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irAE Thyrotoxicosis — SCE Medical Oncology MCQ

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ModerateImmunotherapy & Targeted TherapyirAE ThyrotoxicosisSCE Medical Oncology

A 62-year-old woman on nivolumab develops grade 2 immune-related thyrotoxicosis (suppressed TSH, elevated fT4). She is mildly symptomatic with palpitations. What is the management?

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Correct answer: DManage symptomatically with beta-blockers; continue nivolumab — ICI-related thyrotoxicosis is typically transient destructive thyroiditis that evolves to hypothyroidism

ICI-induced thyrotoxicosis is almost always destructive thyroiditis (not Graves' disease), caused by immune-mediated thyroid cell destruction releasing preformed thyroid hormone. It is self-limiting (typically 3-6 weeks) and evolves into hypothyroidism. Anti-thyroid drugs (carbimazole/methimazole) are ineffective for destructive thyroiditis (they inhibit new hormone synthesis, not hormone release). Management is symptomatic beta-blockers. ICI can be continued for grade 1-2 thyrotoxicosis. TSH monitoring guides levothyroxine initiation when hypothyroidism develops.

Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/cancer