Thyroid cancer surgical indication during pregnancy: Systematic literature review and series of illustrative cases

Objective: To evaluate and discuss timing possibilities for surgical treatment in thyroid cancer in pregnant women. Methods: Systematic literature review based on online search at the Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) and National Center for Biotechnology Informat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lucas Albuquerque Chinelatto, Flávio Carneiro Hojaij, Dorival de Carlucci, Jr., Claudio Roberto Cernea
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1808869425000862
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Summary:Objective: To evaluate and discuss timing possibilities for surgical treatment in thyroid cancer in pregnant women. Methods: Systematic literature review based on online search at the Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) databases. Retrospective analysis of thyroidectomies performed in the second trimester of pregnancy by the authors between 1999 and 2019. Results: The systematic review included nine articles. Their conclusions diverge with respect to the optimal timing of thyroid surgery. The medical literature considers thyroidectomy after safe delivery. The most recent studies are more flexible regarding carrying out this surgery during the second trimester of pregnancy. In the authors’ experience (n = 5), surgical treatment during the second trimester of pregnancy is a good option for more aggressive tumors. Conclusion: More aggressive cases of thyroid papillary carcinoma can be treated with surgery during the second trimester of pregnancy. Performing the surgery after delivery is safer in the case of less aggressive cancer cases. The decision should consider hospital costs, surgery risks, and patient anxiety in relation to cancer. Level of evidence: Level II.
ISSN:1808-8694