ObjectiveTo explore the value of active surveillance (AS) with ultrasound for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) tumor growth.MethodsA retrospective collection of 196 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2014 to December 2018 were pathologically diagnosed as PTMC, and no cervical lymph node metastasis was found on ultrasound, and AS was performed. According to the change of the maximum diameter of the nodule, the patients were divided into the maximum diameter increase group, the maximum diameter stable group and the maximum diameter reduction group. According to the nodule volume change, the patients were divided into the volume increase group, the volume stable group and the volume reduction group. The differences in the patients’ gender, age, with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, follow-up time, tumor size, boundary, shape, echo, aspect ratio, calcifications, multifocality, bilateral involvement, other nodule, surrounding tissues and cervical lymph nodes among the different groups were analyzed in order to clarify the related factors of tumor growth.ResultsOne hundred and ninety-six patients had ultrasound AS time ranging from 6 to 79 months with the median (quartile) time were 16.0 (10.0, 30.0) months. One hundred and seventeen patients (59.7%) were in AS for 6 to 63 months with the median (quartile) time were 13.0. (8.0, 22.0), surgical treatments were performed after termination of AS. Forty-five patients (23.0%) continued to perform AS, 34 patients (17.3%) did not continue to perform AS in West China Hospital of Sichuan University. There was no significant reduction in the maximum diameter and volume of the nodules in all cases. Among them, 9 cases (4.6%) had an increase in the maximum diameter of the nodules, and 187 cases (95.4%) had a stable maximum diameter. Forty cases (20.4%) had an increase in the volume of the nodules, and 156 cases (79.6%) had a stable volume of the nodules. Comparison of the maximum diameter change of nodules between the two groups, there was a significant difference in the age of patients (P<0.05). Comparison of the maximum volume change between the two groups, there were significant differences in age, follow-up time and initial nodule volume (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that younger age was an independent risk factor for PTMC nodule growth [OR＝0.638, 95%CI (0.601, 0.675), P＝0.015].ConclusionsYounger age is a risk factor for PTMC tumor growth. We should adopt a more active monitoring program for younger patients. The increase of PTMC tumor volume can be more easily monitored than the increase of its maximum diameter, so it can be used as an indicator to predict nodule growth at an earlier stage in AS.
ObjectiveTo explore the role of preoperative evaluation indicators for decision-making on treatment modalities in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) with intermediate- and high-risk. MethodThe recent pertinent literatures on studies of risk factors influencing PTMC were collected and reviewed. ResultsThe surgical treatment was advocated for the PTMC with intermediate- and high-risk. However, the intraoperative surgical resection range and the postoperative prognosis of patients were debated. The malignancy of cell puncture pathology was a key factor in determining the surgical protocol. The patients with less than 45 years old at surgery, male, higher body mass index, higher serum thyrotropin level, and multifocal and isthmic tumors, and nodule internal hypoecho, calcification, unclear boundary, and irregular morphology by ultrasound, as well as mutations in BRAFV600E and telomerase reverse transcriptase gene were the risk factors for preoperative evaluation of PTMC with intermediate- and high-risk. ConclusionsAccording to a comprehensive understanding of preoperative risk factors for PTMC with intermediate- and high-risk, it is convenient to conduct an accurate preoperative evaluation and fully grasp the patients’ conditions. Clinicians should formulate individualized surgical treatment plans for patients based on preoperative assessment and their own clinical experiences.
