Papillary Cancer

This page includes more advanced information on a specific type of thyroid cancer. . . Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Please read our Introduction to Thyroid Cancer page first which gives a general overview of all types of thyroid cancer since it will make this page easier to understand.

Papillary tumors are the most common of all thyroid cancers (>70%). Papillary carcinoma typically arises as an irregular, solid or cystic mass that arises from otherwise normal thyroid tissue. This cancer has a high cure rate with ten year survival rates for all patients with papillary thyroid cancer estimated at 80-90%. Cervical metastasis (spread to lymph nodes in the neck) are present in 50% of small tumors and in over 75% of the larger thyroid cancers. The presence of lymph node metastasis in these cervical areas causes a higher recurrence rate but not a higher mortality rate. Distant metastasis (spread) is uncommon, but lung and bone are the most common sites. Tumors that invade or extend beyond the thyroid capsule have a worsened prognosis because of a high local recurrence rate.

Characteristics of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

• Peak onset ages 30 through 50
• Females more common than males by 3 to 1 ratio
• Prognosis directly related to tumor size [less than 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) good prognosis]
• Accounts for 85% of thyroid cancers due to radiation exposure
• Spread to lymph nodes of the neck present in more than 50% of cases
• Distant spread (to lungs or bones) is very uncommon
• Overall cure rate very high (near 100% for small lesions in young patients)

Management of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Considerable controversy exits when discussing the management of well differentiated thyroid carcinomas (papillary and even follicular). Some experts contend than if these tumors are small and not invading other tissues (the usual case) then simply removing the lobe of the thyroid which harbors the tumor (and the small central portion called the isthmus) will provide as good a chance of cure as removing the entire thyroid. These proponents of conservative surgical therapy relate the low rate of clinical tumor recurrence (5-20%) despite the fact that small amounts of tumor cells can be found in up to 88% of the opposite lobe thyroid tissues. They also cite some studies showing an increased risk of hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy (since there is an operation on both sides of the neck). Proponents of total thyroidectomy (more aggressive surgery) cite several large studies that show that in experienced hands the incidence of recurrent nerve injury and permanent hypoparathyroidism are quite low (about 2%). More importantly, these studies show that patients with total thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine therapy and thyroid suppression, have a significantly lower recurrence rate and lower mortality when tumors are greater than 1.5cm. One must remember that it is also desirable to reduce the amount of normal gland tissue that will take up radioiodine.


Based on the these studies and the above natural history and epidemiology of papillary carcinoma, the following is a typical plan: Papillary carcinomas that are well circumscribed, isolated, and less than 1cm in a young patient (20-40) without a history of radiation exposure may be treated with hemithyroidectomy and isthmusthectomy. All others should probably be treated with total thyroidectomy and removal of any enlarged lymph nodes in the central or lateral neck areas. The surgical options are covered in greater detail (with drawings) on another "surgical options" page. Often other characteristics of the tumor that can be seen under the microscope will have an influence on whether the surgeon should take all the thyroid out--items such as vascular invasion, nerve invasion and capsule invasion.

The Use of Radioactive Iodine Post-Operatively

Thyroid cells are unique in that they have the cellular mechanism to absorb iodine. The iodine is used by thyroid cells to make thyroid hormone. No other cell in the body can absorb or concentrate iodine. Physicians can take advantage of this fact and give radioactive iodine to patients with thyroid cancer. There are several types of radioactive iodine, with one type being toxic to cells. Papillary cancer cells absorb iodine and therefore they can be targeted for death by giving the toxic isotope (I-131). Once again, not everybody with papillary thyroid cancer needs this therapy, but those with larger tumors, spread to lymph nodes or other areas, tumors which appear aggressive microscopically, and older patients may benefit from this therapy. This is extremely individualized and no recommendations are being made here or elsewhere on this web site...too many variables are involved. But, this is an extremely effective type of "chemotherapy" will little or no potential down-sides (no hair loss, nausea, weight loss, etc.).

Uptake is enhanced by high TSH levels; thus patients should be off of thyroid replacement and on a low iodine diet for at least one to two weeks prior to therapy. It is usually given 6 weeks post surgery (this is variable) can be repeated every 6 months if necessary (within certain dose limits).

What About Thyroid Hormone Pills After Thyroid Cancer Surgery?

Regardless of whether a patient has just one thyroid lobe and the isthmus removed, or the entire thyroid gland removed, most experts agree they should be placed on thyroid hormone for the rest of their lives. This is to replace the hormone in those who have no thyroid left, and to suppress further growth of the gland in those with some tissue left in the neck. There is good evidence that papillary carcinoma responds to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) secreted by the pituitary, therefore, exogenous thyroid hormone is given which results in decreased TSH levels and a lower impetus for any remaining cancer cells to grow. Recurrence and mortality rates have been shown to be lower in patients receiving suppression.

What Kind of Long-Term Follow Up is Necessary?

In addition to the usual cancer follow up, patients should receive a yearly chest x-ray as well as thyroglobulin levels Thyroglobulin is not useful as a screen for initial diagnosis of thyroid cancer but is quite useful in follow up of well differentiated carcinoma (if a total thyroidectomy has been performed). A high serum thyroglobulin level that had previously been low following total thyroidectomy especially if gradually increased with TSH stimulation is virtually indicative of recurrence. A value of greater than 10 ng/ml is often associated with recurrence even if an iodine scan is negative.