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Controversies in papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid

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Abstract

Papillary thyroid carcinomas that are smaller than 1 cm are classified as papillary microcarcinomas (PMC). These lesions are frequently detected as incidental findings on autopsy or in surgical specimens. They are often multifocal. The relationship between PMC and clinical papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is not clear. In patients with clinical thyroid cancer, PMC may represent intrathyroidal metastases; they may be the earliest form of future large lesions. These uncertainties raise questions about appropriate clinical management of patients with these lesions. Review of the literature substantiates the argument that clinically evident PTC may be distinctly different from solitary or multifocal PMC in terms of etiology and biologic behavior, supporting a conservative approach to management.

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Author notes

  1. Sylvia L. Asa MD, PhD

    Present address: Department of Pathology, University Health Network and University of Toronto, The Freeman Centre for Endocrine Oncology and The Ontario Cancer Institute, 610 University Avenue Suite 4-302, M5G 2M9, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital and, University of Toronto, 610 University Avenue Suite4-302, M5G 2M9, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Monique Piersanti MD & Shereen Ezzat MD

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  2. Shereen Ezzat MD
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  3. Sylvia L. Asa MD, PhD
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Piersanti, M., Ezzat, S. & Asa, S.L. Controversies in papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid. Endocr Pathol 14, 183–191 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12022-003-0011-5

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