[Differentiated thyroid cancer: prognostic factors]

The Authors analyze 152 consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer, observed from 1978 to 1996, evaluating specifically prognostic factors. In accord with literature, total thyroidectomy represents the "gold standard" surgical treatment that allows diagnostic-therapeutic use of 131I and results. The Authors in case of N+ as routine perform a node picking with MRND (modified radical neck dissection) reserved to high risk patients. Age represents only independent prognostic factor that in association with M+ and follicular histotype classifies high risk patients in whom a more aggressive therapeutic approach is necessary.