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. 2020 Jul;183(1):G41-G48.
doi: 10.1530/EJE-20-0269.

ENDOCRINOLOGY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19: Management of thyroid nodules and cancer

Alexis Vrachimis  1 , Ioannis Iakovou  2   3 , Evanthia Giannoula  2 , Luca Giovanella  4   5
Affiliations

ENDOCRINOLOGY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19: Management of thyroid nodules and cancer

Alexis Vrachimis et al. Eur J Endocrinol. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Most patients with thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer (TC) referred for diagnostic work-up and treatment are not considered at higher risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2 compared to the general population. On the other hand, healthcare resources should be spared to the maximum extent possible during a pandemic. Indeed, while thyroid nodules are very common, only a small percentage are cancerous and, in turn, most thyroid cancers are indolent in nature. Accordingly, diagnostic work-up of thyroid nodules, thyroid surgery for either benign or malignant thyroid nodules and radioiodine treatment for differentiated thyroid cancers may be safely postponed during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Appropriate patient counselling, however, is mandatory and red flags should be carefully identified prompting immediate evaluation and treatment as appropriate. For these selected cases diagnostic work-up (e.g. ultrasound, scintigraphy, fine-needle aspiration), surgery and radioiodine therapy may proceed despite the threat of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19, after an individual risk-benefit analysis.

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