Well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) is the most common type of endocrine cancer worldwide and its incidence is increasing. In the last decade, there has been several developments in the treatment of WDTC, many regarding 'de-escalation' of treatment for low-risk tumors. Some studies investigating the possibility of de-escalation of treatment for low-risk WDTC show promising results. However, other studies show opposing results. In the current literature regarding WDTC, the reported outcomes vary widely. This may have contributed to the contradictory conclusions. Furthermore, Inconsistent selection and reporting of outcomes limits the ability to adequately compare and
interpret study results. Therefore, we aim to reach a global consensus amongst patients, caregivers, researchers and physicians on the minimal Core Outcome Set that should be measured and reported in all future studies regarding WDTC.
On checking the COMET database, we found two relevant studies. Bitarafan et al (https://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/2192) developed a minimum data set for thyroid cancer registry in Iran to improve care and to revise related guidelines. L. J. Ioannou et al (https://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/2174)
published a protocol regarding the development of a binational thyroid cancer clinical quality registry with the aim of monitoring and improving the quality of care provided to patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer in Australia and New Zealand. While both studies are of utmost importance for improving the care of patients with thyroid cancer in Iran, Australia and New Zealand, we aim to reach a global consensus on the minimal Core Outcome Set that should be measured and reported in all future studies regarding WDTC. Therefore, we believe that our study will be a valuable addition to the current literature regarding well-differentiated thyroid cancer.
Drs. Daniël J. van de Berg
Dr. Joep P.M. Derikx
Dr. Anton F Engelsman
Prof. Els J.M. Nieveen van Dijkum
Prof. A.S. Paul van Trotsenburg
Disease Category: Cancer
Disease Name: Thyroid cancer
Age Range: Unknown
Sex: Either
Nature of Intervention:
- Clinical experts
- Consumers (caregivers)
- Consumers (patients)
- Patient/ support group representatives
- Researchers
- COS for clinical trials or clinical research
- COS for practice
- Consensus meeting
- Delphi process
- Focus group(s)
- Literature review
The Well-differentiated Thyroid Cancer Core Outcome Set (WDTC-COS) development will consist of three phases:
1. A literature review on outcome reporting in WDTC in order to indentify all outcomes reported in Randomized Controlled Trials, clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, retrospective studies and prospective studies regarding treatment interventions and prognoses of patients of all ages with thyroid cancer.
2. A 2-step/3-step Delphi procedure to identify a set of Core Outcomes.
3. An consensus meeting with international experts in the field of WDTC.
In development of the Delphi-study and writing of the final manuscript, we will adhere to the COS-STAD and COS-STAR methods, respectively.