Encapsulated papillary neoplasm of the thyroid: retrospective clinicopathological study with long term follow up.
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical course of patients with the encapsulated variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, in which there is a well-defined fibrous wall completely separating the tumour cells from the adjacent tissue.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
University hospital, Spain.


METHODS
Of a total of 163 patients whose papillary thyroid carcinomas were treated surgically between 1975 and 1985, there were 25 encapsulated tumours.


METHODS
Clinicopathological features and survival rate compared with those of non-encapsulated papillary thyroid carcinomas.


RESULTS
Mean follow up was 9 years (range 7-17), and 42 were excluded because follow up was incomplete. Encapsulated tumours differed from the earlier age of other types in that they presented earlier (mean age 36 years compared with 45), they were significantly less likely to have symptoms of compression (1/25 compared with 24/96, p = 0.024), or nodal metastases (3/25 compared with 43/96, p = 0.002), or to recur (0/25 compared with 33/96, p = 0.002). No patients died in the encapsulated group compared with 11/96 in the other group.


CONCLUSIONS
Encapsulated papillary carcinomas have an excellent prognosis, and can be cured by operation.
Moreno
A
A
Departments of Surgery, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain.
Rodriguez
J M
JM
Sola
J
J
Soria
T
T
Parrilla
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*