Active surveillance of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

Active surveillance is an observational management being increasingly accepted as an alternative over immediate surgery due to low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with no evidence of extension or metastatic spread. Patients on active surveillance are observed with periodical ultrasound examinations and thyroid function tests. If disease progression is detected, patients are treated with surgery. The chances of thyroid cancer increased during the past 3 decades in many countries, mostly due to increased detection of small papillary thyroid carcinoma, without associated increase in mortality from thyroid cancer.