Predictive factors for lymph node metastasis in solitary papillary thyroid carcinomas: a retrospective study

Identifying risk factors for neck lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is important for patient prognosis establishment. We conducted a retrospective study among 317 patients with solitary PTC. Factors associated with clinically evident LNM were evaluated. LNM were identified in 69 (21.7%) patients. Central compartment (17.3%) and lateral compartment (9.4%) were involved. Thyroid capsule invasion and extrathyroidal extension were found to be independent risk factors for both central and lateral compartment metastasis in multivariate analysis. Larger diameter was associated with central compartment metastasis in logistic regression model, whereas male gender only with lateral compartment metastasis. As closer tumors were positioned in relation to glandular capsule we expected rising rates of nodal spread. It was unlikely to find clinically evident neck LNM among patients with centrally located tumors.