10-year) and a low recurrence rate (2-8% at 7-year), its survival benefit comes at the price of life-long hormone replacement therapy and increased risk of post-operative complications such as vocal cord paralysis and hypoparathyroidism. These negative ramifications of total thyroidectomy have a huge implication on thyroid patient’s physical and emotional functioning, their working and family life, and long-term quality of life. In comparison, hemithyroidectomy has less complications and is better tolerated by patients. However, some studies suggests hemithyroidectomy has a slightly higher cancer recurrence rate when compared with total thyroidectomy.
To help patients and clinicians with this treatment decision making, we have developed a thyroid cancer specific patient decision aid. The patient decision aid is in the format of an educational pamphlet. It will provides plain-language information about the potential risks, benefits and uncertainties related to each treatment option. It will also help patients to clarify their values when making the decision. This study is to pilot testing a thyroid cancer patient decision aid in clinical setting, the outcome of which can be used to inform a larger trial in the future.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0328
Date of REC Opinion
14 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion