The American Thyroid Association (ATA) Guidelines Taskforce has developed guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. The guidelines cover various aspects of diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management, including: 1. **Thyroid Nodules:** - **Evaluation:** Laboratory studies, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA), and thyroid ultrasound are recommended for initial evaluation. - **Follow-up and Treatment:** Long-term follow-up, medical therapy, and considerations for pregnancy are discussed. 2. **Differentiated Thyroid Cancer:** - **Initial Management:** Goals include complete tumor removal, minimizing morbidity, accurate staging, and facilitating postoperative radioiodine therapy. - **Surgery:** Recommendations for surgical options, including lobectomy, near-total thyroidectomy, and total thyroidectomy, are provided. - **Postoperative Staging Systems:** AJCC/UICC TNM staging is recommended for all patients. - **Radioiodine Remnant Ablation:** Indications, preparation, and considerations for activity levels and low-iodine diets are discussed. - **Thyroid Hormone Suppression Therapy:** Recommendations for initial and maintenance dosing are provided. - **Adjunctive Treatments:** External beam irradiation and chemotherapy are considered for specific cases. 3. **Long-Term Management:** - **Risk Stratification:** Guidelines for follow-up intensity based on risk factors. - **Thyroglobulin Measurements:** Utility and recommendations. - **Imaging Techniques:** Role of diagnostic scans, ultrasound, and other imaging. - **Thyroxine Suppression Therapy:** Recommendations for long-term management. - **Metastatic Disease:** Management strategies for locoregional and distant metastases. - **Complications:** Considerations for complications of radioactive iodine treatment. The guidelines aim to provide a comprehensive framework for the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer, emphasizing evidence-based approaches and clinical judgment.The American Thyroid Association (ATA) Guidelines Taskforce has developed guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. The guidelines cover various aspects of diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management, including: 1. **Thyroid Nodules:** - **Evaluation:** Laboratory studies, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA), and thyroid ultrasound are recommended for initial evaluation. - **Follow-up and Treatment:** Long-term follow-up, medical therapy, and considerations for pregnancy are discussed. 2. **Differentiated Thyroid Cancer:** - **Initial Management:** Goals include complete tumor removal, minimizing morbidity, accurate staging, and facilitating postoperative radioiodine therapy. - **Surgery:** Recommendations for surgical options, including lobectomy, near-total thyroidectomy, and total thyroidectomy, are provided. - **Postoperative Staging Systems:** AJCC/UICC TNM staging is recommended for all patients. - **Radioiodine Remnant Ablation:** Indications, preparation, and considerations for activity levels and low-iodine diets are discussed. - **Thyroid Hormone Suppression Therapy:** Recommendations for initial and maintenance dosing are provided. - **Adjunctive Treatments:** External beam irradiation and chemotherapy are considered for specific cases. 3. **Long-Term Management:** - **Risk Stratification:** Guidelines for follow-up intensity based on risk factors. - **Thyroglobulin Measurements:** Utility and recommendations. - **Imaging Techniques:** Role of diagnostic scans, ultrasound, and other imaging. - **Thyroxine Suppression Therapy:** Recommendations for long-term management. - **Metastatic Disease:** Management strategies for locoregional and distant metastases. - **Complications:** Considerations for complications of radioactive iodine treatment. The guidelines aim to provide a comprehensive framework for the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer, emphasizing evidence-based approaches and clinical judgment.