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The tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma has traditionally been treated more aggressively than classic papillary thyroid carcinoma. However, this may not be justified in patients with T1/T2 tall cell variant node-negative tumors.We evaluated well-differentiated thyroid cancers treated surgically between 1985 and 2015 at our institution. We compared patients undergoing lobectomy for node-negative T1/T2 tall cell variant tumors with the same cohort with classic papillary thyroid carcinoma. Patients who underwent early planned completion thyroidectomy were excluded. Tall cell variant tumors were defined as those with ≥30% tall cells. Survival and recurrence outcomes were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and groups compared using the log-rank test.Thyroid lobectomy was performed for T1/T2 N0X disease in 70 (15%) tall cell cases and 429 (23%) classic papillary thyroid carcinoma cases. There was no significant difference in 10-year overall survival (P = .56) or locoregional recurrence-free probability (P = .52). Disease-specific survival and local or central nodal recurrence-free probability were 100% in both groups. In 9 papillary thyroid carcinoma cases, subsequent contralateral lobe tumors developed, and in 5, lateral neck metastases developed. No recurrences were seen in the tall cell group.T1 node-negative tumors with tall cell histology can be satisfactorily managed with thyroid lobectomy, with equivalent oncological outcomes to classic papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background Multifocality in papillary thyroid carcinoma is common. The aim of this study is to determine whether patients with multifocal disease, treated with lobectomy alone, have an increased risk of contralateral lobe papillary thyroid carcinoma, regional recurrence, and poorer survival. Methods After institutional review board approval, papillary thyroid carcinoma patients managed from 1986 to 2015 with lobectomy alone were identified from an institutional database. Papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with pT3 to T4 classification, nodal disease, or distant metastases were excluded. After excluding 40 patients who underwent an immediate completion thyroidectomy, 849 were included in the analysis; 619 (72.9%) had unifocal disease and 230 (27.1%) had multifocal disease. Contralateral lobe papillary thyroid carcinoma-free probability, regional recurrence-free probability, disease-specific survival, and overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results With a median follow-up of 58 months, unifocal disease and multifocal disease patients had similar rates of contralateral lobe papillary thyroid carcinoma, regional recurrence, and overall survival (10-year contralateral lobe papillary thyroid carcinoma-free probability 98.6% vs 97.8%; regional recurrence-free probability 99.5% vs 99.4%; overall survival 91.6% vs 93.1%, respectively). There were no disease-related deaths. Conclusion Select multifocal disease patients, managed with lobectomy alone, have rates of contralateral lobe papillary thyroid carcinoma, regional recurrence, and overall survival comparable to unifocal disease patients. Multifocal disease should not be an indication for completion thyroidectomy.

Macroscopic extrathyroidal extension to structures adjacent to the thyroid gland is one of the most important predictors of survival in papillary thyroid carcinoma. However, the prognostic significance of macroscopic extrathyroidal extension to strap muscles alone is unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the impact on survival in patients with macroscopic extrathyroidal extension to strap muscles alone compared to those with no macroscopic extrathyroidal extension and macroscopic extrathyroidal extension involving other adjacent structures.After institutional review board approval, adult papillary thyroid carcinoma patients were identified from an institutional database of 6,259 patients undergoing initial surgery for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma from 1986 to 2015. Patients were classified as having no macroscopic extrathyroidal extension, macroscopic extrathyroidal extension to strap muscles alone, or macroscopic extrathyroidal extension to other adjacent structures. Disease-specific survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and groups were compared using the log-rank test. A P value.05 was considered statistically significant and significant factors were used in a Cox proportional hazard model to predict disease-specific survival.There were 5,880 patients included in the analysis; 5,485 patients (93.3%) in the no macroscopic extrathyroidal extension group, 179 (3.0%) in the macroscopic extrathyroidal extension to strap muscles alone group and 216 (3.7%) in the macroscopic extrathyroidal extension involving other adjacent structures group. With a median follow-up of 64 months, the estimated 10-year disease-specific survival for patients with no macroscopic extrathyroidal extension, macroscopic extrathyroidal extension to strap muscles alone, and macroscopic extrathyroidal extension involving other adjacent structures were 98.9%, 95.7%, and 83.7%, respectively (P.0001). In the ≥55-year-old cohort, the estimated 10-year disease-specific survival for patients with no macroscopic extrathyroidal extension, macroscopic extrathyroidal extension to strap muscles alone, and macroscopic extrathyroidal extension involving other adjacent structures were 97.6%, 89.3%, and 68.1%, respectively (P.0001). After controlling for pathological nodal stage and distant metastasis stage, extent of extrathyroidal extension remained an independent predictor of disease-specific survival; patients with macroscopic extrathyroidal extension to strap muscles alone had a 3.3-fold increased likelihood of a disease-specific death compared to no macroscopic extrathyroidal extension patients (hazard ratio 3.294; 95% confidence interval 1.076-10.086, P.0368).In our study, patients aged ≥55 years with papillary thyroid carcinoma and macroscopic extrathyroidal extension to strap muscles alone appear to have an increased likelihood of a disease-specific death compared to patients with no macroscopic extrathyroidal extension.

