Differentiated thyroid cancer in two European referral centres: impact of different diagnostic and therapeutic strategies
Objective: To evaluate differences in the presentation, diagnostic/therapeutic approaches, and outcome of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in an Italian and a Dutch referral centre. Methods: We retrospectively included 919 patients (586 Italian, 333 Dutch), and compared the two cohorts as a whole...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Bioscientifica
2025-08-01
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| Series: | European Thyroid Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://etj.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/etj/14/4/ETJ-25-0161.xml |
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| Summary: | Objective: To evaluate differences in the presentation, diagnostic/therapeutic approaches, and outcome of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in an Italian and a Dutch referral centre. Methods: We retrospectively included 919 patients (586 Italian, 333 Dutch), and compared the two cohorts as a whole and according to ATA risk classes. Dynamic risk stratification (DRS) and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to compare progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Results: Several differences (P < 0.001) were found in clinicopathological features and in diagnostic/therapeutic modalities. The Dutch cohort had a higher age at diagnosis, a higher number of patients presenting with metastatic disease, and patients with stage III/IV. Most Italian patients showed a low/intermediate ATA risk, while high-risk patients represented half of the Dutch cohort. The Dutch cohort received a more intensive first treatment and more additional treatments during follow-up (i.e. surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic treatments). DRS analysis showed comparable excellent and biochemical incomplete responses, while the Dutch cohort had a lower rate of indeterminate and a higher rate of structural incomplete responses (P < 0.001). The Dutch cohort had a significantly worse 5-year PFS, and TC-related mortality was 10 and 1% for the Dutch and Italian cohorts, respectively, in line with the higher rate of advanced disease at presentation, with DSS still excellent for both. Conclusion: Data reported in the present comparison between two European countries highlight a different prevalence, presentation, and outcome of DTC, likely due to variabilities in healthcare systems, iodine nutritional status, and diagnostic and treatment approaches. |
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| ISSN: | 2235-0802 |