Papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid gland: analysis of prognostic factors including histological subtype.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prognosis of papillary microcarcinoma (PMC) of the thyroid.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Teaching hospital, Italy.


METHODS
89 patients treated for papillary micro carcinoma of thyroid and followed up for at least 6 years (range 6-12).


METHODS
Total thyroidectomy and, for lymph node metastases, laterocervical lymphadenectomy.


METHODS
Sex distribution, mode of onset of disease, diameter of tumour, histological type, histological stage, presence of lymph node metastases at the time of operation and type of operation.


RESULTS
When the disease presented with laterocervical lymph nodes it was histologically more aggressive and included follicular (n = 3) and sclerosing (n = 4) types.


CONCLUSIONS
Papillary microcarcinoma has an excellent prognosis if managed initially by total thyroidectomy.
Falvo
Laura
L
Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. laurafalvo@mclink.it
D'Ercole
Claudia
C
Sorrenti
Salvatore
S
D'Andrea
Vito
V
Catania
Antonio
A
Berni
Alberto
A
Grilli
Paola
P
De Antoni
Enrico
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy