Decreasing use of radioactive iodine for low-risk thyroid cancer in California, 1999 to 2015

Abstract

Context: Routine radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation for low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is not supported by current practice guidelines. Objective: To assess recent stage-specific trends in use of RAI ablation. Design, Setting, and Patients: Retrospective study of patients with DTC (1999 to 2015) identified from the California Cancer Registry. Statistical analysis included standardized differences, P values, and multivariable analyses using RAI as the predictor variable. Main Outcome Measures: Trends and drivers of RAI ablation for low-risk DTC. Results: Of 46, 906 patients with DTC who underwent near-total or total thyroidectomy [mean age 48.2 6 15.5 (standard deviation) years, 77% female), 25, 457 (54%) received RAI. The proportion of patients with regional/distant disease who received RAI remained stable at 68%. Use of RAI for patients with localized disease (no extrathyroidal extension, lymph node, or distant metastases) decreased from 55% (1999) to 30% (2015), with the most substantial change occurring in tumors <1 cm (39% to 11%). The rate also decreased for localized tumors between 1 and 2 cm (62% to 34%) and 2 and 4 cm (67% to 49%) and remained stable at 59% for tumors >.4 cm. In multivariable analyses, patients with localized disease were less likely to receive RAI if they were >65 years old [odds ratio (OR) 0.77, 95%confidence interval (CI): 0.71 to 0.83], had tumors<1 cm(OR 0.33, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.35), or were treated in an academic hospital (OR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.75). Conclusions: The rate of RAI ablation decreased over time, mainly attributable to decreased use for localized DTCs <2 cm. Many patients with low-risk DTC still receive RAI unnecessarily.