Correlation between Ultrasonic Features of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that affect cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in individuals with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in terms of ultrasonic characteristics and other parameters. Single-factor χ² analysis showed that the ultrasonic characteristics of tumor size >10 mm, unclear boundary, irregular pattern and capsular invasion, as well as pre-operative calcitonin level >302.50 pg/mL (p < 0.001) and age ≤52.50 y (p = 0.036), were risk factors for CLNM in individuals with MTC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age ≤52.50 y (odds ratio = 3.796; 95% confidence interval, 1.010-14.259; p = 0.048), irregular pattern (odds ratio = 5.262; 95% confidence interval, 1.200-23.084; p = 0.028) and tumor size >10 mm (odds ratio = 7.789; 95% confidence interval, 1.123-54.005; p = 0.038) were independent risk factors for CLNM in individuals with MTC. Individuals with MTC aged ≤52.50 y with an irregular pattern and tumor size >10 mm were more likely to develop CLNM. In addition, those with a pre-operative calcitonin level >302.50 pg/mL were more likely to have CLNM.