The prognostic value of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level post-lobectomy in low- and intermediate-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma

Background This study was undertaken to determine the optimal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) value associated with structural recurrence in patients with low-risk or intermediate-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent thyroid lobectomy. Methods Patients with PTC (n = 1047) who received thyroid lobectomy and central compartment node dissection were included in the study. Results Structural recurrence occurred in 42 of the patients (4.0%), and no patient died of PTC. Multivariate analysis showed a primary tumor size (with a cut-off of 0.85 cm) and serum TSH level measured 1 year after the initial surgery (cut-off 1.85 mU/L) independently predicted structural recurrence. Conclusions TSH levels during the early postoperative period need to be monitored and maintained in the lower normal range even in patients with low- or intermediate-risk PTC undergoing thyroid lobectomy.