Background Tumor, node, and metastasis staging in thyroid carcinoma is important for assessing prognosis. However, patients with stage III or IV disease have an overall survival rate of 90%. The change to 55 years of age as the cutoff will create stage migration and many patients will be downstaged. Methods We reviewed our database of 3,650 patients to analyze the impact of the new American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. There were 994 men (27%) and 2,656 women (73%). The median age was 46 years. Patients were staged using both 7th and 8th editions, with a cutoff of 55 years of age and new definitions of T3 and T4, and nodal staging. Results Of 3,650 patients, 1,057 (29%) were downstaged. There were 104 (10%) who went from stage IV to I, 109 (10%) who went from stage IV to stage II, and 68 (6%) who went to stage III. There were 218 (21%) who went from stage III to I, 347 (33%) who went from stage III to stage II, and 211 (20%) who went from stage II to I. The overall disease-specific and relapse-free survival was analyzed and showed better stratification with the new staging system. Conclusion The new staging system reflects more appropriately the biology of thyroid cancer and will have significant impact on the management of thyroid cancer.

Introduction The current American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) separates T1 status into T1a and T1b based on a 1-cm cutoff for maximal tumor dimension. In 2009, the American Thyroid Association recommended total thyroidectomy for tumors >1 cm in contrast to the possibility of lobectomy for tumors ≤1 cm. Our aim was to investigate the prognostic significance of a 1-cm tumor cutoff. Methods From an institutional database of 3,664 patients with DTC, 1,522 patients with T1 tumors without neck disease or distant metastases were identified. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were compared. Disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) outcomes were analyzed. Results Total thyroidectomy rates were similar between patients with T1a and T1b tumors (P = .307). With a median follow-up of 46 months (range, 1–320), there were no disease-specific deaths in the T1a or T1b groups. In total, 18 patients (1.2%) experienced a recurrence. Five-year RFS was comparable for patients with T1a and T1b tumors (98.6 vs 98.6%; P = .224). Conclusion T1a and T1b tumors have similar prognosis both in terms of DSS and RFS. It seems that a distinction between tumors of 1 cm is of no prognostic benefit.

The impact of clinically or radiologically detected nodal metastases on survival in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is controversial but seems more important and relevant in older patients. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of clinically or radiologically detected nodal metastases on outcome in patients 45 years of age or older.Retrospective analysis of 834 patients 45 years or older who underwent operation for PTC between 1986 and 2005.With a median follow up of 77 months, the 5 year disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were 99% and 94%, respectively. Patients with clinically N+ nodes with pathologic confirmation were stratified into pN0/Nx, pN1a, and pN1b, respectively. Five-year DSS was 100%, 100%, and 91% for pN0/Nx, pN1a, and pN1b disease; P.001. Patients with pN1b disease had poorer distant RFS compared with pN0/Nx and pN1a patients (84%, 99%, and 99%; P.001). The presence of pN1b disease was an independent predictor of worse DSS and distant RFS on multivariate analysis, conferring a 10-fold increased risk of distant metastases and death. All cause-specific deaths were due to distant metastases.Older patients with PTC and N1b disease at presentation have poorer DSS compared with patients with pN0/Nx or N1a disease. The cause of death in these patients is due to distant metastases rather than locoregional recurrence.

