Clinical factors related to central compartment lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: clinical analysis of 117 cases

Abstract

To analyze the correlation of central compartment lymph node metastasis (CCLNM) with different clinical factors of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). 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. 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. CCLNM occurs more frequently in the PTMC patients who are younger than 43 years and in those who have larger tumor.