[Relation between clinical presentation and prognosis of patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma].

Background And Objective: We aimed to analyze patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTM) in order to establish the prognosis according to the differences observed between those diagnosed before surgery and those diagnosed postoperatively.

Patients And Method: Retrospective study of 83 PTM patients who were distributed in 2 groups. Clinical, histological and follow-up data were compared. Survival and disease-free interval (DFI) were analyzed in both groups.

Results: Group A (diagnosed before surgery): 30 patients (36.1%); group B (diagnosed postoperatively): 53 patients (63.9%). Five group A patients had a relapse. Overall survival was 98.8% and overall DFI was 94% (83.3% in group A and 100% in group B, p = 0.01).

Conclusions: It is useful to differentiate patients with PTM diagnosed before surgery from those whose PTM was diagnosed after since their evolution is different.