[Adjuvant percutaneous radiation of locally advanced papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma: reflections for the necessity of a prospective multicenter study]

Abstract

Adjuvant external radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer was repeatedly controversially discussed. Results of various retrospective analyzes were contradictory and did not lead to a generally accepted consent. Nevertheless, they allow the assumption that at least subgroups of patients in a pT4 stage with no or microscopic residual disease may benefit from adjuvant external beam therapy. This publication is a review of the literature and illustrates the variety of "strategies" practiced in German clinical centers and the necessity of a prospective multicentric clinical trial.