[Prognostically relevant factors in follicular thyroid cancer]

The discussion of the prognosis of follicular thyroid carcinoma is controversial. To evaluate the factors which influence the prognosis we retrospectively analyzed our patients from 1. 1. 1964 to 31. 12. 1987. 76 patients with a follicular thyroid carcinoma were treated during this time. Factors influencing the prognosis were: (1) multiple tumor growth; (2) pT-classification; (3) vascular invasion; (4) tumor stage; (5) degree of cellular differentiation and (6) metastases. Because of the prognostic influence of multiple tumor growth and the slight prognostic influence of lymph node metastases we recommend a total thyroidectomy with neck dissection for follicular thyroid carcinoma.