OBJECTIVES: The extracapsular spread (ECS) of metastatic lymph nodes is associated with aggressive @entity5 behavior, and is regarded as a major risk factor for local recurrence in @entity1 with @entity213 . However, the significance of ECS of metastatic lymph nodes has not been well established in well-differentiated @entity259 . The purpose of this study was to examine this question. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 335 @entity1 with @entity3557 who underwent total thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection from April 2001 to December 2009. We analyzed various clinical characteristics, pathologic factors, and the size, number, and ECS of foci in metastatic lymph nodes. RESULTS: On pathologic review, 201 of the @entity1 (56.6%) had lymph node @entity3 . This was significantly related to age and @entity5 size. ECS was noted in 64 of these 201 @entity1 (31.8%), and was significantly related to male gender, @entity5 size, presence of extrathyroidal extension, metastatic lymph node size, and focus size. Recurrence occurred in 13 @entity1 (3.9%), and the presence of ECS was significantly related to recurrence. CONCLUSION: ECS of metastatic lymph nodes is an important prognostic factor for loco-regional recurrence in @entity3557 .

Significance of the Extracapsular Spread of Metastatic Lymph Nodes in XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity3557 :: ('MESH:C536915', 'Disease') :: ['papillary thyroid carcinoma'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor'] @entity3 :: ('MESH:D009362', 'Disease') :: ['metastasis'] @entity259 :: ('MESH:D013964', 'Disease') :: ['thyroid carcinoma'] @entity213 :: ('MESH:C535575', 'Disease') :: ['head and neck squamous cell carcinoma']
@entity3557 :: (MESH:C536915,Disease) :: ['Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma']
