[Clinical factors related to central compartment lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: clinical analysis of 117 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the correlation of central compartment lymph node metastasis (CCLNM) with different clinical factors of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).


METHODS
117 patients of PTMC, 27 males and 90 females, aged 45 (16 - 68), underwent total thyroidectomy (or lobectomy) and central compartment lymph node dissection with or without lateral neck dissection. The correlation of CCLNM with age, sex, tumor size, tumor capsule, multifocality, and extrathyroid extension was analyzed.


RESULTS
CCLNM was found in 42 of the 117 patients with the mean age of 40 +/- 9, significantly lower than that of the patients without CCLNM [(45 +/- 10), P < 0.05], and with the median tumor diameter of 0.75 cm, significantly longer than that of the patients without CCLNM (0.70 cm, P < 0.05). Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that age and tumor size were significantly correlated with CCLNM (both P < 0.05). Classification tree analysis showed that the CCLNM rate of the patients younger than 43 was significantly higher than that of the patients older than 43. Sex, tumor capsule, multifocality, and extrathyroid extension were not associated with CCLNM.


CONCLUSIONS
CCLNM occurs more frequently in the PTMC patients who are younger than 43 years and in those who have larger tumor.
Shao
Yan
Y
Department of Head & Neck and Plastic Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.
Cai
Xiu-Jun
XJ
Gao
Li
L
Li
Hua
H
Xie
Lei
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult