Objective: To determine the relevant factors for cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Methods: A total of 826 patients with pathologically confirmed PTMC at Ruijin Hospital from December 2014 to January 2009 were enrolled. The following factors were assessed for their correlation with the occurrence of cervical LNM, including sex, age, multiple tumor focus, tumor size, bilateral tumor, coexistence of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and ultrasonography (US) features. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the predicting factors of cervical LNM. Results: Two hundred and sixteen (26.15%) of the 826 patients had cervical LNM. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the following factors were correlated independently with cervical LNM, including male (OR=1.600; P<0.001), ≤45 years of age (OR=2.020; P<0.001), tumor maximum diameter >5 mm (OR=2.371; P<0.001), microcalcification (OR=1.407; P=0.042). Coexistence of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (OR=0.492; P=0.016) was a protective factor for cervical lymph node metastasis. Multiple tumor focus, bilateral tumor and other US cha-racteristics were not significantly correlated with the occurrence of cervical LNM. Conclusions: Male, ≤45 years of age, tumor maximum diameter >5 mm and microcalcification are risk factors for the occurrence of cervical LNM in PTMC patient and prophylactic neck dissection should be considered. Coexistence of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis could be considered as a protective factor for cervical LNM.
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