# Physicians’ preferencesfor radioiodine treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer in Brazil: an observational study

## TL;DR

This study explores how Brazilian physicians decide to use radioiodine treatment for thyroid cancer and finds significant variation in their preferences.

## Contribution

The study identifies variability in radioiodine treatment preferences among Brazilian physicians and highlights the need for a national consensus.

## Key findings

- There was considerable variability in radioiodine recommendations across three hypothetical patient cases.
- Physicians' training background influenced their preferences for radioiodine treatment indications.
- The study emphasizes the need for a Brazilian consensus on treating differentiated thyroid cancer.

## Abstract

The aim of this observational, cross-sectional study was to investigate physicians’ preferences for radioiodine (RAI) treatment in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in Brazil and the factors influencing RAI indications.

A survey was distributed to physicians potentially involved in DTC care in Brazil to understand the factors influencing RAI indications. The survey collected information on the profiles of the physicians, along with the characteristics of their workplaces and their preferences regarding RAI indications in three hypothetical clinical cases. Cases 1, 2, and 3 described the cases of patients with DTC and variations to the case that included different scenarios to assess how the respondents would change their RAI recommendations. The analysis included the RAI indications across different medical specialties.

A total of 175 physicians answered the survey. There was considerable variability in RAI recommendations in all three cases. The training background influenced the respondents' preferences for RAI indications and their approaches to preparing patients for RAI treatment.

The findings of this study reaffirm the need for a Brazilian consensus among physicians across multiple specialties to help guide health care professionals treating patients with DTC in Brazil.