ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Thyroidectomy without prophylactic central neck dissection may be recommended for small (T1 or T2) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and predictive factors of central cervical lymph node metastasis in T1/2 papillary thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective review of 877 patients with T1/2 PTC who underwent thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection with or without lateral lymph node dissection from March 2007 to February 2014 was performed. The clinicopathologic results were reviewed and the incidence and predictive factors of central cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall frequency of central LNM was 29.8%. In univariate analysis, male, younger age, bilaterality, multifocality, larger tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, and lateral lymph node metastasis were associated with central LNM. In multivariate analysis, younger age, larger tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, and lateral lymph node metastasis were independent variables of central LNM. CONCLUSION: Central LNM is associated with younger age, larger tumor, lymphovascular invasion, and lateral lymph node metastasis in small (T1/2) PTC patients. Prophylactic central lymph node dissection should be considered in patients with risk factors.