[The diagnostic elements and therapy principles in thyroid cancer: the Pavia experience 100 years after Bottini]

The diagnostic and operative management of thyroid cancer is controversial as the nature of the disease is heterogeneous in its growth rate, pattern of spread, and histological type. Therefore, surgery must be extensive enough to minimize the chances of recurrence and death. In the period 1962-1989, 159 thyroid cancers were observed. According to the histological type, 61 total thyroidectomies, 34 hemithyroidectomies with isthmusectomy, and 29 subtotal thyroidectomies were performed. Cervical lymph node dissection was performed in 55 patients. The 10-year postoperative survival rate was 70.59% with lymphadenectomy and 65.71% without lymphadenectomy.