The recent increase in detection of thyroid papillary microcarcinoma by imaging studies, including ultrasonography, has led to a new problem: how should we handle these minute lesions? They can show multifocality and lymph-node metastasis, but are usually slow growing. This Review suggests that observation without surgery is an attractive alternative to surgery, at least in low-risk patients.
- Yasuhiro Ito
- Akira Miyauchi