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Yoo, Kim, Mun, Kim, Chang, Min, Kim, Cho, and Kim: Clinicopathologic Findings of Micropapillary Carcinomas, according to Tumor Size
Original Article
Journal of the Korean Surgical Society

Journal of the Korean Surgical Society 2009; 76(6): 348-354.

Published online: 1 June 2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4174/jkss.2009.76.6.348

Clinicopathologic Findings of Micropapillary Carcinomas, according to Tumor Size

Young Sun Yoo, M.D., Sung Soo Kim, M.D., Seong Pyo Mun, M.D., Kyung Jong Kim, M.D., Jeong Hwan Chang, M.D., Young Don Min, M.D., Seong Hwan Kim, M.D., Hyun Jin Cho, M.D., Kweon Cheon Kim, M.D.

Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.

Corresponding author (mdkckim8@hanmail.net)

Received 18 November 2008       Accepted 18 March 2009

Copyright © 2009 The Korean Surgical Society

Abstract

Purpose

Papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC), which are not palpable and have no clinical symptoms are 1.0 cm or less in diameter. The optimal extent of thyroid tumor resection has been controversial. We investigated clinicopathological findings of PTMC of 5 mm or less in diameter for reasonable therapeutic approach.

Methods

From, Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2006, 366 patients underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid papillary carcinoma at our institution. Among these patients, 62 patients with a mass measuring less than 5 mm and 103 patients with a mass 5 mm to 1.0 cm were selected. We retrospectively reviewed their medical records.

Results

There was no significant difference on the clinical characteristics except multifocality. We performed more unilateral lobectomy, near total thyroidectomy with or without neck node dissection in patients with PTMC of less than 5 mm (P=0.13). In permanent biopsy, lymph node metastasis more frequently occurred in patients with PTMC of less than 5 mm (P=0.03). There were no differences in capsular invasion, distant metastasis or recurrence.

Conclusion

In papillary thyroid microcarcinoma less than 0.5 cm, it is very uncommon for capsular invasion, distant metastasis and locoregional metastasis to exist. The extent of tumor resection may be limited less than near total thyroidectomy for suitable cases, because there was no locoregional metastasis or distant metastasis in the follow-up period. Longer follow-up periods would be required to confirm that limited surgery is sufficient for tumors less than 0.5 cm in size.

Keywords: Papillary thyroid carcinoma, Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, Tumor size

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
The total number of papillary carcinoma and micropapillary carcinoma.
jkss-76-348-g001
Table 1
Clinical characteristics of patients
jkss-76-348-i001

*NS = not significant.

Table 2
Surgical procedure on patients
jkss-76-348-i002
Table 3
Pathological characteristics of patients
jkss-76-348-i003

*NS = not significant.

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