Long-Term Quality of Life and Pregnancy Outcomes of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Survivors Treated by Total Thyroidectomy and I(131) during Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Abstract

Introduction. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is rare and confers good prognosis. Long-term health related quality of life (HRQoL) and pregnancy outcomes are not well known in subjects treated during adolescence and young adulthood. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis of HRQoL and global self-esteem, using SF-36 and ISP-25 surveys, and of pregnancy outcomes in female survivors of DTC treated by total thyroidectomy and I(131) before age of 25 years. Results. Forty-five of 61 patients (74%) responded to the survey. Cumulative I(131) activity was ≤3.85 GBq in 18 subjects and >3.85 GBq in 27 subjects. Mean time from diagnosis was 7.6 ± 5.2 years for the group ≤ 3.85 GBq versus 16.9 ± 11.6 years for the group > 3.85 GBq (P < 0.05). No significant alteration in long-term HRQoL and global self-esteem was observed. Thirty pregnancies after I(131) were noted in patients from the group > 3.85 GBq and 10 in patients from the group ≤ 3.85 GBq. Frequency of miscarriages was of 17% (group > 3.85 GBq) and 10% (group ≤ 3.85 GBq) with 9 and 24 live births, respectively. No congenital malformations or first year mortality was noted. Conclusion. Long-term HRQoL, global self-esteem, and pregnancy outcomes are not affected in young female survivors of DTC.

Figure 1

Flow chart of study participants.

Figure 2

Results of SF-36 (a) and ISP-25 (b) for the two groups of patients (cumulative I¹³¹ activity ≤ 3.85 GBq versus cumulative I¹³¹ activity > 3.85 GBq) and the French reference population [18, 19]. Scores for each questionnaire component are represented as means (±SD).