Artigos Originais, Revisões e Atualizações October 01, 2005 October 01, 2005

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma: initial evaluation and follow-up

DOI: 10.1590/S0004-27302005000500010

Thyroid carcinoma accounts for roughly 1% of all new malignant diseases. Of these, at least 94% are differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), either papillary thyroid carcinoma or follicular thyroid carcinoma. Patients with DTC are usually considered as having a good prognosis, 80% of patients are cured, 20% will develop loco-regional recurrence and 5-10% distant metastasis. However, the disease may have an aggressive course in some patients. The identification of these patients has a major impact in the clinical management of DTC. Several prognostic factors and classification will be addressed, as well the most useful tests for patient’s follow-up.