Risk Factors for and Prediction Model of Skip Metastasis to Lateral Lymph Nodes in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background

Cervical lymph node metastasis is a prognostic factor of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Skip metastasis (central lymph node negative and lateral lymph node positive) of PTC is not uncommon. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the risk factors for skip metastasis in PTC and develop a prediction model for skip metastasis.

Methods

A total of 745 PTC patients underwent total thyroidectomy and central plus lateral lymph node dissection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2012 to December 2017. Clinicopathological characteristics were collected and analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to detect the risk factors for skip metastasis. A prediction model was established based on the results of multivariate analyses.

Results

The skip metastasis rate was 9.7% (72/745). Age > 55 years (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.34–5.04, p = 0.004), tumor located in the upper portion (OR 4.15, 95% CI 2.30–7.63, p = 0.001), and unilaterality (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.14–8.23, p = 0.040) were independent risk factors for skip metastasis. Clinically lymph node-negative (cN0) patients with tumor in the upper portion (24.6%, 43/175) had higher possibility of skip metastasis than those of clinically lateral lymph node-positive (cN1b) patients (5.9%, 10/169) (p = 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of prediction model was 0.734 and 0.740 in derivation group and validation group, respectively. However, skip metastasis was not associated with tumor-free survival rate of PTC patients (p = 0.274).

Conclusion

Age > 55 years, tumor located in the upper portion, and unilaterality may increase the risk of skip metastasis. We developed the first prediction model for skip metastasis based on clinicopathological parameters in PTC patients.

     

Prospective Outcomes of Selective Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Based on Preoperative Ultrasonography

Background  Although many patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) display associated cervical lymph node metastases (LNM), the optimal extent of lymph node dissection (LND) remains a matter of debate. Since 1993, we have performed cervical LND based on the preoperative suspicion of LNM by ultrasonography (US). We prospectively analyzed the outcomes of our “selective” LND to determine when prophylactic lateral neck dissection is advisable. Methods  Prospective analysis was conducted for 361 consecutive patients with PTC who received initial surgery between 1993 and 2001. Mean duration of follow-up was 8.1 years. Dissection of the central compartment only was performed for patients with LNM in the central zone only and for patients with no LNM detected by US (Group A). Modified radical lateral neck dissection (MND; combined with central compartment dissection) was performed for patients diagnosed with lateral neck LNM (Group B). Results  Pathological LNM was found in 136 of 231 patients in Group A (59%). As for the accuracy of US diagnosis, positive predictive value was 82%. Nodal recurrences, occurring all in the lateral cervical region associated with one case of contralateral paratracheal region, was seen in 18 patients (8%) and 10-year nodal disease-free survival was 91%. Univariate analysis revealed true positive diagnosis by US, large primary tumor (≥4 cm), primary tumor located in the upper part of the thyroid lobe, presence of distant metastasis, extrathyroidal invasion of the primary tumor, and a poorly differentiated component of the primary tumor as significant risk factors for nodal recurrence. Among the risk factors that could be diagnosed preoperatively, distant metastasis (risk ratio, 46; p = 0.01) and large primary tumor (risk ratio, 3.6; p = 0.03) were the most important factors under multivariate analysis. Of the other 130 patients in Group B, only 3 patients had no pathological LNM (positive predictive value, 98%). Twenty-six patients (20%) developed nodal recurrence, with a 10-year nodal disease-free survival of 76%. Age (50 years or older), large nodal metastasis (≥3 cm), extrathyroidal invasion, and higher serum thyroglobulin level (≥320 ng/ml) represented significant factors for nodal recurrence. Conclusions  When preoperative US shows no LNM or indicates only LNM in the central compartment, dissection of the central compartment alone offers a sufficient alternative to routine prophylactic MND. However, patients with PTC demonstrating large primary tumor and/or distant metastasis were high-risk for recurrence in the lateral cervical compartment. We recommend prophylactic MND to reduce nodal recurrence for those patients.     

