Barriers to the Use of Active Surveillance for Thyroid Cancer Results of a Physician Survey

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine physician-reported use of and barriers to active surveillance for thyroid cancer. Summary Background Data: It is not clear whether active surveillance for thyroid cancer is widely used. Methods: Surgeons and endocrinologists identified by thyroid cancer patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries of Georgia and Los Angeles County were surveyed between 2018 and 2019. Multivariable weighted logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine physician acceptance and use of active surveillance. Results: Of the 654 eligible physicians identified, 448 responded to the survey (69% response rate). The majority (76%) believed that active surveillance was an appropriate management option, but only 44% used it in their practice. Characteristics of physicians who stated that active surveillance was appropriate management, but did not report using it included more years in practice (reference group <10 years in practice): 10 to 19 years [odds ratio, OR 0.50 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.28-0.92]; 20 to 29 years [OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.15- 0.62)]; >30 years [OR 0.30 (95% CI 0.15- 0.61)] and higher patient volume 11 to 30 patients per year [OR 0.39 (95% CI 0.21-0.70)] and >50 patients per year [OR 0.33 (95% CI 0.16-0.71)] compared to < 10, with no significant difference in those seeing 31 to 50 patients. Physicians reported multiple barriers to implementing active surveillance including patient does not want (80.3%), loss to follow-up concern (78.4%), more patient worry (57.6%), and malpractice lawsuit concern (50.9%). Conclusion and Relevance: Despite most physicians considering active surveillance to be appropriate management, more than half are not using it. Addressing existing barriers is key to improving uptake.

Automated summary

Despite the belief among most physicians that active surveillance is an appropriate management option for thyroid cancer, only a minority of them actually use it in their practice. Barriers reported by physicians include patient resistance, concerns about loss to follow-up, patient anxiety, and worries about medical malpractice lawsuits. Addressing these barriers is crucial for improving the uptake of active surveillance.