Quality of Life in Patients With Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma After Total Thyroidectomy in Greece

Introduction: Well -differentiated thyroid cancer is among the most common types of endocrine cancer. Despite its increasing prevalence, the prognosis of thyroid cancer is rather good, with a five-year survival rate ranging between 80% and 90%, depending on the histological type. Not only the post -treatment complications and the side effects of the lifelong medication but also the possibility of a recurrence may have a negative impact on the patient's quality of life (QoL). Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of total thyroidectomy on the QoL of patients with well -differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Methods: A prospective study was performed in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy due to welldifferentiated thyroid carcinoma in the Otolaryngology -Head and Neck Surgery Department at the University Hospital of Larissa, Greece. The QoL was evaluated based on the "Quality of Life (Thyroid Version)" questionnaire. Results: One hundred patients participated in the study, with a mean age of 51.24 +/- 15.33 years. Of these, 63 (63%) were females and 37 (37%) were males. Social concerns, physical well-being, and psychological wellbeing presented a gradual positive alteration during the first 12 months after the surgery, with psychological well-being reporting the most significant progress of 15.3%. However, spiritual well-being appeared to decline over time. The younger patients progressively improved their physical, psychological, and mental well-being; however, the older patients showed an amelioration of their social skills. Female patients reported higher levels of spiritual well-being, whereas males developed better social skills. Conclusions: In the long term, total thyroidectomy can ameliorate patients' physical status, psychological well-being, and social concerns. However, it might have a negative effect on their mental health during the first 12 months postoperatively. In addition, QoL is directly influenced by demographic characteristics such as age and gender.