THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CERVICAL LYMPH NODE DISSECTION IN WELL DIFFERENTIATED CARCINOMA OF THE THYROID

Abstract

The management of cervical lymph node metastases in well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid has been controversial. In our department, node plucking was performed only in patients with cervical lymphadenopathy from 1963 to 1972. From 1973 to 1983, however, modified radical neck dissection was therapeutically or electively carried out. In order to determine whether the more extensive dissection is adequate or not, a retrospective analysis was performed by dividing patients into two groups which were differently managed for cervical lymph node metastases. This series of 206 patients with more than five years follow-up periods revealed that the rates of survival and lymph node recurrence were not different between the two groups. Since the well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid has a relatively indolent biological behaviour, however, further long-term follow-up seems to be necessary for demonstrating the efficacy of the neck dissection.