This study analyzed factors affecting local recurrences in AGES low risk papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).

The clinical records of 89 patients who underwent thyroidectomy because of PTC were reviewed. Seventy patients had belonged to low risk PTC according to the AGES classification scheme. The clinical data of these patients concerning disease recurrence was analyzed considering age, gender, operative methods, tumor size, lymph node (LN) metastasis, postoperative radioactive iodine scan (RI scan ¹³¹I), and Synthyroid® intake.

Of the 70 patients, 56 were female (80%). Thirtyseven patients underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck LN dissection and 33 patients underwent partial thyroidectomy with ipsilateral central neck LN dissection. Mean tumor size was 2 cm (0.4~6 cm) and 31 patients had LN metastasis. Levels were <1µg/L in all patients who underwent total thyroidectomy but were 1~10µg/L in patients who received partial thyroidectomy thyroglobulin. Local recurrencein AGES low risk papillary carcinomas was significantly associated with tumor size >2 cm (P=0.030) and partial thyroidectomy (P=0.045). There was no significant association between local recurrence and age, gender, extrathyroidal extension, LN metastasis, RI scan ¹³¹I, or Synthyroid® intake.

Partial thyroidectomy and tumor size >2 cm are significantly associated with local recurrence in AGES low risk papillary thyroid carcinomas.