PAPILLARY THYROID-CARCINOMA ETIOLOGY, ASSESSMENT, AND THERAPY

Papillary thyroid carcinoma, the most common type of differentiated th yroid cancer, is a heterogeneous collection of histologic variants wit h distinct biologic behaviors and clinical implications. These subtype s are described, including new clinical data on the tall cell variant. Recent genetic and environmental findings relating to etiology are pr esented, as well as the prognostic features of tumor presentation that correlate to risks of tumor recurrence and patient survival. Finally, within the context of significant controversy, a particular clinical approach is recommended for surgery and radioiodine therapy.