Nodal recurrence in the lateral neck after total thyroidectomy with prophylactic central neck dissection for papillary thyroid cancer

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine risk factors for nodal recurrence in the lateral neck (NRLN) in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) who underwent total thyroidectomy with prophylactic central neck dissection (TT + pCND).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with PTC who underwent TT + pCND. Data of all patients treated over a 10-year period (between 1998 and 2007) were analysed. The primary outcome was prevalence of NRLN within the 5-year follow-up after initial surgery. Predictors of NRLN were determined in the univariable and multivariable analysis.

Results

Of 760 patients with PTC included in this study, 44 (6.0 %) developed NRLN. In the univariable analysis, the following factors were identified to be associated with an increased risk of NRLN: positive/negative lymph node ratio ≥0.3 (odds ratio (OR) 14.50, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 7.21 to 29.13; p?<?0.001), central lymph node metastases (OR 7.47, 95 % CI 3.63 to 15.38; p?<?0.001), number of level VI lymph nodes <6 in the specimen (OR 2.88, 95 % CI 1.21 to 6.83; p?=?0.016), extension through the thyroid capsule (OR 2.55, 95 % CI 1.21 to 5.37; p?=?0.013), localization of the tumour within the upper third of the thyroid lobe (OR 2.35, 95 % CI 1.27 to 4.34; p?=?0.006) and multifocal lesions (OR 1.85, 95 % CI 1.01 to 3.41; p?=?0.048).

Conclusions

Central lymph node metastases together with positive to negative lymph node ratio ≥0.3 represent the strongest independent prognostic factors for the PTC recurrence in the lateral neck.     

Is central neck dissection necessary for the treatment of lateral cervical nodal recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma?

BACKGROUND: Although the pattern of cervical lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has been described, little is known about the pattern of lateral cervical nodal recurrence. The aim of this study was to establish the optimal strategy for neck dissection in patients who underwent reoperation for lateral cervical recurrence of PTC. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 22 patients who underwent neck dissection for lateral nodal recurrence of thyroid cancer between 2002 and 2004. Eight patients had thyroid remnants or recurrent tumors in the bed and 6 had undergone lateral neck dissection prior to referral. Patients underwent comprehensive dissection of the posterolateral and ipsilateral (n = 10) or bilateral (n = 12) central neck. The pattern of nodal recurrence and postoperative morbidity were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients had lateral compartment involvement, 91% at mid-lower, 45% at upper, and 18% at posterior sites. Central nodes were involved in 86% of patients: 82% at ipsilateral paratracheal, 32% at pretracheal, 27% at superior mediastinal, and 2 patients at contralateral sites. Skip lateral recurrence with no positive central nodes was rarely observed (14%). Postoperative vocal cord palsy (n = 1) and hypoparathyroidism (n = 5) developed only in patients undergoing bilateral central compartment dissection. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of comprehensive ipsilateral central and lateral neck dissection in the reoperation for patients with lateral neck recurrence of PTC is an optimal surgical strategy.     

影响甲状腺乳头状癌颈侧淋巴结转移的高危因素

目的探讨影响甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)颈侧淋巴结转移的高危因素。方法选择2011-01-2018-03间在云浮市人民医院接受手术的120例PTC患者,对其临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 120例患者中颈侧淋巴结转移82例,其中79例(96.3%)为中央区转移、3例(3.7%)为侧颈部淋巴结转移。PTC颈侧淋巴结转移的发生与性别、原发病灶大小、肿瘤位置、合并结节性甲状腺肿、合并桥本甲状腺炎等因素密切相关(P<0.05)。结论 PTC颈侧淋巴结转移高发人群为男性,肿瘤的大小、位置、合并结节性甲状腺肿、合并桥本甲状腺炎,均为影响PTC颈侧淋巴结转移的高危因素。     

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??Correlative factors of lymph node metastasis in central region and cervical region of papillary thyroid carcinoma LU Xiu-bo. Department of Thyroid Surgery??the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052,China
Abstract Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor of endocrine tumors. The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing in recent years. Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) accounts for about 95% of all thyroid cancers, with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accounting for more than 90% of DTC. Most PTCs grew slowly, but cervical lymph node metastasis occurred early. Neck lymph node metastasis is the main reasons for the high recurrence rate and low survival rate of thyroid cancer patients. Therefore, it is very important to explore the risk factors of lymph node metastasis. The article analyzed the risks of lymph nodes metastasis by reviewing the related literature. The results show that tumor diameter, age, gender, extrathyroid extension, BRAFV600E mutation are the risks factor for lymph node metastasis of lateral and central neck.     

