Preoperatively diagnosed microscopic papillary thyroid cancer: an aggressive approach in selected patients with small nodules. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sakorafas, George H; Gkeli, Myrsini; Kartsouni, Victoria; Daskalopoulou, Dimitra; Thanos, Dimitrios; Nasikas, Dimitrios; Gantzoulas, Sotirios
• Is Part Of: International journal of endocrine oncology. Volume 2:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 241
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: cancer -- fine-needle aspiration -- nodules -- papillary -- surgery -- thyroid -- ultrasonograpy; Endocrine glands -- Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.9944005
• DOI: 10.2217/ije.15.13
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-0869

Abstract

Thyroid nodules are very common among the general population; suspicion of malignancy is a typical indication for surgery in these patients. Despite that, surgery is typically required in patients with nodules >10 mm, resection should be considered for a selected subgroup of patients with small (≤10 mm) nodules. In this study, among 150 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid nodules during a 18-month period, 19 (12.7%) had small thyroid nodules. Indication for surgery in these patients was preoperative diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer, after an aggressive diagnostic investigation (using ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration) that was performed due to the recognition of specific risk factors (most commonly suspicious ultrasonographic findings, but also cervical lymphadenectomy and strong positive family history).