Thyroid cancer histological subtypes based on tumor size: National perspective
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Updated: Dec 24, 2025
An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
Zaid Al-Qurayshi1, Megan J Foggia1, Nitin Pagedar1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Background:
Thyroid tumor size is an important prognostic factor. The aim of this study is to examine the histological subtypes and management of thyroid cancer based on tumor size (≤4 cm vs >4 cm).
Methods:
Retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Cancer Database, 2004-2014.
Results:
A total of 152 387 patients were included, 13 614 (8.9%) of whom had a tumor size >4 cm. Histological subtypes of tumors >4 cm were: 69.6% papillary thyroid carcinoma, 17.5% FTC, 7.9% HCC, and 2.8% medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). High-volume hospitals for thyroid surgery were less likely to perform two-stage thyroidectomy, particularly for tumors ≤4 cm. Low-volume hospitals had a higher risk of staged thyroidectomy for MTC ≤4 cm (19.8%) compared with high-volume hospitals (8.7%) (P < .001).
Conclusions:
This study describes the prevalence of thyroid cancer subtypes. In the era of a conservative approach to differentiated thyroid carcinoma, there could be a potential increase in the risk of staged thyroidectomy.
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