Treatment of Follicular Thyroid Cancer with Lung Metastases
Clinical scenario
This protocol addresses follicular thyroid cancer presenting with pulmonary metastases — a recognised pattern of distant spread in this disease.
About this condition
The lung is a common site of thyroid cancer metastasis. The lesions are typically multiple and bilateral, ranging from a few millimetres to around 1 cm, and are often asymptomatic at presentation.
Approach overview
Depending on the extent and characteristics of the pulmonary lesions, localised interventional options may be considered for carefully selected patients — including those with limited metastatic burden or specific symptomatic lesions.
Full eligibility criteria, procedure selection, and the complete evidence-based regimen are available in the structured protocol below.
References
- The lung is a common site of TC metastasis. The lesions are usually multiple, bilateral, of varying size (from a few millimetres to 1 cm) and asymptomatic.
- Metastasectomy is not the standard approach for these lesions, but it may be considered for oligometastasis in patients with good performance status (PS) [V, C].
- RFA is also a possibility for solitary lesions or those causing a specific symptom due to their volume and location [V, C].
- RFA is considered for lesions <2–3 cm in patients not eligible for surgery or those requiring an extensive resection.