Endocrinol Metab.  2021 Apr;36(2):359-364. 10.3803/EnM.2020.890.

Protocol for a Korean Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance or Surgery (KoMPASS) in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

• Jeon MJ
• Kang YE
• Moon JH
• Lim DJ
• Lee CY
• Lee YS
• Kim SW
• Kim MH
• Kim BH
• Kang HC
• Shong M
• Cho SW
• Kim WB

• KMID: 2515462
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2020.890

Abstract

Background
A Korean Multicenter Prospective cohort study of Active Surveillance or Surgery (KoMPASS) for papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs) has been initiated. The aim is to compare clinical outcomes between active surveillance (AS) and an immediate lobectomy for low-risk PTMCs. We here outline the detailed protocol for this study.
Methods
Adult patients with a cytopathologically confirmed PTMC sized 6.0 to 10.0 mm by ultrasound (US) will be included. Patients will be excluded if they have a suspicious extra-thyroidal extension or metastasis of a PTMC or multiple thyroid nodules or other thyroid diseases which require a total thyroidectomy. Printed material describing the prognosis of PTMCs, and the pros and cons of each management option, will be provided to eligible patients to select their preferred intervention. For the AS group, thyroid US, thyroid function, and quality of life (QoL) parameters will be monitored every 6 months during the first year, and then annually thereafter. Disease progression will be defined as a ≥3 mm increase in maximal diameter of a PTMC, or the development of new thyroid cancers or metastases. If progression is detected, patients should undergo appropriate surgery. For the lobectomy group, a lobectomy with prophylactic central neck dissection will be done within 6 months. After initial surgery, thyroid US, thyroid function, serum thyroglobulin (Tg), anti-Tg antibody, and QoL parameters will be monitored every 6 months during the first year and annually thereafter. Disease progression will be defined in these cases as the development of new thyroid cancers or metastases.
Conclusion
KoMPASS findings will help to confirm the role of AS, and develop individualized management strategies, for low-risk PTMCs.

Keyword

Active surveillance; Watchful waiting; Thyroid cancer; papillary; Cohort studies; Comparative study

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flow diagram of the study process. PTMC, papillary thyroid microcarcinoma; US, ultrasound; CT, computed tomography; AS, active surveillance; QoL, quality of life; CND, central neck dissection; Tg, thyroglobulin; TgAb, anti-Tg antibody.

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