The role of age and sex in cervical lymph node metastasis of adult thyroid cancer: an analysis based on SEER database and real-world data

Abstract

Abstract Objective To explore the role of age and sex in the cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) of thyroid cancer (TC).Methods Adult TC patients data from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database between 2010–2015 years were obtained (22210 cases), TC patients from our hospital between 2017–2022 years were collected (985 cases). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results Males are more likely to develop CLNM than females, the odds ratio (OR) by univariate analysis is 1.78(1.36–2.39) for CLNM and 1.97(1.37–2.84) for LLNM in real-world data, 1.82(1.70–1.95) for CLNM and 2.42(2.21–2.65) for LLNM in SEER database, respectively; the OR by multivariate analysis is 1.84(1.38–2.44) for CLNM and 2.01(1.39–2.90) for LLNM in real-world data, 1.92(1.79–2.05) for CLNM and 1.76(1.56–1.99) for LLNM in SEER database, respectively. Adult patients aged ≤ 30 years are more likely to develop CLNM and LLNM than those of aged > 30 years, the OR by univariate analysis is 1.99(1.34–2.96) for CLNM, 1.99(1.25–3.18) for LLNM in real-world data and 2.13(1.95–2.32) for CLNM and 1.59(1.41–1.79) for LLNM in SEER database, respectively; the OR by multivariate analysis is 2.05(1.38–3.06) for CLNM and 2.06(1.29–3.31) for LLNM in real-world data, 2.30(2.10–2.51) for CLNM and 1.76(1.56–1.99) for LLNM in SEER database, respectively.Conclusion Males aged ≤ 30 years of adult TC patients were more likely to have CLNM and LLNM than females and aged > 30 years of patients. Sex and age should be fully considered in evaluating both CLNM and LLNM of TC.