Fear of cancer recurrence in papillary thyroid cancer: a comparison across ATA risk groups and influencing factors.

Authors

Sabri Engin Altıntop, Tugba Barlas, Mehmet Muhittin Yalcin, Alev Eroglu Altinova, Mujde Akturk, Fusun Balos Toruner, Mehmet Ayhan Karakoc, Ethem Turgay Cerit

Published in

Endocrine. Volume 91. Issue 1. Jul 13, 2026. Epub Jul 13, 2026.

Abstract

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common concern among papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) survivors and may not reflect actual recurrence risk. This study aimed to assess FCR in low-risk PTC patients compared to intermediate- and high-risk groups and to identify factors influencing FCR.
A total of 240 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients were classified into low, intermediate, and high risk, according to the American Thyroid Association (ATA) 2015 risk stratification system. All participants completed the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) questionnaires.
Among 240 patients, 132 (55%) were classified as ATA low-risk, 86 (36%) as intermediate-risk, and 22 (9%) as high-risk. FCRI scores were similar among ATA low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients (p = 0.895). Patients with a disease duration of one to five years had higher FCRI scores compared to those with a disease duration of less than one year or more than five years (p = 0.03). A negative correlation was observed between age and FCRI score (r=-0.131, p = 0.043). In multivariable analysis, BAI score was positively associated with FCRI score (β = 1.33, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, disease duration, and anxiety severity, FCRI scores remained similar across ATA risk groups (p = 0.978).
FCR levels in low-risk patients were comparable to those in intermediate- and high-risk groups. These findings suggest that factors beyond objective disease risk, including anxiety severity, younger age, and disease duration, may contribute to FCR, underscoring the need for appropriate psychosocial assessment and support.

PMID:
42440008
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Jul 2026.

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