Objective To explore the risk factors the central cervical lymph node micrometastasis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Methods PTMC patients who underwent surgical operations in West China Hospital, Sichuan University between January 2014 and December 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. The patient did not find lymph node metastasis in the central cervical area by preoperative ultrasound. During the operation, the central cervical lymph node of the affected side was dissected or lymph node dissection in the central area of the affected side of the neck plus the lateral area of the neck. With postoperative pathology as the gold standard, patients were divided into central cervical lymph node micrometastasis group (micrometastasis group) and central cervical lymph node non-metastasis group (non-metastasis group). The differences of clinical features and ultrasonic signs between the two groups were analyzed. Results A total of 507 patients were included, including 223 (44.0%) in the micrometastasis group and 284(56.0%) in the non-metastasis group. The results of univariate analysis showed that compared with the non-metastasis group, the patients in the micrometastasis group were younger, the tumor size were higher, the proportion of male, multifocality, bilateral involvement and thyroid capsular invasion were higher. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that lower age [odds radio (OR)=0.967, 95% confidence interval (CI)(0.949, 0.985), P<0.001], male [OR=2.357, 95%CI (1.503, 3.694), P<0.001)], a larger maximum diameter of PTMC [OR=1.232, 95%CI (1.100, 1.379), P<0.001], a larger nodule volume of PTMC [OR=1.031, 95%CI (1.008, 1.114), P=0.032], multifocal lesion [OR=2.309, 95%CI (1.167, 4.570), P=0.016] and invasion of the thyroid capsule [OR=1.520, 95%CI (1.010, 2.286), P=0.045] were independent risk factors for central cervical lymph node micrometastasis. Conclusions The patient’s male, young age, PTMC nodule with large maximum diameter and large volume, multifocal, and invasion of the thyroid membrane are risk factors for the central cervical lymph node micrometastasis of PMTC patients. These clinical and ultrasound signs can provide a theoretical basis for doctors’ clinical management decisions.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress in the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) , and provide rationalized treatment strategies for patients with PTMC. MethodsRetrieved and reviewed relevant literatures about the treatment of PTMC in recent years both at home and abroad. ResultsLow-risk and high-risk PTMC differ markedly in biological characteristics and prognosis and should be treated differently. For high-risk PTMC, surgery is the primary treatment, supplemented by endocrine and radioiodine therapy. Various options are available for low-risk PTMC, including surgery, active surveillance, and ablative therapy. Surgery is the preferred option with clear efficacy and diversified surgical options. However, there are surgical risks and postoperative complications. Active surveillance avoids surgical and/or postoperative complications. Thermal ablation is minimally invasive with a low impact on thyroid function. Still, both active surveillance and thermal ablation lack the results of large samples with long-term follow-up to validate effectiveness and safety. ConclusionsStratified management should be applied to PTMC. High-risk PTMC should be treated surgically. All three treatment options of low-risk PTMC have advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered in conjunction with the patients’ wishes. After careful assessments and fully informed communications with patients, doctors and patients work together to develop a rationalized and individualized PTMC treatment strategy.
ObjectiveTo analyze the predictive factors for central lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), and explore the treatment method for the patients with PTMC. MethodThe literatures were reviewed according to the results searched from PubMed in recent years. ResultsCentral lymph node metastases were common in the patients with PTMC. It was important for prophylactic central lymph node dissection so it might reduce the local recurrence and comfirm the clinical staging, further more provide the strategies for the postoperative therapy. ConclusionsLymphadenectomy is necessary for patients with lymph node metastasis. Prophylactic central lymph node dissection should be performed for patients without lymph node metastasis but with one risk factor or more.
ObjectiveTo summarize the latest research progress in active surveillance of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma at home and abroad, and provide some reference for future clinical work. MethodRetrieved and reviewed relevant literatures about prospective studies on active surveillance of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.ResultsIn recent years, the incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma had increased sharply, but most of the biological activities were inert, tumor-specific mortality was very low, and only a few had progressed. For patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, surgery was a safe and effective treatment method, but due to changes in the epidemiological characteristics of the disease, people were reconsidering whether there was overtreatment in patients without high-risk characteristics. Expert consensus and guidelines no matter at home or abroad mentioned that active monitoring can be considered as an alternative to surgery. For suitable patients, active monitoring might be a better choice.ConclusionsActive surveillance for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma is basically considered to be a safe and feasible treatment option, but large numbers of clinical trials are still needed to provide evidence for the conversion of conventional clinical treatment models. In the future, by more accurately assessing the tumor progression of patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, active surveillance is promising to alternate surgical treatments.
