Radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases.

Background: Differentiated thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases has been observed in follow-up studies. The management of this condition remains controversial. Most studies support blind radioactive iodine treatment while others negate this approach.

Objectives: To assess the effects of radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases.

Search Strategy: Studies were obtained from computerised searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, China National Infrastructure (CNKI) and paper collections of conferences held in Chinese.

Selection Criteria: Randomised controlled clinical trials and prospective controlled clinical trials.

Data Collection And Analysis: Two authors independently extracted data and interviewed authors of all potentially relevant studies by electronic mail to verify randomisation procedures. One author entered data into a data extraction form and the second one verified the results of this procedure.

Main Results: Because of the absence of any suitable randomised or prospective controlled trial in this area, results currently cannot be presented.

Authors' Conclusions: The currently available evidence is insufficient to reliably assess the potential of radioiodine treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases.