Updated Review of Nuclear Molecular Imaging of Thyroid Cancers

Objectives: We initiate this comprehensive review to update the advances in this field by objectively elucidating the efficacies of promising radiopharmaceuticals. Methods: We performed a comprehensive PUBMED search using the combined terms of thyroid cancer and radiopharmaceuticals or nuclear medicine, yielding 3273 and 11026 articles prior to December 31, 2020, respectively. Results: Based on the mechanism of molecular metabolism, the evaluation of differentiated thyroid cancer and dedifferentiated thyroid cancer is largely centered around radioiodine and fluorine 18 (F-18)-fludeoxyglucose, respectively. Further, F-18-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine and gallium 68 DOTATATE are the preferred tracers for medullary thyroid cancer. In dedifferentiated medullary thyroid cancer and anaplastic thyroid cancer, F-18-fludeoxyglucose is superior. Conclusions: The future lies in advances in molecular biology, novel radiopharmaceuticals and imaging devices, paving ways to the development of personalized medication for thyroid cancer patients. (C) 2020 AACE. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This review focuses on the evaluation of differentiated and dedifferentiated thyroid cancer, centering around radioiodine and fluorine 18-fludeoxyglucose respectively. Preferred tracers for medullary thyroid cancer include F-18-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine and gallium 68 DOTATATE. In dedifferentiated medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer, F-18-fludeoxyglucose is superior.