Yonsei Med J.  2012 Jan;53(1):1-14. 10.3349/ymj.2012.53.1.1.

Managing Thyroid Microcarcinomas

• Mazzaferri EL

• KMID: 1779682
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2012.53.1.1

Abstract

Papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs) are the most common form of classic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). PTMCs are typically discovered by fine-needle-aspiration biopsy (FNAB), usually with sensitive imaging studies, or are found during thyroid surgery in a patient without a previously known history of thyroid carcinoma. However, the definition of PTMC has not always been universally accepted, thus creating controversy concerning the diagnosis and treatment of PTMC. The aim of this review is to summarize the clinical features of PTMC and identify the widely differing opinions concerning the diagnosis and management of these small ubiquitous thyroid tumors.

Keyword

Papillary thyroid cancer; papillary thyroid micro-carcinoma; fine-needle aspiration biopsy; TNM staging systems; autopsy studies; BRAF V600E

MeSH Terms

Biopsy, Fine-Needle
Carcinoma, Papillary/mortality/*pathology/*surgery
Humans
*Neoplasm Staging
Thyroid Neoplasms/mortality/*pathology/*surgery

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