Strategies of Radioiodine Ablation in Patients with Low-Risk Thyroid Cancer

Results There were 752 patients enrolled between 2007 and 2010; 92% had papillary cancer. There were no unexpected serious adverse events. In the 684 patients with data that could be evaluated, ultrasonography of the neck was normal in 652 (95%), and the stimulated thyroglobulin level was 1.0 ng per milliliter or less in 621 of the 652 patients (95%) without detectable thyroglobulin antibodies. Thyroid ablation was complete in 631 of the 684 patients (92%). The ablation rate was equivalent between the 131 I doses and between the thyrotropin-stimulation methods. Conclusions The use of recombinant human thyrotropin and low-dose (1.1 GBq) postoperative radioiodine ablation may be sufficient for the management of low-risk thyroid can cer. (Funded by the French National Cancer Institute [INCa] and the French Minis try of Health; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00435851; INCa number, RECF0447.)