34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

In human medicine, the choice of medical terminology influences patients’ choice of management options and associated anxiety levels in relation to small papillary thyroid cancers. The objective of this study was to determine the association of client’s treatment choices and anxiety levels with the terminology used to describe the condition in canine patients.

Methods:

This randomized prospective study surveyed 683 people over 18 years old between March 6-November 24, 2022. Respondents were asked to rank their treatment preference (total thyroidectomy, active surveillance, medical therapy, or radiation therapy) following a diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), thyroid papillary lesion (TPL), or abnormal cells (AC) in their canine pet. Respondents were asked to state their level of anxiety associated with the diagnosis and treatment choice.

Results:

Of 683 respondents, 622 (91.7%) were female and the mean (SD) age was 51.3 (14.5) years.  When presented with a diagnosis of PTC, TPL or AC, 78.1%, 57.3% and 38.2% of clients respectively reported being anxious or very anxious about this diagnosis (p <2.2e-16). Surgery was chosen as a first choice treatment for PTC, TPL and AC by 71.8%, 39.6% and 53.8% of respondents respectively, whereas active surveillance was chosen as a first choice treatment by 24.5%, 57.8% and 43.9% of respondents respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in first choice treatment selection (p=3.803e-11) and anxiety levels related to treatment (p=2.333e-06) between the three diagnoses.

Conclusions:

Consideration of terminology used when presented a diagnosis of PTC may promote less invasive treatment options and decrease owner anxiety surrounding diagnoses.