Predictive Factors for Active Surveillance of Subcentimeter Thyroid Nodules with Highly Suspicious US Features

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the outcomes of subcentimeter thyroid nodules with highly suspicious ultrasonography (US) features and to investigate the predictive factors associated with malignancy and aggressive biological behavior to determine appropriate candidate factors for active surveillance.

METHODS: Between June 2011 and December 2013, 1866 subcentimeter thyroid nodules with highly suspicious US features that were subjected to US-guided fine needle aspiration and subsequent surgery or US follow-up of at least 2 years were evaluated. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent clinical characteristics and US features associated with the malignancy rate and aggressive biological behavior.

RESULTS: Of the 1866 subcentimeter thyroid nodules, 821 (44.0%) were benign and 1045 (56.0%) were malignant. Age younger than 45 years, presence of microcalcification, and a taller than wide shape on US were associated independently with malignancy in the subcentimeter thyroid nodules (P < 0.05). Of 1041 evaluated papillary microcarcinomas, a multivariate analysis revealed that male gender, presence of microcalcification, and a taller than wide on US were independently associated with lymph node metastasis and ATA intermediate risk (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Age younger than 45 years, male gender, and subcentimeter thyroid nodules exhibiting microcalcification, and a taller than wide shape on US might be not good candidate factors for active surveillance.