Objective To summarize the latest research progress on the relationship between cN0 multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) at home and abroad, so as to provide a reference for surgeons to balance the benefits and risks of surgery and select the best treatment plan. Method The latest studies on the relationship between CLNM and tumor characteristics of cN0 multifocal PTMC (including number of tumor foci, total tumor diameter, primary tumor diameter, total tumor surface area, etc.) were reviewed. Results Current domestic and international guidelines differ on whether cN0 PTMC should be used to prevent central lymph node dissection (pCLND). Proponents believe that pCLND could reduce the recurrence rate of disease and facilitate postoperative risk stratification and management under the premise of technical support. Opponents argue that it was not clear whether pCLND actually improves the prognosis of PTMC patients, but postoperative complications do correlate with pCLND. In order to guide the application of pCLND in the surgical treatment of cN0 PTMC, a large number of studies had reported the risk factors of CLNM in PTMC in recent years, among which multifocal was considered to be a very important risk factor for CLNM. In order to further understand the internal relationship between multifocal PTMC and CLNM, scholars at home and abroad quantified the feature of multifocal PTMC into various parameters, and studied the relationship between them and CLNM in multiple dimensions. It was found that total tumor diameter >1 cm, increased tumor number, total tumor surface area >3.14 cm2, diameter ratio <0.56, tumor volume >90 mm3 and bilateral multifocal PTMC might be the risk factors for increased CLNM risk in patients with cN0 multifocal PTMC. Conclusion These screened parameters are initially considered to be effective tools for predicting the risk of CLNM in multifocal PTMC. Multiple risk parameters coexist, especially in patients with multifocal PTMC characterized by bilateral intralar multifocal PTMC, who are expected to benefit more from pCLND. However, a large number of clinical studies are still needed to provide reliable evidence-based evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. In the future, by combining these valuable parameters, a scoring system can be constructed to predict the disease status of multifocal PTMC more accurately and identify patients with necessary pCLND, which will be of great significance for the appropriate treatment of PTMC.
Objective To explore the potential indicators of cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients and to develop a nomogram model. Methods The clinicopathologic features of PTMC patients in the SEER database from 2004 to 2015 and PTMC patients who were admitted to the Center for Thyroid and Breast Surgery of Xuanwu Hospital from 2019 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The records of SEER database were divided into training set and internal verification set according to 7∶3. The patients data of Xuanwu Hospital were used as the external verification set. Logistic regression and Lasso regression were used to analyze the potential indicators for cervical lymph node metastasis. A nomogram was developed and whose predictive value was verified in the internal and external validation sets. According to the preoperative ultrasound imaging characteristics, the risk scores for PTMC patients were further calculated. The consistency between the scores based on pathologic and ultrasound imaging characteristics was verified. Results The logistic regression analysis results illustrated that male, age<55 years old, tumor size, multifocality, and extrathyroidal extension were associated with cervical lymph node metastasis in PTMC patients (P<0.001). The C index of the nomogram was 0.722, and the calibration curve exhibited to be a fairly good consistency with the perfect prediction in any set. The ROC curve of risk score based on ultrasound characteristics for predicting lymph node metastasis in PTMC patients was 0.701 [95%CI was (0.637 4, 0.765 6)], which was consistent with the risk score based on pathological characteristics (Kappa value was 0.607, P<0.001). Conclusions The nomogram model for predicting the lymph node metastasis of PTMC patients shows a good predictive value, and the risk score based on the preoperative ultrasound imaging characteristics has good consistency with the risk score based on pathological characteristics.
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors of cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) with clinical lymph node metastasis negative (cN0).MethodThe clinicopathologic data of patients with cN0 PTMC who underwent at least one lobectomy plus central lymph node dissection in this hospital from January 2013 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected and the risk factors of lymph node metastasis were analyzed.ResultsA total of 1 821 patients with cN0 PTMC were enrolled in this study. The results of postoperative pathology showed there were 837 (46.0%) cases with lymph node metastasis, in which of 805 (44.2%) cases with central lymph node metastasis; 252 (33.1%) had lateral lymph node metastasis among 761 patients underwent lateral lymph node dissection. The results of univariate analysis showed that male, age <55 years old, tumor diameter ≥5 mm, bilateral cancer, capsule invasion, and multiple foci were associated with lymph node metastasis of cN0 PTMC (P<0.05). Further binary logistic regression multivariate analysis results showed that these factors (except multiple foci) were the independent risk factors of lymph node metastasis of cN0 PTMC (P<0.05). While the results found that the risk of lateral lymph node metastasis was increased with the increasing of the number of central lymph node metastasis in patients with cN0 PTMC (P<0.05).ConclusionsCervical lymph node metastasis of cN0 PTMC is related to many factors, and central lymph node metastasis indicates a higher risk of lateral lymph node metastasis. For patients with risk factors, preventive central lymph node dissection should be given at the first surgery and decided whether to perform lateral lymph node dissection according to the intraoperative situation.