Information for Payors

Although well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) has a relatively high treatment success rate ^[1], cancer recurrence and resulting mortality are still concerns. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 22,000 new cases of thyroid cancer in 2003.^[1] Moreover, about 1,400 patients may die in 2003 from causes related to thyroid cancer.^[1] WDTC accounts for an estimated 75% of all thyroid cancer deaths.^[2]

As much as 30% of patients with WDTC will experience a recurrence even decades after initial treatment.^[3] One third of all WDTC recurrences may happen 10 years or more after initial treatment;^[3] therefore, even successfully treated patients may need decades of follow-up. Since early diagnosis and aggressive treatment can lower mortality rates,^[4] regular monitoring is important, and has the potential for improving quality and length of life and lowering WDTC disease-related costs.

Thyrogen^® is indicated for use as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for serum thyroglobulin (Tg) testing with or without radioiodine whole body scans (WBS) in the follow-up of patients with WDTC, and can be a valuable aspect of ongoing monitoring. As an alternative to testing with thyroid hormone withdrawal, testing with Thyrogen avoids the need for patients to stop taking their medications, thereby avoiding hypothyroidism and its associated problems.

In one clinical study, Tg levels were >/= 2.5 ng/mL in 69% (40/58) of patients after 2 doses of Thyrogen versus 45% who did not receive Thyrogen but who underwent thyroid hormone suppression therapy. In these same patients, adding WBS increased the detection rate of thyroid remnant or cancer to 84% (49/58) in patients treated with 2 doses of Thyrogen. In 35 patients with confirmed metastatic disease, Thyrogen-stimulated Tg was >/= 2.5 ng/mL in 100% of patients; this was only true for 79% of patients on THST who did not receive Thyrogen.^[5]

To date, an estimated 50,000 patients have received Thyrogen.^[6]

If you have questions about coverage you can call one of the distributors from our Thyrogen Distribution Network.

For more information, please see the full product information (PDF).

If you would like to request a reimbursement formulary kit, please call Medical Information at 1.800.745.4447, option #3.

If you would like to request a clinical information kit, please call Medical Information at 1.800.745.4447.

References

1. American Cancer Society. What are the key statistics for thyroid cancer? Available at http://www.cancer.org/eprise/main/docroot/CRI/content/
CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_key_statistics_for_thyroid_cancer_43 ? Accessed August 7, 2002.

2. Robbins R, Drucker W, Hann L, Tuttle RM. Advances in the detection of residual thyroid carcinoma. In: Pellitteri P, ed. Endocrine Surgery of the Head and Neck. 1st ed. San Diego, Calif: Singular Publishing Group;2001:277-294.

3. Tutle RM. Long Term Management and Follow-up in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Endocrine Surgery of the Head and Neck. Co-edited by Phillip K. Pelliteri and Thomas Vincent McCaffrey; DelMar Publishing: Albany, NY. 2003: Chapter 25: 227-234.

4. Mazzaferri EL, Kloos RT. Is diagnostic iodine-131 scanning with recombinant human TSH useful in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer after thyroid ablation? J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87:1490-1498.

5. Haugen BR, Pacini F, Reiners C, et al. A comparison of recombinant human thyrotropin and thyroid hormone withdrawal for the detection of thyroid remnant or cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84:3877-3885.

6. Data on file. Genzyme Corporation.