The management of thyroid cancer in adults: a review of new guidelines

Abstract

The management of thyroid cancer has been facilitated by the recent publication of the Guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer in adults under the auspices of the British Thyroid Association and the Royal College of Physicians. This is a consensus document that has been developed by a number of key investigators in the field. The central tenet of the guidelines is that thyroid cancer is a disease which requires specialist care from a multidisciplinary team, including an endocrinologist, nuclear medicine physician, thyroid surgeon and endocrine pathologist. The guidelines are comprehensive and detailed, covering differentiated (papillary and follicular) and medullary cancer of the thyroid. They have been written in sections aimed at thyroid cancer specialists, primary care physicians, patients and their families. The guidelines are greatly welcomed and represent a major step forwards in the co-ordination of specialist care for thyroid cancer in the UK.