Unraveling thyroid cancer management: from molecular insights to clinical practice

Thyroid Research is calling for submissions to our Collection on Unraveling thyroid cancer management: from molecular insights to clinical practice. 

The management of thyroid cancer has become an increasingly complex challenge in recent years. The significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms driving tumor genesis, proliferation, and survival represents a substantial leap forward. This enhanced knowledge has not only advanced our comprehension of clinical behavior but has also underscored the need for a personalized approach to address the diverse challenges presented by thyroid cancer.

The rise in thyroid cancer incidence over the past decade, coupled with the generally less aggressive clinical profiles of many cases, has led scientific societies and physicians to adopt a more individualized and nuanced approach to manage thyroid cancer cases. The current landscape of thyroid cancer treatment is not uniform across all patients. Active surveillance is gaining prominence as a therapeutic strategy for low risk differentiated thyroid cancers. In low to intermediate risk cases, recommendations lean towards less aggressive surgical interventions and the judicious use of radioiodine. Additionally, innovative and highly selective therapies have emerged, offering promising options for distant metastatic cases and anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Also, the treatment paradigm for medullary thyroid cancer is undergoing notable changes. Less aggressive surgical approaches are no longer banned, particularly in unifocal sporadic cases. Conversely, in advanced cases, highly effective therapies with a specific focus on targeting RET mutations are now available and can be utilized in a neoadjuvant setting.

This articles collection aims to delve into the nuances of thyroid cancer management, including all its aspects, from basic studies with reflexes on clinical practice to clinical studies highlighting therapeutic attitudes that have been implemented or are currently being incorporated into clinical practice.