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World J. Surg. 28, 12711274, 2004DOI: 10.1007/s00268-004-7608-9WORLDJournal ofSURGERY 2004 by the Societe
Internationale de ChirurgieSingle Center Experience in Primary Surgery for Medullary Thyroid CarcinomaJrgUkkat, M.D.,1 Oliver Gimm, M.D.,1 Michael Brauckhoff, M.D.,1 Udo Bilkenroth, M.D.,2 Henning Dralle, M.D.11Department of General Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, D-06097 Halle/Saale, Germany2Department of Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, D-06097 Halle/Saale, GermanyPublished Online: November 4, 2004Abstract. Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare disease, and most
studies are either based on small numbers or multicenter studies with their
inherent difficulties. Since 1995, a total of 440 patients with MTC underwent surgery in our clinic. A primary operation was performed in 188 patients (43% of 440). In 60 patients, the primary operation was performed
because of a germline RET mutation (prophylactic surgery). Most (84%,
158/188) of the patients had pathologic calcitonin levels. Notably, MTC was
found in almost 10% (3/30) of patients with normal calcitonin levels. However, all patients with lymph node metastases (LNMs) had elevated calcitonin levels. Total thyroidectomy (TTx) was performed in all patients.
Lymph node dissection (LND) was performed at various extensions: onecompartment LND in 35% (66/188), three-compartment LND in 31% (58/
188), and four-compartment LND in 29% (22/188). In general, lymph node
dissection increased the likelihood of complications. LNM and distant metastases (DM) correlated with the extent of the primary tumor (pT category). The presence of LNM ranged from 17% (pT1 tumor) to 100% (pT4
tumor), whereas the presence of DM ranged from 0% (pT1 tumor) to 81%
(pT4 tumor). Biochemical cure (normal calcitonin levels) was obtained in
72% (137/188) of patients. All 60 patients undergoing prophylactic surgery
(tumor stage pT0/pT1) were biochemically cured. In contrast, only 60%
(77/128) of the remaining patients were cured. The data suggest that primary surgery should be scheduled as soon as possible to treat patients at a
node-negative stage. In the case of normal basal and elevated stimulated
calcitonin levels, TTx and cervicocentral LND is recommended. If the basal
calcitonin level is elevated, LND should include the cervicolateral compartment.Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) has been notorious for rapid
dissemination of tumor cells to the lymphatic system and distant
organs [16]. Involvement of lymph nodes and the presence of distant metastases have been noted on multivariate analysis to be independent prognostic factors that indicate...