Surgical Optimization in Preoperatively Low-risk cN1a PTC: A Predictive Model for High-Volume Central Lymph Node Metastasis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Accurate preoperative identification of high-volume central lymph node metastasis (hv-CLNM; defined as more than 5 central lymph node metastases) is critical for guiding surgical decisions-lobectomy or total thyroidectomy-in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) clinically diagnosed with central neck lymph node metastasis (cN1a). Total thyroidectomy is generally preferred for patients with hv-CLNM. In contrast, lobectomy may be sufficient for patients with low-volume metastasis (5 or fewer lymph node metastases). This study aimed to identify predictors of hv-CLNM in preoperatively low-risk cN1a and to develop a predictive model to estimate the risk of hv-CLNM, thereby optimizing surgical decision-making.

Methods

A total of 707 patients with pathologicall

SUBMITTER: Zhou Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12765736 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature