Changes in the Clinicopathological Characteristics and Outcomes of Thyroid Cancer in Korea over the Past Four Decades

Abstract

The incidence of thyroid cancer has rapidly increased, with a decrease in tumors of large size, LN involvement, and ETE, although the decreasing rates of LN involvement and ETE were not as prominent as decreasing rates of large size tumors. The mortality and recurrence rates have also decreased. Future long-term follow-up of patients diagnosed in the most recent decade is needed to confirm the prognostic characteristics of Korean PTC patients.