Background There remains controversy over the type of surgery appropriate for T1T2N0 well differentiated thyroid cancers (WDTC). Current guidelines recommend total thyroidectomy for all but the smallest lesions, despite previous evidence from large institutions suggesting that lobectomy provides similar excellent results. The objective of this study was to report our experience of T1T2N0 WDTC managed by either thyroid lobectomy or total thyroidectomy. Methods Eight hundred eighty-nine patients with pT1T2 intrathyroid cancers treated surgically between 1986 and 2005 were identified from a database of 1810 patients with WDTC. Total thyroidectomy was carried out in 528 (59%) and thyroid lobectomy in 361 (41%) patients. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors predictive of outcome by univariate and multivariate analysis were determined using the log rank test and Cox proportional hazards method respectively. Results With a median follow-up of 99 months, the 10-yr OS, DSS, and RFS for all patients were 92%, 99%, and 98% respectively. Univariate analysis showed no significant difference in OS by extent of surgical resection. Multivariate analysis showed that age over 45 yr and male gender were independent predictors for poorer OS, whereas T stage and type of surgery were not. Comparison of the thyroid lobectomy group and the total thyroidectomy group showed no difference in local recurrence (0% for both) or regional recurrence (0% vs 0.8%, P = .96). Conclusion Patients with pT1T2 N0 WDTC can be safely managed by thyroid lobectomy alone.

Background The majority of differentiated thyroid cancer tends to present with limited locoregional disease, leading to excellent long-term survival after operative treatment. Even patients with advanced local disease may survive for long periods with appropriate treatment. The aim of this study is to present our institutional experience of the management of locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer and to analyze factors predictive of outcome. Methods We reviewed our institutional database of 3,664 previously untreated patients with differentiated thyroid cancer operated between 1986 and 2010. A total of 153 patients had tumor extension beyond the thyroid capsule that invaded the subcutaneous soft tissues, recurrent laryngeal nerve, larynx, trachea, or esophagus. Details on extent of operation and adjuvant therapy were recorded. Disease-specific survival and locoregional recurrence-free probability were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors predictive of outcome were determined by multivariate analysis. Results The median age of the 153 patients with tumor extension beyond the thyroid capsule was 55 years (range 11–91 years). Eighty-nine patients (58.2%) were female. Twenty-three patients (15.0%) were staged as M1 at presentation, and 122 (79.7%) had pathologically involved lymph nodes. The most common site of extrathyroidal extension was the recurrent laryngeal nerve (51.0%) followed by the trachea (46.4%) and esophagus (39.2%). Sixty-three patients (41%) required resection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve due to tumor involvement. After surgery, 20 patients (13.0%) had gross residual disease (R2), 63 (41.2%) had a positive margin of resection (R1), and 70 (45.8%) had complete resection with negative margins (R0). With a median follow-up of 63.9 months, 5-year, disease-specific survival, when stratified by R0/R1/R2 resection, was 94.4%, 87.6%, and 67.9%, respectively ( P = .030). The data do not demonstrate a statistical difference in survival between R0 versus R1 ( P = .222). The 5-year distant recurrence-free probability for M0 patients was 90.8%, 90.3%, and 70.7% ( P = .410). The locoregional recurrence-free probability was 85.8% for R0 patients and 85.5% for R1 patients ( P = .593). Conclusion With an appropriate operative strategy, patients with locally advanced thyroid cancer with an R0 or R1 resection have excellent survival outcome.

