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[Papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid. 179 cases reported since 1973].

OBJECTIVES
Defined as a tumor measuring < or = 1 cm, the prognosis and treatment of occult papillary thyroid carcinoma has been the topic of some controversy. The aim of this study was to report experience with a series of 179 cases observed since 1973.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
Occult papillary thyroid carcinoma was discovered in 179 patients aged 12 to 81 years (151 women and 28 men) at cervicotomy prescribed for Graves' disease (n = 9), toxic adenoma (n = 16), isolated nodule (n = 71), multinodular goiter (n = 74) or cervical node enlargement (n = 9). The surgical procedures were lobo-isthmectomy (n = 79), subtotal thyroidectomy (n = 74), or total thyroidectomy (n = 26) with node dissection in case of enlargement. Thyroxin was prescribed in all cases and annual follow-up was programmed. Five patients were lost to follow-up.


RESULTS
Two cervical recurrences were observed warranting reoperation. None of the patients died from cancer-related causes.


CONCLUSION
Minute papillary carcinomas of the thyroid are frequently discovered, but prognosis is generally excellent. Systematic total thyroidectomy and node dissection are not warranted. Only those lesions with an extrathyroid extension, associated node enlargement or inaugural metastasis require wide resection. These results are in agreement with a critical analysis of data reported in the literature demonstrating the exceptional nature, and in half of the cases, cure of metastatic occult papillary thyroid carcinoma.