低位领式切口保留颈丛择区性颈侧方淋巴结清扫术在甲状腺乳头状癌中的应用

目的 总结低位领式切口保留颈丛的择区性颈侧方淋巴结清扫术（颈清术）在甲状腺乳头状癌中的应用和经验.方法 2011年1月至2013年8月对66例乳头状癌患者行全甲状腺切除和低位领式切口保留颈丛的择区性颈清术.结果 Ⅵ区淋巴结转移率为69.7％,颈侧方淋巴结（Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴb）转移率为72.7％,主要集中在Ⅲ和Ⅳ.患者术后无明显下颈部、耳部和肩部感觉异常,随访1 ～ 30个月无局部复发.结论 临床怀疑或穿刺证实颈侧方淋巴结转移的乳头状癌患者,在没有广泛淋巴结转移（Ⅴa转移）或淋巴结明显外侵的情形下,低位领式切口保留颈丛的择区性颈清术良好的兼顾了肿瘤根治和功能外观,是一种安全而合理的术式.     

Lateral Cervical Lymph Node Metastases from Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Pattern of Nodal Metastases and Optimal Strategy for Neck Dissection

Background The pattern of lateral cervical metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has been reported without a clear understanding of the distribution of central nodes at risk. The present study evaluated the pattern of central and lateral cervical metastases from PTC with respect to recently defined neck sublevels and subsites. Methods Between 2003 and 2006, 52 consecutive patients with lateral cervical metastases from previously untreated PTC underwent total thyroidectomy and therapeutic comprehensive neck dissection of the central and lateral compartments, including five bilateral neck dissections. Neck dissection specimens were separately obtained for analyzing lymph node involvement with respect to neck sublevels and subsites. Results For the lateral compartment, 75.9% of cases showed metastatic disease at level IV, 72.2% at IIa and III, 16.7% at IIb, 13.0% at Vai, 3.7% at Ib and Vb, and 0% at Vas. For the central compartment, 84.6% of cases showed metastatic disease at the ipsilateral paratracheal nodal site, 46.2% at the superior mediastinal, 30.8% at the pretracheal, and 8.9% at the contralateral paratracheal site. Forty-six of 57 lateral neck dissection samples (80.7%) showed multilevel disease, and skip lateral metastasis was found in five patients (9.6%). Level I and V involvements were always associated with multilevel disease. Conclusions Lateral cervical metastasis from PTC is commonly associated with multilevel disease and central nodal involvement. Neck dissection including ipsilateral central and lateral compartments may be the optimal treatment for these patients.     

甲状腺乳头状癌术中喉前及气管前淋巴结联合冷冻病理检测的临床价值

目的:探讨甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)术中喉前淋巴结(DLN)及气管前淋巴结(PLN)联合冷冻病理检测的临床价值。方法:收集2015年1月—2016年12月昆明医科大学第二附属医院甲状腺乳腺外科术前经细针穿刺活检明确诊断并接受首次手术治疗的245例PTC患者的临床资料,患者均行DLN与PLN术中冷冻病理检测,并根据DLN与PLN转移情况选择手术方式。结果:245例患者术中冷冻病理均发现DLN与PLN,淋巴结数目2～11枚,126例(51.43%)发现DLN与PLN转移。术后病检气管旁淋巴结转移165例,侧颈区淋巴结转移62例。76例行单侧腺叶及峡部全切+患侧中央区淋巴结清扫,42例行全甲状腺切除+患侧中央区淋巴结清扫,101例行全甲状腺切除+双侧中央区淋巴结清扫,26例行全甲状腺切除+双侧中央区淋巴结清扫+侧颈区清扫。统计分析表明包膜侵犯是DLN与PLN转移的独立风险因素(OR=9.62,P=0.021)。结论:DLN与PLN可作为PTC前哨淋巴结,其转移与气管旁淋巴结转移、侧颈区淋巴结转移密切相关。术中行DLN与PLN联合冷冻病理检测有助于选择最佳手术方式,实现对PTC更加精准的治疗。     

