The relationship between the extent of extrathyroidal extension and lymph node metastasis based on propensity score matching analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Extrathyroidal extension (ETE) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) are significant factors influencing the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, their relationship remains controversial. This study explores the connection between ETE and LNM by using propensity score matching (PSM) to guide individualized treatment.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,045 PTC patients who underwent surgery between January 2023 and June 2024. PSM at a 1:1 ratio was used to balance confounding factors based on univariate and multivariate analyses to investigate the relationship between ETE and LNM.

Results

Among the 1,045 patients, 55.8% had LNM, and 16.1% had ETE. Univariate analysis showed that male sex, age <45 years, tumor size ≥8 mm, ETE, a

SUBMITTER: Yang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12685776 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature