Prognostic factors in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: To study the prognostic factors in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: University hospital, Germany.

Patients: 139 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for follicular (n = 42) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (n = 97).

Main outcome measures: Survival rate, type of operation (systematic lymphadenectomy or no lymphadenectomy).

Results: Median observation time was 72 months (range 1-203). The 5 and 10 year survival rates in patients with papillary carcinoma were 92% and 89% respectively, and in those with follicular carcinoma 88% and 80%, respectively. Prognostic factors for papillary carcinoma were distant metastases, age, and extrathyroidal growth, and for follicular carcinoma they were distant metastases, extrathyroidal extension, and multifocal growth. The Union International contre le Cancer and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer scores and the age, grade, extent and size score were all highly significant. The extent of lymphadenectomy, primary or secondary thyroidectomy, and partial or total thyroidectomy did not influence survival.

Conclusion: Staging and score systems may be helpful in calculating prognosis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma, but the benefit of systematic lymphadenectomy remains controversial.