Ablation rate after radioactive iodine therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer at intermediate or high risk of recurrence: a systematic review and a meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adenocarcinoma #humans #iodine-radioisotopes #neoplasm-recurrence-local #retrospective-studies

Ablation rate after radioactive iodine therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer at intermediate or high risk of recurrence: a systematic review and a meta-analysis

Klain et al., 2021 | Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging | Meta Analysis

Citation

Klain Michele, Nappi Carmela, ... Cuocolo Alberto. Ablation rate after radioactive iodine therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer at intermediate or high risk of recurrence: a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2021-Dec;48(13):4437-4444. doi:10.1007/s00259-021-05440-x

Abstract

PURPOSE: We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis to investigate the successful ablation rate after radioiodine (RAI) administration in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) at intermediate-high risk of recurrence. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. RESULTS: The final analysis included 9 studies accounting for 3103 patients at intermediate-high risk of recurrence. In these patients, the successful ablation rates ranged from 51 to 94% with a 71% pooled successful ablation and were higher in intermediate (72%) than in high (52%)-risk patients. Despite the rigorous inclusion standards, a significant heterogeneity among the evaluated studies was observed. Higher administered RAI activities are associated with a lower successful ablation rate in the whole population and in the subgroup of high-risk patients. Furthermore, pooled recurrence rate in intermediate-risk patients achieving successful ablation was only 2% during the subsequent 6.4-year follow-up while the pooled recurrence rate was 14% in patients who did not achieve a successful ablation. CONCLUSION: In a large sample of 3103 patients at intermediate-high risk of persistent/recurrent disease, 71% of patients achieved a successful ablation. In these intermediate-risk patients, the probability of subsequent recurrence is low and most recurrence occurred in those with already abnormal findings at the first control.

Key Findings

The final analysis included 9 studies accounting for 3103 patients at intermediate-high risk of recurrence. In these patients, the successful ablation rates ranged from 51 to 94% with a 71% pooled successful ablation and were higher in intermediate (72%) than in high (52%)-risk patients. Despite the rigorous inclusion standards, a significant heterogeneity among the evaluated studies was observed. Higher administered RAI activities are associated with a lower successful ablation rate in the whol

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population differentiated thyroid cancer
Sample Size 3103
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Retrospective Studies
  • 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