Risk factors of central cervical lymph node metastasis in thyroid micropapillary carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To analyse the risk factors of central cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Methods: The clinicopathological data of 375 PTMC patients admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to December 2020 were retrospectively analysed. They were divided into metastasis group and non-metastasis group according to whether they had had CLNM. The relevant data of the two groups were analysed by Chi-square test, logistic regression analysis and ROC curve. Results: The CLNM rate of the 375 PTMC patients was 47.2%. Chi-square test showed that CLNM was associated with gender, age, tumor size, number of lesions and thyroid capsule invasion (P < 0.05), but not with BRAF gene mutation, Hashimoto's thyrolditis (HT) and nodular goiter. Multivariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in gender, maximum tumor diameter, multifocal and thyroid capsule infiltration between the metastatic group and the non-metastatic group (all P < 0.05). It was not associated with BRAF gene mutation, HT and nodular goiter. The ROC curve indicated that age ≤26.5 years and maximum tumor diameter ≥0.75cm were the cut-off values for increased risk of CLNM. Conclusion: CLNM in PTMC patients is related to gender, age, maximum tumour diameter, number of lesions and thyroid capsule immersion.