Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases and risk factors for recurrence in a high prevalence of goiter area

BACKGROUND. Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is diagnosed with increasing frequency. Since risk factors for an aggressive clinical behavior have not been clearly delineated, the best therapeutic option and follow up protocol for PTMC have not been established yet, especially in case of incidental diagnosis after partial thyroidectomy for benign disease. We reviewed our series of patients with PMTC to determine risk factors for recurrence in a high prevalence of goiter area. METHODS. The medical records of all the patients who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) with a final pathology report of PTMC between October 2002 and June 2007 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical and pathologica…