Background and Objective: Patient experience is greatly influenced by physician-patient communication. Yet, unmet communication needs continue to be well documented in patients with thyroid cancer. This review discusses factors that may impact this communication and presents communication interventions that are currently being used with thyroid cancer patients. Methods: A narrative review of articles on the physician-patient relationship and communication in thyroid cancer published between 1985 and 2022 was conducted through PubMed and Google. An additional review of the articles referenced in the bibliography of the included articles was performed. Key Content and Findings: This review discusses communication components impacting the patient-physician relationship including physician communication skills and patient communication priorities. Additionally, modern communication interventions such as the use of pamphlets, decision aids, and multimedia platforms are reviewed. Conclusions: Developing a strong physician-patient relationship is a complex process influenced by verbal, paraverbal, and nonverbal communication. Tools such as communication training for physicians, shared decision-making approaches, and multimedia platforms have shown promise in improving communication between physicians and patients. Further study into the barriers of communication, effectiveness of adjunct tools, and patient satisfaction as it relates to communication will continue to improve outcomes.

: Thyroid ablation techniques, both thermal and chemical, have emerged as minimally invasive therapeutic tools to treat benign and malignant disease in the appropriate setting. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), in particular, has seen recent international adoption, and offers a targeted approach to thyroid nodules in patients who may decline or are considered high risk for surgery. This review provides a summary of updated evidence for the efficacy and safety of RFA across benign and malignant pathologies of the thyroid gland. The most robust data available pertains to the use of RFA in benign, non-functional thyroid nodules, in which RFA reliably results in significant volume reduction associated with improvement in compressive and/or cosmetic concerns. Autonomously functional nodules may also be targets for RFA. However, as the ability to achieve durable euthyroidism is variable and potentially more successful in smaller nodules, RFA may be a more appropriate second line therapeutic approach in this population, Ablation of recurrent well-differentiated malignancy can be offered for patients who are ineligible for surgery, particularly those with isolated, low volume lesions. Due to anatomic changes resulting from prior surgery and the typical location of recurrent disease, advanced techniques are often required to minimize complications in this context. The role of RFA in primary cancer is still being explored, and, to date, has been described most extensively in papillary microcarcinoma. Overall, the application of this technology differs according to the clinical context, and a comprehensive understanding of the indications, considerations, and expectations in each setting are critical to appropriate patient selection and successful procedural execution.

Background and Objective: Discussion of iodine in endocrine practice is usually reserved to its role in thyroid hormonogenesis. The involvement of iodine in other organs such as breast, placenta, parotid and skin and in the environment is less well understood. The aim of this review is to present data on roles for iodine in thyroidal and extra thyroidal functions and in the wider environment. Methods: Sources of iodine, dietary supplementation and its assessment will be examined. The role of iodine deficiency and excess and its relevance to thyroid function in pregnancy and the neonate and in thyroid cancer will be described. Extrathyroidal actions of iodine in breast, parotid and skin as well as the possible association of diseases of the breast with iodine intake and thyroid disorders explored. Finally, the important role in influencing weather patterns in seaside areas of gaseous iodine arising from seaweeds and potentially affecting iodine intake in populations residing in coastal communities is discussed. Key Content and Findings: In addition to considering the well documented areas of iodine deficiency, excess and iodine supplementation, this review will look at iodine involvement in other organs such as the breast, placenta parotid and skin. The importance in iodine assessment of defining the urinary iodine (UI) cut off point to avoid inappropriate iodine supplementation will be emphasised. In particular, the role of iodine in breast physiology, pathology and possible therapy and in placental function will be described. Finally, the important role in influencing weather patterns of iodine released by seaweeds in coastal areas and potentially affecting iodine intake in coastal communities is discussed. Conclusions: Hopefully this review, by providing a more complete picture of thyroidal and extrathyroidal interactions will increase the appetite for looking at iodine involvement in other tissues and its possible relationship to thyroidal and extrathyroidal disorders.

The Annals of Thyroid publishes Original Articles, Editorials, Case Reports and Reviews on all aspects of thyroid, covering hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and other thyroid problems including thyroid cancer.

Background: Although the hungry bone syndrome (HBS) is a well-established thyroidectomy hypocalcemic complication in Graves’ disease, other etiologies of hypocalcemia after thyrotoxicosis treatment are rare. We aimed to report the first case of persistent hypocalcemia after thyrotoxicosis factitia treatment.

Abstract: Thyroid cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy during pregnancy (after breast cancer), with 14 cases per 100,000 pregnancies. It is always a challenge for clinicians, requiring special consideration and attention for both the patient and her developing child. The main protocols for diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer in pregnancy are the same as in cases diagnosed in the rest of the population, with some restrictions: administration of radioactive iodine (RAI) as a part of therapy is forbidden. There are many aspects that should be discussed regarding thyroid malignancy during pregnancy, such as the timing of surgery, systemic therapy for thyroid cancer during pregnancy and the effect of pregnancy on thyroid cancer outcomes. The influence of RAI ablative therapy and therapy with levothyroxine (LT4) after thyroid cancer treatment should be considered in relation to possible future pregnancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the recent literature and guidelines regarding thyroid malignancy in pregnancy, and to provide answers to these questions.

Abstract: An autonomous robot is able to perceive its environment, make decisions and plans, then execute multi-step functions. Although surgical robotic technologies are widely accepted, robotic autonomy has not made its way into the operating rooms of today. As a result, robotic automation is an unfamiliar topic for most surgeons. In this review, we define the spectrum of robotic autonomy, provide a review of key components required for autonomy, and discuss some of the ways in which autonomy may be applied to endocrine surgery in the future. The integration of advanced imaging and surgical environment perception could augment surgical visualization and lead to the development of advanced semi-autonomous and autonomous robotic algorithms. The hope is that advanced robotic surgical technologies can make robotic surgeries safer, more efficient, precise and allow for greater patient access to advanced surgical expertise.