Could watching and waiting beat the needle for thyroid nodules?

NCT ID NCT06220656

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This pilot study is testing whether active monitoring (regular ultrasounds and check-ups) is as good as or better than immediate biopsy for people with small thyroid nodules that look suspicious on ultrasound. Twenty adults with nodules under 2 cm will be randomly assigned to either immediate biopsy or active monitoring. The main goal is to compare anxiety levels and thyroid-related quality of life after 6 months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that active monitoring is a safe and less anxiety-provoking option for some thyroid nodules, potentially reducing unnecessary biopsies.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It is designed to test feasibility, not to prove which approach is better.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

nodular goiter thyroid cancer Thyroid Neoplasms Thyroid Nodule thyroid tumor

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

THYROID CANCER THYROID NEOPLASMS THYROID NODULE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
RECRUITING

Lebanon, New Hampshire, 03756, United States

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