IARC scientists present to the Italian Senate a new report on thyroid cancer care in Italy

A new report, led by scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in collaboration with endocrinologists, endocrine surgeons, public health professionals, and health policy experts in Italy, has been released to address the growing challenges posed by thyroid diseases in Italy. The report, Gestione del carcinoma della tiroide in Italia, emphasizes the large magnitude of overdiagnosis and overtreatment of thyroid cancer in the country. The report was presented to the Italian Senate on 19 February 2025.

The report aims to create a shared foundation for constructive dialogue among all health-care system stakeholders, advocating for a culture of systematic evaluation and continuous improvement in health-care services. Moving beyond a simple snapshot of the current situation, the report also emphasizes the need to avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment, which lead to aggressive treatments, physical and psychological harms, and a financial burden for individuals and health-care systems.

The report also highlights the often-overlooked aspect of patient quality of life in health-care assessments, marking a significant innovation in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment pathways. By prioritizing the lived experiences of patients, the report calls for a more holistic approach to assessing health-care effectiveness, rather than relying solely on clinical outcomes.

Novelli G, Bellantone R, Crescenzi A, Dal Maso L, Durante C, Filetti S, et al.
Thyroid cancer monitor. Management of thyroid cancer in Italy: a snapshot of a complex and evolving disease
Published on 19 February 2025

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