Correlation analysis on central lymph node metastasis in 276 patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: To explore the relationship between sex, age, capsule invasion, tumor size, tumor location, number and central lymph node metastasis.

Methods: Correlation analysis was conducted on clinical data of 276 patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent central lymph node dissection.

Results: There was significant difference between patients less than 45 years old and greater than or equal 45 years old (P<0.05), between patients with capsule invasion and without capsule invasion (P<0.05); there were significant differences in the central lymph node metastasis rate between group with Φ≤0.5cm as well as Φ>2cm and the other three groups (P<0.05), and there was significant difference between upper pole group and middle/lower pole group (P<0.05) while no significant difference was found between middle pole and lower pole (P>0.05); there was also no significant difference in the central lymph node metastasis rate between groups with 1 tumor and greater as well as equal 2 (P>0.05).

Conclusion: We considered the tumor located in middle and lower pole, Φ>0.5cm of tumor size, less than 45 years old and the present of capsule invasion were high risk factors of central lymph node metastasis, so we strongly recommend performing central lymph node dissection in synchronization.