Lymph node metastasis between the sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients: A prospective study at multiple centers

BackgroundThe lymph nodes between the sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle (LNSS) are not explicitly mentioned in the 2015 American Thyroid Association and 2008 American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) guidelines, but they are easily overlooked in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). We prospectively evaluated the clinical significance of the LNSS in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients.MethodIn five medical centers, two hundred and thirty-four PTC patients with lateral neck metastasis who underwent 264 neck dissection were enrolled in this study. LNSS was resected and used as a specimen to investigate the relationship of LNSS with several clinicopathological parameters.ResultOf the 264 lateral neck dissections, the average lymph node metastasis rate of LNSS was 23.48%, significantly second only to that in level III (p<0.05). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that a patient age over 45 years (OR 2.155, 95% CI 1.191 to 3.898, p = 0.011), with a tumor located in the inferior lobe of the thyroid (OR 1.517, 95% CI 1.113 to 2.068, p = 0.008), and LN metastasis at levels IIb (OR 2.298, 95% CI 1.121 to 4.712, p = 0.020) and level III (OR 2.408, 95% CI 1.222 to 4.745, p = 0.011) were independent risk factors for LNSS lymphatic metastasis.ConclusionThe LNSS has a high metastatic rate and is easily overlooked. Additional attention should be paid to LNSS, especially in patients over 45 years old and with PTC located in the thyroid’s inferior lobe.     

Clinical and Imaging Assessment of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas

Background  

The goals of this study were to analyze clinical factors that affect cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) of the neck.     

Risk factors for lateral lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma in children

IntroductionLateral cervical lymph node metastases (LNM) for pediatric patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a poor prognostic factor. We aimed to identify risk factors for lateral LNM.MethodsThis retrospective study had included 48 pediatric patients with papillary thyroid cancer underwent total thyroidectomy and central cervical lymphadenectomy at K hospital from 2016 to 2020.ResultsThe number of patients in each T stage was as follows: 24 (50.0%) in stage 1, 9 (18.7%) in Stage 2, 8 (16.7%) in Stage 3, and 7 (14.6%) in Stage 4. Most of the patients had LNM with N1a and N1b rates of 83.3% and 62.5%, respectively. Lung metastases were observed at presentation in three patients (6.3%). Univariate analysis revealed that age (p = 0.021), male (p = 0.011), tumor size > 10 mm (p = 0.002), multifocality (p < 0.001), extrathyroidal extension (p = 0.001) and central LNM (p < 0.001) were factors that increase the risk of metastasis to lateral LNM.ConclusionApproximately 62.5% of pediatric patients with PTC exhibited lateral LNM at the time of diagnosis. Our study confirmed that multifocality, maximum tumor diameter, extrathyroidal extension and central LNM were independent risk factors for lateral LNM in pediatric PTC.Level of EvidenceLevel IV.     

Contribution of Computed Tomography to Ultrasound in Predicting Lateral Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background

To evaluate the most accurate criteria using ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in predicting lateral lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

A total of 122 lateral cervical lymph nodes of 113 patients diagnosed with PTC underwent preoperative US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) and CT. Degree of enhancement (DOE) was calculated by the differences of Hounsfield units (HU) between the lymph node and the ipsilateral sternocleiomastoideus muscle. Standard reference was set by surgical pathology results. Diagnostic performances of US, CT, and cutoff value for DOE were analyzed.

Results

Seventy lymph nodes (57.4%) were metastases, and 52 (42.6%) were benign. The cutoff value of DOE on CT was 35.7 HU. Diagnostic performance of CT including DOE of 35.7 HU was lower than US, but without significance (P = 0.321). When any suspicious CT feature was combined with the combination of suspicious US features, values of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve decreased compared to the combinations of suspicious US features alone, 0.785 to 0.741, respectively (P = 0.225).

Conclusions

Contrast-enhanced CT does not greatly improve diagnostic values of US in the diagnosis of metastatic lateral cervical lymph nodes in patients with PTC.     

The Association Between Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis and the Progress of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Background

Whether chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) influences the risk of development and the progression of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains uncertain. We investigated the effects of CLT on the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of PTC.