Objective To report the impact of microscopic extrathyroid extension (ETE) on outcome in patients with cT1/cT2 well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC), and to determine the effect of extent of surgery and adjuvant radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment on outcome in patients with microscopic ETE. Patients and Methods From an institutional database, we identified 984 patients (54%) who underwent surgery for cT1/T2N0 disease. Of these, 869 patients were pT1/T2 and 115 were upstaged to pT3 based on the finding of microscopic ETE. Disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed for each group using the Kaplan–Meier method. In the pT3 group, factors predictive of outcome were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results There was no difference in the 10-year DSS (99% vs 100%; P = .733) or RFS (98% vs 95%; P = .188) on comparison of the pT1/pT2 and pT3 cohorts. Extent of surgery and administration of postoperative RAI were not significant for recurrence on univariate or multivariate analysis in the pT3 cohort. Conclusion Outcomes in patients with cT1T2N0 WDTC are excellent and not affected by microscopic ETE. The extent of resection and administration of postoperative RAI in patients with microscopic ETE does not impact survival or recurrence.

Background Thyroid nodules often discovered incidentally and present a management problem particularly when investigations suggest atypical or suspicious cells. Prediction of the risk of malignancy within such a thyroid nodule is based on clinical, biochemical, ultrasonographic, and cytologic features. Our aim was to create a nomogram to predict accurately the chance of malignancy within a thyroid nodule. Methods All patients with thyroid nodules who underwent ultrasonographic-guided fine needle aspiration and operative resection at our institution during 2007–2008 were identified. Clinical records, biochemical profiles, pathology reports, ultrasonographic images, and cytology slides were reviewed. A multivariate logistic regression was used to quantify the value of the variables in estimating the risk of malignancy. Results The records of 158 patients with 190 nodules were reviewed. Eighteen nodules were excluded. The 8 variables with the greatest predictive value selected for the nomogram were biochemical (thyroid-stimulating hormone), ultrasonography (shape, echo texture, and vascularity), and cytology (nuclear grooves, pseudoinclusions, cellularity, and presence of colloid). The nomogram had an excellent predictive accuracy with a concordance index of 91%. Conclusion We produced a nomogram that can quantify accurately the risk of malignancy in a thyroid nodule based on biochemical, ultrasonographic, and cytologic features.

The objective of this study was to determine the rate and pattern of nodal recurrence in patients who underwent a therapeutic, lateral neck dissection (LND) for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with clinically evident cervical metastases and to determine if there was any correlation between the extent of initial dissection and the rate and pattern of neck recurrence.A total of 3,664 patients with PTC treated between 1986 and 2010 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center were identified from our institutional database. Tumor factors, patient demographics, extent of initial LND, and adjuvant therapy were recorded. Patterns of recurrent lateral neck metastases by level involvement were recorded and outcomes calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.A total of 484 patients had an LND for cervical metastases; 364 (75%) had a comprehensive LND (CLND) and 120 (25%) had a selective neck dissection (SND). The median duration of follow-up was 63.5 months. As expected, patients with CLND had a greater number of nodes removed as well as a greater number of positive nodes (P .001). There was no difference in overall lateral neck recurrence-free status (CLND 94.4% vs SND 89.4%, P = .158), but in the dissected neck, the ipsilateral lateral neck recurrence-free status was superior in the CLND patients (97.7% vs 89.4%, P .001).Patients with clinically evident neck metastases from PTC managed by CLND have lesser rates of recurrence in the dissected neck compared with patients managed by SND. SND should only be done in highly selected cases with small volume disease.

