Radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases.

BACKGROUND

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases has been observed in follow-up studies. The management of this condition remains controversial. Most studies support blind radioactive iodine treatment while others negate this approach.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Studies were obtained from computerised searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, China National Infrastructure (CNKI) and paper collections of conferences held in Chinese.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled clinical trials and prospective controlled clinical trials.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently extracted data and interviewed authors of all potentially relevant studies by electronic mail to verify randomisation procedures. One author entered data into a data extraction form and the second one verified the results of this procedure.

MAIN RESULTS

Because of the absence of any suitable randomised or prospective controlled trial in this area, results currently cannot be presented.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The currently available evidence is insufficient to reliably assess the potential of radioiodine treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases.