INCIDENTAL PAPILLARY MICROCARCINOMA OF THE THYROID: OUR EXPERIENCE IN OPERATIVE UNIT OF GENERAL SURGERY [MICROCARCINOMA PAPILLIFERO INCIDENTALE DELLA TIROIDE: NOSTRA ESPERIENZA

Background: Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma is a relatively common incidental finding in patients treated surgically for presumably benign thyroid disease. Only a tumour found incidentally and with a diameter < or = 1 cm may be defined papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid. Many controversies exist regarding the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma because the prognostic factors have not been well defined. Methods: We have reviewed histology reports of patients surgically treated for benign thyroid disease from 2002 to may 2005 in a operative unit of general surgery. Results: A total of 97 patients, 87 females, 10 males; age 15-79 years, median 47,8, underwent total/subtotal thyroidectomy for presumably benign thyroid disease. Thirteen patients (13.4%) have presented papillary thyroid microcarcinoma; F/M = 12/1, age 40-74 years, median 55. In 7 patients tumour have a diameter > 5 mm, in 2 = 5 mm and in 4 > 5 mm. In 3 patients the tumour was multifocal. All patients had a follow-up mean 3 years, range 2-5 years; all these patients are alive and disease-free. Conclusion: Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma is a relatively common incidental finding in patients treated surgically for benign thyroid disease (13.4% in our series) and total thyroidectomy should be considered the procedure of choice for the management of this disease because the biological behaviour is in general benign and the prognosis in very good.