A prospective Canadian cohort (200 patients, median follow-up 71 months) assessed long-term outcomes of active surveillance (AS) for small, low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Among 1 55 patients choosing AS, 76% continued without progression or surgery. Durability varied by age: 5-year AS continuation rates were highest in patients ≥65 years ( 94.9% ), followed by 45–64 years ( 79.1% ), and lowest in those <45 years ( 58.5% ). No thyroid cancer–related deaths or distant metastases were observed.
The study highlights AS as a durable option, particularly for older patients with low-risk disease. To read more; Click here Should younger patients reconsider surgery over AS in low-risk PTC? ##Reference## Sawka, Anna M., et al. "Long-term durability of active surveillance of small, low-risk papillary thyroid cancer." JAMA surgery (2025)##