Methods

Two thousand nine hundred twenty-eight consecutive patients with PTC treated between 2009 and 2017 were divided into two groups: one with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and one without; 1174 (40%) of the patients had coincident CLT.

Results

In univariate analysis, CLT correlated positively with small tumor size, frequent extrathyroidal extension, multifocal diseases, and p53 but negatively with central lymph node (LN) metastasis and BRAF mutation. In multivariate analysis, CLT was associated with extrathyroidal extension and multifocal disease; however, it was not a prognostic factor for recurrence even though it was associated with two aggressive factors. Compared with patients with PTC alone, there were more retrieved central LNs in the PTC + CLT group, and these patients also underwent more invasive diagnostic tests such as fine needle aspiration cytology and frozen biopsy of LN.

Conclusions

The CLT patients with PTC had better behavior features and prognoses than did those with PTC alone despite frequent multifocality and extrathyroidal extension. However, precaution may be necessary to avoid performing invasive diagnostic procedures for lateral LN metastasis and to manage the patients appropriately.

     

Lymph Node Recurrence in Patients With N1b Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Who Underwent Unilateral Therapeutic Modified Radical Neck Dissection

Background  

Therapeutic modified radical neck dissection (MND) is a mandatory surgical procedure for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) having clinical lateral node metastasis (N1b). However, N1b PTC is still likely to recur in regional lymph nodes after surgery. We investigated the clinicopathological features predicting recurrence in nodes in previously dissected compartments (ipsilateral lateral compartment or central compartment) and nodes in the contralateral lateral compartment for N1b patients who underwent unilateral therapeutic MND.     

云南省单中心279例甲状腺乳头状癌再手术原因分析

目的:探讨甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)再手术患者复发原因及影响因素。方法:回顾性分析2007年1月—2016年6月间昆明医科大学第一附属医院甲状腺疾病诊治中心279例行再手术的PTC患者临床资料。结果:279例患者中,残余甲状腺复发156例(55.9%),淋巴结转移215例(77.1%),后者包括中央区135例(48.4%)和侧方151例(54.1%)。统计分析显示,女性、≥45岁是残余甲状腺复发的独立危险因素(均P0.05);未行中央区淋巴结清扫(CND)、初次手术行于县级医院是中央区淋巴结转移的独立危险因素(均P0.05);男性、初次术式为甲状腺全切或近全切(TT/NTT)、CND为侧方淋巴结转移的独立危险因素(均P0.05)。初次手术后中位复发时间专业甲状腺中心为33个月,主要为侧方(26.8%)和中央区淋巴结转移(42.9%);省级医院为24个月,主要为中央区区淋巴结转移(32.8%)和残余甲状腺复发(29.9%);地州级24个月、县级12个月,主要原因为残余甲状腺复发(36.7%,45.9%)。再次手术后,158例获随访10~123个月,死亡1例(0.4%)、永久性声音嘶哑7例(4.4%)、永久性低钙血症19例(12.0%)、131I治疗失分化9例(5.7%),复发22例(13.9%)。结论:非专科手术和不规范的术式导致PTC术后甲状腺和淋巴结转移率增高从而再手术的主要原因;选择单侧腺叶切除或TT/NTT+病灶同侧/双侧CND和/或加行侧方淋巴结清扫可有效降低复发率。再次手术患者永久性手术并发症和失分化发生率均较高,故应在初始治疗中采取规范化治疗方案,减少复发风险。     