Background Over the last 15 years, there has been a change in clinical practice for the detection of recurrence in all patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). In the past, recurrence was detected by clinical examination supplemented with fine-needle aspiration cytology; however, routine neck ultrasonography (US) and measurements of serum thyroglobulin were introduced for follow-up in 2000 and are now used widely for recurrence surveillance. The aim of this study was to describe the effectiveness of this changing trend in the use of routine surveillance ultrasonography for the detection of recurrence in low-risk PTC at a single institution. Methods Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for PTC between January 2000 and December 2010 were identified from an institutional database. Of these, 752 (43.1%) were categorized as low risk by the risk stratification of the American Thyroid Association and included for analysis. The number of US examinations per patient per year of follow-up was then determined. The number of recurrences and deaths from disease was recorded similarly. Results The median age was 48 years (range, 16–83) and the median follow-up was 34 months (range, 1–148). Between 2003 and 2012, the number of US examinations per patient-year of follow-up increased by 5.3-fold. Over the same time period, 3 structural recurrences (clinically evident neck masses or nodes) were detected with no disease-related deaths. Conclusion At our institution, the annual rate of neck US examination increased by 5.3-fold per low-risk PTC patients between 2003 and 2012. Despite this increase, only 3 structural recurrences were detected. The routine use of neck US for surveillance of low-risk PTC patients requires review.

Background The role of prophylactic central neck dissection in the management of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is controversial. We report our experience of an observational approach to the cN0 neck in PTC. Methods We reviewed 1,129 patients with PTC who had total thyroidectomy between 1986 and 2005. In that group, 470 patients were pN1; 384 had benign nodes removed (pN0); and the remaining 275 had no nodes removed (pNx). The pNx group formed the cohort for this study. Results With a median follow-up of 70 months, the 10-yr disease-specific survival was 100%. We found 4 patients who had evidence of radioactive iodine uptake on scans performed during follow-up without diagnostic cytology. All subsequently received radioactive iodine and are considered disease free. Three patients had biopsy-proven lateral-neck recurrence and underwent neck dissection; 1 patient developed a low-level thyroglobulin suspicious for recurrence; and 1 patient had a subcentimeter level VI node suspicious for recurrence, which has been observed. Therefore, the rate of structural recurrence in the central neck was 0.4% (1/275), and the rate of reoperation on the central neck was 0. Conclusion Our results suggest that properly selected patients can be managed safely with observation of the central neck rather than prophylactic central neck dissection, which has a higher complication rate.

The efficacy of radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) in patients who have an undetectable thyroglobulin (Tg) level after total thyroidectomy in well-differentiated papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is questionable. The objectives of this study were to report the risk of recurrence in patients with PTC who had an undetectable Tg level after total thyroidectomy managed with postoperative RAI and without RAI.After approval by the institutional review board, 751 consecutive patients who had total thyroidectomy for PTC as well as postoperative Tg measurement were identified from our institutional database of 1163 patients treated for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between 1999 and 2005. Of these, 424 patients had an undetectable postoperative Tg (defined as a Tg1 ng/mL) of whom 80 were classified as low, 218 intermediate, and 126 high risk via use of the GAMES (grade, age, distant metastasis, extrathyroidal extension, and size of the neoplasm) criteria. Patient, neoplasm, and treatment characteristics were recorded on the low- and intermediate-risk patients. Recurrence was defined as any structural abnormality on examination or imaging and confirmed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis was carried out by the log rank test and multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazards method.In the low-risk group (n = 80), 35 patients received postoperative RAI and 45 did not. Comparison of patient and tumor characteristics showed patients treated without RAI were more likely to have T1 tumors (82% vs 60%, P = .027). There were no disease-specific deaths in either group. There was 1 neck recurrence in the group that did not receive RAI. Patients managed without RAI had a similar RFS to patients managed with RAI (96% vs 100%, P = .337). In the intermediate risk group (n = 218), 135 were managed with RAI and 83 without. Comparison of patient and tumor characteristics showed patients managed without RAI were more likely to be older patients (≥ 45 years: 90% vs 39%, P.0005) with smaller tumors (pT1T2: 97% vs 62%, P.0005) and negative neck disease (N0: 56% vs 30%, P.0005). There were no disease specific deaths in either group. There were 7 recurrences, of which 6 were in the RAI cohort (5 regional, 1 distant) and 1 in the non-RAI cohort (1 regional). Patients managed without RAI had a similar RFS to patients managed with RAI (97% vs 96%, P = .234).Select low- and intermediate-risk group patients who have undetectable Tg after total thyroidectomy for PTC can be managed safely without adjuvant RAI with no increase in risk of recurrence.