Impact of Clinicopathologic Factors on Subclinical Central Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

Abstract

In this study, male and tumor size >5 mm were two independent predictive factors for subclinical central lymph node metastasis in PTMC. These are easier factors to assess before surgery than other factors when planning the central lymph node dissection. However, further long-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm the prognostic significance of subclinical central lymph node metastasis in PTMC.