Abstract
There have been rare cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma in which tumor focus in the thyroid gland could not be identified with preoperative examinations. Foci may be absent or very small in the thyroid gland, making identification impossible. Between 2010 and 2017, there were 5 cases in which tumor focus in the thyroid gland could not be identified with preoperative examination, but in which lateral lymph node metastases were noted. These cases underwent thyroid lobectomy and D2b dissection for definitive treatment. One case showed absence of tumor focus in the thyroid gland, whereas the other three cases were identified as multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Thyroid lobectomy involves an appropriate extent of resection for cases with papillary thyroid carcinoma, with unidentified focus in the thyroid gland by preoperative examination, for balanced radical cure and functional preservation.
