Incidental papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid.

ABSTRACT

Papillary microcarcinoma (PMC) is a thyroid tumor measuring 10mm or less in maximum diameter and comprise up to 30% of all papillary thyroid cancers. Most of them are detected incidentally and defined as incidental papillary microcarcinoma (IPC<or=10mm). The incidence of such incidental cancers found in surgical specimens of benign thyroid diseases is high. Although most PMC are incidental, all incidental papillary cancers cannot be classified as microcarcinoma, owing to their size that may be larger than 10mm. Not much is known about the biological behavior and clinical course of IPC<or=10mm. There is an ongoing discussion among endocrinologists, endocrine surgeons and nuclear medicine specialists about the optimal therapeutic strategy for the patients with IPC<or=10mm. Some investigators advocate in favor of not performing further treatment in addition to initial thyroid surgery, whereas others suggest an aggressive surgical approach followed by radioiodine ablation therapy. Randomized prospective trials of observation versus standard thyroid cancer care are required to high-lighten this dilemma.