Familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a new clinical entity

Background Familial, non-medullary thyroid carcinoma is clinically more agg ressive than the sporadic form. Mle wanted to find out whether papillary th yroid microcarcinoma also occurs in a familiar pattern, and, if so, to iden tify specific clinical and prognostic features. Methods We reviewed the clinical records of 119 patients with papillary thy roid microcarcinoma. Familial occurrence, together with clinical presentati on, surgical treatment, pathological characteristics, and follow-up were re corded. Findings We identified a family history of thyroid carcinoma in seven patie nts. The tumour was multifocal in five patients, bilateral in three, and va scular invasion occurred in three of the seven patients. Lymph-node metasta ses were found in four patients. Three patients had a recurrence and one pa tient with pulmonary metastases died within 11 months. Interpretation We identified familial occurrence in 5.9% of cases of papill ary thyroid microcarcinoma. The unfavourable behaviour in the familal form of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma suggests that radical treatment and car eful follow-up are warranted.