Search

Objective The objective of this prospective study was to assess longitudinal variations in health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) before and after thyroidectomy. Methods A cohort of 185 DTC patients who underwent thyroidectomy between January 2013 and December 2017 and who completed all necessary questionnaires was evaluated. Their HR-QOL was gauged using the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire (UW-QOL) and the City of Hope Quality of Life-Thyroid Version questionnaire (QOL-TV) both prior to surgery and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years postoperatively. Results Out of 185 patients, 150 (81.1%) were female, with an average age of 48.7 ± 12.9 years. For both UW-QOL and QOL-TV, the total composite QOL scores notably declined from preoperative levels to 3 months postoperatively, then gradually improved over 5 years, ultimately exceeding preoperative scores. Factors such as total thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation, and postoperative hypoparathyroidism were associated with lower physical composite QOL scores. Patients who underwent remote-access thyroidectomy expressed significantly higher satisfaction with appearance compared with those who had conventional thyroidectomy. Mood and anxiety were major clinical concerns both before and after surgery, showing considerable improvement postoperatively. Conclusion For DTC patients, HR-QOL experienced a significant drop 3 months postsurgery, subsequently showing gradual improvement, surpassing preoperative QOL by 5 years. Factors contributing to improved physical QOL included the utilization of remote-access thyroidectomy, less extensive thyroidectomy, and the absence of RAI ablation and hypoparathyroidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare surgical outcomes of transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA), concurrently compared with conventional transcervical thyroidectomy (CTT). A network meta‐analysis, comprising 23 studies, was performed in this study. The operative time of the CTT group was significantly shorter than that of the TOETVA and TORT groups. The hospital stay of the TOETVA group was significantly longer than that of the CTT group. Rates of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and total complications were higher in association with TOETVA than with TORT. No significant differences were found between the three groups in intraoperative blood loss, retrieved lymph nodes, postoperative pain, and other complications. Cosmetic satisfaction was significantly superior with TORT and TOETVA than with CTT. Compared with CTT, TOETVA and TORT showed superior cosmesis but no significant difference in surgical outcomes except for operative time and hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the swallowing outcomes after transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) and compare them with those of conventional transcervical thyroidectomy. Method: We enrolled 146 patients who underwent thyroidectomy (73 TORT; 73 conventional approach). We prospectively analyzed swallowing outcomes using the Swallowing Impairment Index‐6 (SIS‐6) questionnaire, a patient‐reported measure, before and 1, 3, and 6 days; 1, 3, and 6 months; and 1 year after surgery. Propensity score‐matched analysis was performed using three covariates: age, sex, and extent of thyroidectomy. Results: SIS‐6 scores worsened significantly immediately after surgery and progressively recovered 1 year postoperatively in both groups. Propensity score matching generated two matched groups of 22 patients each. In the propensity score‐matched samples, the SIS‐6 scores did not differ between the TORT and conventional groups, except at 1 day postoperatively. Conclusion: Patient‐reported swallowing outcomes of TORT were comparable to those of the conventional transcervical procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is closely associated with alcohol consumption and individual genetic susceptibility, such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This study aimed to investigate the association of ADH7 SNPs with the risk of HNSCC. Methods: We analyzed ADH7 rs1573496C>G, rs3737482T>C, rs1154460G>A, and rs284787T>C SNPs in 250 patients with HNSCC and 322 controls in the Korean populations. Genotyping was conducted using the TaqMan assay. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotypes were analyzed. Results: The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the CT and CC genotypes of ADH7 rs3737482T>C were 0.48 (0.29–0.78) and 0.69 (0.49–0.96), indicating a significantly decreased risk. In SNP of rs1154460G>A, the OR and 95% CI of the AA genotype was 1.63 (1.11–2.40), showing a significant increase in the risk. Furthermore, SNPs of ADH7 rs3737482T>C and ADH7 rs1154460G>A exhibit synergistic interactions with alcohol composition on the risk of HNSCC. None of the haplotypes were associated with the risk of HNSCC. Conclusions: ADH7 rs3737482T>C and rs1154460G>A SNPs are associated with the risk of development of HNSCC in Koreans. They could serve as molecular biological markers to screen high-risk groups for HNSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]