[The role of node-picking lymphadenectomy in the treatment of differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid].

A retrospective analysis of the treatment of spreading of differentiated thyroid carcinoma to regional lymph nodes was performed in 201 patients observed in 1973-1991. In 183 patients with no clinical metastatic involvement (A group), no lymph node excision was performed. In 36 patients with limited metastatic lymph node involvement (B group), a node-picking lymphadenectomy was performed. After 1977, all patients were treated also with metabolic radiotherapy postoperatively. Actuarial 15-year survival was 98.28% in A group and 87.50% in B group (n.s. difference). In 15 patients with lymph nodal relapse, actuarial 10-year survival was 83.4%. The survival figures are not different from those obtained after more radical operations. So, in limited metastatic involvement of neck lymph nodes by differentiated thyroid carcinoma, in the opinion of the Authors, node-picking lymphadenectomy is equally effective as more radical surgical procedures.