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Predictive Factors for Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

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Abstract

Background

Because lymph node (LN) metastasis has been proven to be a predictor for locoregional recurrence (LRR) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), better knowledge about the predictors for LN metastasis in PTMC is required.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 5656 PTMC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection and/or lateral neck dissection between January 1997 and June 2015.

Results

Male gender (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.332), conventional variant (adjusted OR 4.266), tumor size >0.5 cm (adjusted OR 1.753), multiplicity (adjusted OR 1.168), bilaterality (adjusted OR 1.177), and extrathyroidal extension (ETE) (adjusted OR 1.448) were independent predictors for high prevalence of central LN metastasis (CLNM), whereas per 10-year age increment (adjusted OR 0.760) and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (adjusted OR 0.791) were independent predictors for low prevalence of CLNM. In addition, male gender (adjusted OR 1.489), tumor size >0.5 cm (adjusted OR 1.295), multiplicity (adjusted OR 1.801), ETE (adjusted OR 1.659), and CLNM (adjusted OR 4.359) were independent predictors for high prevalence of lateral LN metastasis (LLNM), whereas per 10-year age increment (adjusted OR 0.838) was an independent predictor for low prevalence of LLNM. There was a statistically significant difference in LRR with regard to nodal stage (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Meticulous perioperative evaluation of LN metastasis is required for PTMC patients with the above predictors.

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Disclosure

The authors have nothing to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Seo Ki Kim MD, Inhye Park MD, Jun-Ho Choe MD, PhD, Jung-Han Kim MD, PhD & Jee Soo Kim MD, PhD

  2. Department of Surgery, Changwon Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Changwon, South Korea

    Jung-Woo Woo MD

  3. Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, South Korea

    Jun Ho Lee MD

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  1. Seo Ki Kim MD
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  2. Inhye Park MD
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Correspondence to Jee Soo Kim MD, PhD.

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Kim, S.K., Park, I., Woo, JW. et al. Predictive Factors for Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 23, 2866–2873 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-016-5225-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-016-5225-0

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