Incidental papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid--factors affecting lymph node metastasis.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the overall excellent prognosis for patients with thyroid papillary microcarcinoma (PMC), these tumors are associated with lymph node metastasis. The aim of this study is to identify the rate of lymph node metastasis and evaluate the clinical and pathological factors affecting metastasis in thyroid PMC.


METHODS
Among 475 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma treated between 1990 and 2003, 81 patients (17%) were diagnosed as PMC and the records of these patients were evaluated retrospectively. Clinicopathologic features were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.


RESULTS
According to age, metastases, extent, and size risk definition, all patients were in low-risk group. Lymph node metastases were determined in 12.3% of patients. Mean follow-up was 7 years (range from 28 to 192 months). Ten-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 97 and 100%, respectively. Both multifocality and thyroid capsular invasion were found to be independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis by multivariate analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with thyroid PMC in low-risk group with multifocal tumors and with capsule invasion may have increased risk of lymph node metastasis, and must be considered in follow-up of the patients who have these factors.
Gülben
Kaptan
K
kgulben@yahoo.com
Berberoğlu
Uğur
U
Celen
Orhan
O
Mersin
Hüsnü H
HH
D000231:Adenocarcinoma, Papillary / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018265:Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D055815:Young Adult
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