甲状腺乳头状癌颈侧区淋巴结跳跃性转移危险因素分析

目的 探讨甲状腺乳头状癌（PTC）病人颈侧区淋巴结跳跃性转移的规律（中央区淋巴结无转移而颈侧区淋巴结有转移）及其主要危险因素。方法 回顾性分析2017年1月至2019年10月就诊于郑州大学第一附属医院甲状腺外科行手术治疗并经术后病理学检查证实有侧区淋巴结转移的275例PTC病人的临床资料,分析跳跃性转移的危险因素。结果 颈侧区淋巴结跳跃性转移的发生率为13.1%（36/275）,肿瘤位于上极（OR 2.780,95%CI 1.270～6.083;P=0.011）,年龄（OR 1.077,95%CI 1.039～1.116;P<0.001）,单侧癌（OR 2.459,95%CI 1.094~5.529;P<0.001）是PTC病人出现跳跃性转移的独立危险因素。ROC曲线显示,预测跳跃性转移的最佳年龄界值为48.5岁（敏感度=0.556,特异度=0.753,曲线下面积=0.680,P=0.001）。跳跃性转移病人检出的中央区淋巴结个数及颈侧区淋巴结转移个数与非跳跃性转移病人相比均较少。结论 PTC病人颈侧区淋巴结跳跃性转移并不少见,对肿瘤位于腺体上极,年龄≥48.5岁,单侧癌的病人应仔细评估,必要时可行颈侧区淋巴结清扫术。     

Clinical Significance of Delphian Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background

Delphian lymph node (DLN) metastasis has long been considered a prognostic marker of head and neck malignancy. These days, the significance of DLN in thyroid cancer has come to the fore. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical significance of DLN metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

Patients and methods

The study was carried out between July 2009 and December 2011, and DLN was detected in 245 of 898 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral central compartment neck dissection. In those 245 patients DLN status was correlated with clinical and pathologic factors, including age, gender, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and central and lateral nodal metastasis.

Results

DLN metastasis was found in 20 % of the patients studied (49 of 245), and DLN metastasis was correlated with tumor size, multicentricity, bilaterality, and LVI excluding ETE (all p < 0.05). The proportion of male patients was higher in the DLN metastasis positive group than in the DLN metastasis negative group (34.7 vs. 13.3 %; p < 0.05). Most of the patients (95.9 %) with DLN metastasis had other central neck node metastasis, and the metastatic central lymph node ratio was higher (0.38 ± 0.23 versus 0.09 ± 0.16; p < 0.001) and lateral neck node metastasis was more common (2.6 vs. 32.7 % <0.001) than in patients without DLN metastasis. For central and lateral compartment nodal metastasis, DLN status had sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 100, 37.4, 58.1, and 100 %, and 85.3, 76.2, 97.4, and 32.7 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the factors affecting DLN involvement were tumor size and LVI. Patients with positive DLN were ~1.6 times more likely to have further central compartment disease and 3.6 times more likely to have lateral compartment disease.

Conclusions

DLN metastasis in patients with PTC is related to a number of poor prognostic factors. Furthermore DLN involvement implies that the patients are predicted to have heavy burden of central neck node metastasis and are more likely to have further lateral neck node metastasis. It is recommended that DLN is evaluated and dissected in all patients with thyroid cancer. If DLN metastasis is suspected, the surgeon should thoroughly dissect the central neck compartment and pay particular attention to the lateral lymph node compartments.     

Central lymph node metastasis of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma: patterns and factors predictive of nodal metastasis, morbidity, and recurrence

Background  

Although subclinical cervical lymph node (LN) metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are common, the efficacy of prophylactic central LN dissection (CLND) is unclear. Few prospective studies have assessed the relationships between complete pathologic information regarding tumors and metastatic nodes in the central compartment. We therefore investigated the pattern and predictive indicators of central LN metastasis, morbidity, and recurrence in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and prophylactic CLND for unilateral PTC and clinically node-negative neck (cN0) disease.     

T1-T2期单侧甲状腺乳头状癌伴同侧颈侧区淋巴结转移时甲状腺原发灶切除范围研究进展

甲状腺乳头状癌（PTC）伴侧颈淋巴结转移并不少见。对于单侧TNM T1-T2期PTC伴同侧颈侧区淋巴结转移者,如不存在淋巴结结外侵犯或转移淋巴结直径≥3 cm等危险因素,甲状腺癌原发灶切除范围的选择存在争议。对于此类病人,甲状腺癌原发灶的切除范围的选择应综合考虑到甲状腺腺体重要的内分泌功能、颈侧区淋巴结转移对预后的影响以及中危组病人为了术后碘治疗而行全甲状腺切除术的必要性。未来对于颈侧区淋巴结转移的病人,应在进行精准的危险分层之后对甲状腺原发灶的切除范围做出合理的选择。