European Thyroid Journal (Aug 2023)

2023 European Thyroid Association Clinical Practice Guidelines for thyroid nodule management

  • Cosimo Durante,
  • Laszlo Hegedüs,
  • Agnieszka Czarniecka,
  • Ralf Paschke,
  • Gilles Russ,
  • Fernando Schmitt,
  • Paula Soares,
  • Tamas Solymosi,
  • Enrico Papini

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1530/ETJ-23-0067
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 5
pp. 1 – 22

Abstract

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With the widespread use of sensitive imaging techniques, which include neck visualization, a conspicuous number of thyroid nodules emerge and demand attention. Most lesions are benign, asymptomatic, and do not warrant treatment. In the case of cancer diagnosis, most are small, intrathyroidal and indolent neoplasms that can safely be managed conservatively. There is a pronounced need for more cost-effective, risk-adapted approaches to the management of this highly prevalent condition, taking the wishes of the patient into consideration. Thus, the present guidelines aim at providing a clinical practice guide for the initial workup and the subsequent management of adult individuals harboring thyroid nodules. Importantly, these guidelines are not intended to cover the management of thyroid malignancy. The manuscript and the specific recommendations were developed by reconciling the best available research evidence with the knowledge and clinical experience of the panelists and updating aspects of a number of previous European Thyroid Association guidelines.

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