Differentiated thyroid carcinoma in patients younger than 45 years / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in patients younger than 45 years. Methods Clinical data of all patients less than 45 years old at presentation with DTC in our hospital from Jan 1985 to Dec 1997 were analyzed retrospectively. Single variable analysis was performed by life-table method. Multivariate analysis was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. Results Two hundred and seventy two cases were analyzed. The overall 10-year survival rate was 93. 0%. The main prognostic factors influencing survival were age at presentation, the status of lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis; distant metastasis was the risk factor independently influencing survival by multivariate analysis. Conclusions Distant metastasis is the factor influencing survival significantly. The prognosis of these patients without distant metastasis is good. Total or near-total thyroidectomy and postoperative 131I therapy may be essential for a better prognosis in patients with distant metastasis.