[Risk factors of level Ⅵ lymph node metastasis in cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Thyroid Cancer Research

Background:

• Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer.
• Level VI lymph node metastasis is a significant prognostic factor in PTC.
• Accurate staging is crucial for treatment planning in clinical N0 (cN0) PTC patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors associated with level VI lymph node metastasis in cN0 PTC.
• To determine the frequency of level VI lymph node metastasis in this patient cohort.
• To inform surgical decision-making regarding prophylactic level VI neck dissection.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 107 cN0 PTC cases.
• Statistical analysis including univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
• Evaluation of associations between clinicopathological factors and level VI metastasis.

Main Results:

• Level VI lymph node metastasis was present in 51.40% of cN0 PTC patients.
• Univariate analysis identified age, gender, tumor size, multifocality, capsular invasion, and surrounding tissue invasion as significant factors.
• Multivariate analysis confirmed age, tumor maximum diameter, multifocal tumors, and surrounding tissue invasion as independent risk factors.

Conclusions:

• A high incidence of level VI lymph node metastasis exists in cN0 PTC.
• Prophylactic level VI neck dissection is recommended for PTC patients with specific risk factors.
• Risk factors include younger age, tumors >2 cm, multifocal disease, and surrounding tissue invasion.