TSJCI Annual Report 2021

Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute Annual Report 2021 12 Section 1.4 Endocrinology – Thyroid Cancers Introduction In 2005, the Endocrinology Service in St James’s Hospital commenced managing patients with differentiated thyroid cancer >1cm. Since then the service has increased fourfold to over 1,000 patients. 1.4.1 Key Developments during 2021 • In 2021, 74 new patients joined the existing cohort, all of whom require lifelong follow up due to the well documented risk of late recurrence. • The Endocrinology Service also provides clinical support to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, for post-transplant patients who require life-long follow up in the survivorship clinic. Radio-iodine Treatment • The Endocrinology Service manages radio-iodine treatment, which is reserved for high risk and selected intermediate risk thyroid cancer patients. Forty patients were admitted to the iodine suite for this treatment following MDT review in 2021. • The surveillance programme is a three-day assessment, offered to all patients who received radio-iodine with formal year one surveillance. 38 patients availed of this assessment in 2021 with the Endocrinology Service. • The application of dosimetry to radio-iodine delivery for thyroid cancer management was studied with 17 patients recruited to this PhD study and will have important clinical applications on publication. 1.4.2 Key Priorities for 2022 • 2022 will bring challenges to the Endocrinology Service as patient numbers grow, and complexity of referrals continuing to increase. • The Endocrinology Service will continue to strive to provide an excellent service by seeking support with a dedicated thyroid oncology nurse and a data manager.