The Effectiveness of Radioactive Iodine Remnant Ablation for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#carcinoma-papillary #humans #iodine-radioisotopes #neoplasm-recurrence-local #radiosurgery

The Effectiveness of Radioactive Iodine Remnant Ablation for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Hu et al., 2016 | World J Surg | Meta Analysis

Citation

Hu Guangfu, Zhu Wei, ... Zhang Hongwei. The Effectiveness of Radioactive Iodine Remnant Ablation for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. World J Surg. 2016-Jan;40(1):100-9. doi:10.1007/s00268-015-3346-4

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of radioactive iodine (RAI) remnant ablation for thyroid cancer-related outcomes of patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). METHODS: A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE OvidSP, and EBSCO was conducted. Studies were selected that provided multivariable analysis of the effectiveness of RAI ablation or provided specific data of a 10 years history of thyroid cancer-related outcomes in patients that presented with PTMC. RESULTS: Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. A multivariable analysis of the effectiveness of RAI ablation for any recurrence or thyroid cancer-related mortality in patients with PTMC was performed in several studies, among which only one study reported a positive result. Furthermore, for PTMC patients treated by total or near-total thyroidectomy (TT/NT), with or without RAI ablative therapy, the meta-analysis suggested that RAI ablation did not decrease the 10 years history of any tumor recurrence (relative risk [RR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-1.48; P = 0.87), locoregional recurrence (RR 1.15; 95% CI 0.75-1.76; P = 0.51), distant metastases (RR 0.32; 95% CI 0.08-1.32; P = 0.11) or thyroid cancer-related mortality (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.22-2.63; P = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: With regard to multivariable analyses, there was almost no positive treatment effect of RAI ablation noted for patients with PTMC. For PTMC patients already treated by TT/NT, incremental RAI ablation may not be beneficial at decreasing the 10 years recurrence of PTMC or incidence of thyroid cancer-related mortality.

Key Findings

Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. A multivariable analysis of the effectiveness of RAI ablation for any recurrence or thyroid cancer-related mortality in patients with PTMC was performed in several studies, among which only one study reported a positive result. Furthermore, for PTMC patients treated by total or near-total thyroidectomy (TT/NT), with or without RAI ablative therapy, the meta-analysis suggested that RAI ablation did not decrease the 10 years history of any tumor recurre

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population papillary thyroid microcarcinoma
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Carcinoma, Papillary
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Radiosurgery
  • Thyroid Neoplasms
  • Thyroidectomy

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: iodine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09