Thyroid cancer patients choose monitoring over surgery in new study
NCT ID NCT03271892
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study follows 200 adults with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer to see how many choose active surveillance (close monitoring) instead of surgery, and why. Researchers also track decision regret and quality of life over time. The goal is to understand if offering monitoring as an alternative to surgery is a viable option for patients.
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 study could show that active surveillance is a safe and satisfying option for many patients with low-risk thyroid cancer, potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial, so it won't prove which option is medically better. Results may not apply to all patients, and decision regret could still occur in either group.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 200 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2016
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2031
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Consenting individuals aged 18 years of age or older with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) who have a primary tumor that is \<2cm in maximal diameter, and fine needle aspiration biopsy is positive or suspicious for PTC. The tumor must be confined to the thyroid (no metastatic disease) and not considered in a high risk location (e.g. adjacent to the recurrent laryngeal nerve or trachea). The patient must have no prior surgical treatment for thyroid cancer.
- Ages
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18 to 100 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients 18 years of age or older 2. Newly diagnosed previously untreated papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) (fine needle aspiration biopsy positive for PTC or suspicious for PTC). 3. PTC must be less than 2 cm in maximal diameter on thyroid ultrasound 4. No evidence of metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy on ultrasound imaging of the neck (or other neck imaging) and no known distant metastatic thyroid cancer. 5. No other absolute indications for thyroid or parathyroid surgery 6. Permission for review of thyroid cancer-related medical records Exclusion Criteria: 1. Regional or distant metastatic thyroid cancer 2. History of prior thyroid cancer surgery 3. High risk location of the PTC (e.g. adjacent to the recurrent laryngeal nerve or trachea) 4. The patient has clinical signs, imaging, or indirect laryngoscopy findings suggestive of locally advanced thyroid cancer (i.e. vocal cord paralysis or any clinical or radiographic signs of extrathyroidal invasion into adjacent structures such as the strap muscles of the neck, trachea or esophagus) 5. Known or suspected poorly differentiated or non-papillary thyroid cancer 6. Medically unfit for surgery due to co-morbidity 7. Another active malignancy with limited life expectancy of \< 1 year. 8. Pregnancy at the time of study enrollment. 9. Other absolute indication for thyroid or parathyroid surgery 10. Unable to provide informed consent for the study or comply with study follow-up procedures due to current severe active cognitive or psychiatric impairment, substance abuse, or other reasons.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.