J Korean Med Assoc.  2016 Apr;59(4):287-293. 10.5124/jkma.2016.59.4.287.

Management of long-term thyroid cancer survivors in Korea

• Lee JE
• Goo A
• Lee KE
• Park DJ
• Cho B

• KMID: 2161709
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2016.59.4.287

Abstract

Recently, thyroid cancer survivors are rapidly increasing in Korea, up to 21% of 1,234,879 total cancer survivors in 2012. The survival rate after thyroid cancer treatment is high, but many of the survivors suffer from fatigue, depressive mood and anxiety. Rarely, thyroid cancer treatment can result in long-term complications such as voice change and hypocalcemia. Thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression for preventing recurrence of thyroid cancer might lower bone density and increase risk of cardiovascular diseases including atrial fibrillation. For thyroid cancer survivorship care-management of such long-term complications, comorbid conditions and psychosocial problems, second primary cancer screening, promotion of healthy behaviors, support for family caregivers, role of primary care physicians is important. Systematic shared care between oncologists and primary care physicians is expected. And further research to generate evidence regarding effective management of thyroid cancer survivors is needed.

Keyword

Thyroid neoplasms; Survivors; Long-term care; Physicians, primary care

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Atrial Fibrillation
Bone Density
Cardiovascular Diseases
Caregivers
Fatigue
Humans
Hypocalcemia
Korea*
Long-Term Care
Mass Screening
Neoplasms, Second Primary
Physicians, Primary Care
Recurrence
Survival Rate
Survivors*
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Neoplasms*
Thyrotropin
Voice
Thyrotropin

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