Alhumaidi, Hebah

BackgroundFactors associated with receiving initial care for thyroid cancer (TC) at academic centers (ACs) versus nonacademic centers (NACs) and their impact on patient outcomes have not been reported.MethodsThe National Cancer Database with TC cases from 2004 to 2013 was evaluated for association of type of center for initial care with socioeconomic factors and disease and treatment characteristics, as well as overall survival (OS; all‐cause mortality).ResultsThe patients with TC (n = 200,824) included were predominantly women (74%), non‐Hispanic Whites (85%), and from metro areas (84%). Sixty percent received initial care at a NAC. There were no significant differences between treatment groups by age or gender. Among those treated at an AC, a higher proportion belonged to racial/ethnic minorities (16.5%) versus at a NAC (11.6%). Hormone therapy was used more in an AC versus a NAC (60% vs 47%). Patients with all TC pathologies combined had a lower likelihood of death when they received initial care at an AC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.948; P = .0006). Among individual pathologic subtypes, a lower likelihood of death was noted when initial care was received at an AC for follicular (HR, 0.828, P = .0010) and Hurthle cell cancers (HR, 792; P = .0008), as well as stage II papillary thyroid cancer (HR, 0.828; P = .0026), but not for other histopathologic subtypes.ConclusionsInitial care at an AC was associated with lower likelihood of death for patients with TC, especially for those with follicular or Hurthle cell subtypes. Optimal resource use with consideration of patients' socioeconomic and demographic factors is imperative to ensure the most appropriate management of patients with TC in various treatment settings.

Abstract 17 year old female presented for evaluation of galactorrhea of 3 months duration. Patient was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer and underwent total thyroidectomy in 2011. She was prescribed Synthroid 175 mcg but was not compliant with taking her medicine. In April 2019 she developed bilateral galactorrhea for which she was evaluated at an outside facility and was found to have a prolactin 143.7ng/mL (n 7.2-63) and TSH 996 mIU/L (n 0.5 -4.0). Pituitary MRI revealed pituitary macroadenoma measuring 1.5 x 1.4 x 1.2 cm with slight elevation of the optic chiasm and infundibulum. She was advised to restart Synthroid and was referred for the neurosurgery team at our facility for surgical resection of pituitary macroadenoma. Over the same period of time, she gained 25 lbs, developed headaches, excessive fatigue, constipation, hair loss, lower extremity swelling, and puffiness of her face. Her menstrual cycles were regular but this was only after she was placed on norelgestromin/ ethinyl estradiol transdermal patch. She denied visual changes. By the time she was seen at our clinic in June 2019, she was taking Synthroid daily for 1 month. TSH decreased to 1.0 mIU/L and prolactin improved to 68 ng/mL. IGF-1 was low at 98 ng/mL (n 149-509). ACTH, morning cortisol, and 24 hour urine free cortisol were within reference range. Visual field testing showed no visual defects. We advised patient to continue taking Synthroid and to follow up in 1 month. On the follow up visit in July 2019, TSH was 0.2 mIU/L, prolactin was 52 ng/mL and IGF-1 was 105 ng/mL. Pituitary MRI showed pituitary hyperplasia that has decreased compared to previous MRI, now measuring around 1 cm at the largest dimension without contact with the optic chiasm and the Infundibulum was at midline. Galactorrhea and headaches resolved and fatigue significantly improved.