Incidence and Significance of Clinically Unsuspected Thyroid Tissue in Lymph Nodes Found During Neck Dissection in Head and Neck Carcinoma Patients

Abstract

The incidence of unsuspected thyroid tissue in lymph nodes of patients with head and neck carcinoma treated with neck dissection was 1.5%. Both lymph node metastases of a papillary carcinoma and benign thyroid inclusions were found. The study results suggest that the incidental finding of thyroid tissue in the lymph nodes during a neck dissection in patients with head and neck carcinoma does not necessarily indicate the need for aggressive therapy.