FAQs

Thank you for your interest. This study is still ongoing, but we have stopped recruiting new patients.

• Thyroid cancer develops in 5% of all thyroid nodules. Biopsy cannot always tell if a nodule is cancerous, but people can have molecular or gene testing to better determine the risk of cancer in their thyroid nodule.
• In recent decades, the number of people diagnosed with thyroid cancer has increased throughout the world.
• The most common type of thyroid cancer is papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Most patients diagnosed with this disease, particularly if diagnosed at an early stage, do not die of thyroid cancer.
• “Low-risk” means that your chance of having thyroid cancer recur or come back after treatment is low.
• People with this condition may have no symptoms at all or experience any of the following:
  • Changes in voice
  • Feeling a lump in the neck
  • Trouble swallowing

• When a thyroid nodule is biopsied, the pathologist cannot always tell if the nodules is benign (meaning no cancer) or malignant (meaning cancer is present). These nodules are considered “indeterminate.”
• Molecular or gene testing helps doctors estimate the risk that a nodule is cancer.
• Several different types of molecular or gene tests exists. Some examples are the Afirma® and the ThyroSeq® tests.

• Patients with low-risk thyroid cancer or findings suspicious for low-risk cancer often have more than one treatment option, but not always. Choosing the best treatment option for you is important.
• The available treatment options depend on the size of the thyroid nodule and many other factors like family history, presence of other nodules, thyroid function, history of radiation, age, and sex. These are just some of the factors that affect the treatment option.
• In general, patients can have surgery with removal of the entire thyroid (total or near-total thyroidectomy) or part of the thyroid (also called lobectomy, hemi-thyroidectomy, or partial thyroidectomy).
• Select patients also have the option of “active surveillance”. Active surveillance is when the healthcare team closely monitors the cancer over time and advises treatment if it becomes necessary.
• Some patients also have lymph node removal (sometimes called a central neck dissection).

Thank you for your interest. This study is still ongoing, but we have stopped recruiting new patients.

People without a definite diagnosis of thyroid cancer are eligible to participate. You are eligible even if your thyroid nodule is suspicious for thyroid cancer and your doctor provided you with a study brochure and passcode.

No, we want to measure how your priorities and outcomes change over time. We will send you the second survey approximately 9 months after you complete the first survey.

The CHOiCE study team will mail you a check after you complete each of the two surveys in the 9-month period.  You will receive $30 for completing the first survey and $45 for completing the second survey.  After you login to complete the study, you will securely provide your name and address for the study team.

• The CHOiCE Study team is led by Dr. Susan Pitt. To find out more about Dr. Pitt, click here.
• The CHOiCE Study team also includes:
  • Kyle Bushaw, MA – To find out more about Kyle Bushaw, click here.
  • Megan Saucke, MA – To find out more about Megan Saucke, click here.

Dr. Susan Pitt is an Endocrine Surgeon, Health Services Researcher, and Assistant Professor in the Division of Endocrine Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Pitt is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with thyroid cancer. To learn more about Dr. Pitt, click here.

For questions related to the study, please contact the study coordinator Kyle Bushaw at choicestudy@surgery.wisc.edu or (608) 265-2904.