Clinical and histological characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: results of a retrospective study in 243 patients.
BACKGROUND
The recognition of thyroid microcarcinoma has increased due to the widespread use of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to describe histological and clinical characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) less than or equal to 1 cm.


METHODS
This study was a retrospective cohort.


METHODS
This study was conducted at a university hospital endocrine clinic.


METHODS
Over a 9-yr period, 243 consecutive patients with PTMC were studied.


RESULTS
PTMC was an incidental finding at surgery in 21.4% of the PTMC cases. There were no differences in the clinical characteristics between those with incidental PTMC and those with suspected thyroid carcinoma. None of the patients with a cancer less than 8 mm had distant metastases, whereas distant metastases were observed in patients with cancers >/= 8 mm (P </= 0.05). Disease-related mortality was not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
PTMC is prevalent in the population. Among patients with PTMC, tumor size more than 8 mm is associated with more aggressive disease.
Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Boston Medical Center, 88 East Newton Street, Evans 201, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA. elizabeth.pearce@bmc.org
Elio
E
Roti
Roberta
R
Rossi
Giorgio
G
Trasforini
Fiorenza
F
Bertelli
Maria Rosaria
MR
Ambrosio
Luciano
L
Busutti
Elizabeth N
EN
Pearce
Lewis E
LE
Braverman
Ettore C
EC
Degli Uberti
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013965:Thyroidectomy
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes