Papillary thyroid cancer: Pathological parameters as prognostic factors in different classes of age
Received 6 June 2007; received in revised form 22 August 2007; accepted 29 October 2007.
Objective
To analyze aspects of a series of papillary thyroid carcinomas and evaluate the prognostic features specific to different age classes.
Study Design
Retrospective study.
Subjects and Methods
From 2000 to 2005, 2709 patients underwent a total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma in our department. Patients were divided into three groups: <18 years (G1), 19 to 45 years (G2), and >46 years (G3). Histologic and clinical features were statistically evaluated.
Results
Tumor size was larger in G1 when compared with both G2 and G3 (P < 0.0001). Infiltration of the thyroid capsule and node metastases were higher in G1 than both G2 and G3 (P < 0.0001). The Tall-cell variant was more represented in G2 and G3.
Conclusion
In the pediatric population, papillary carcinoma is a more aggressive disease. Because pediatric cancers have a better prognosis than their adult counterparts, this does not influence patient outcome. Age can then be considered the most important factor in determining prognosis.
aDepartment of Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
bDepartment of Experimental Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Corresponding author: Michele N. Minuto MD, PhD, Dipartimento di Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
ABSTRACT