Hidden cancer cells in lymph nodes may force second thyroid surgery in many patients
NCT ID NCT06439745
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study looked at 314 patients with small, early-stage papillary thyroid cancer who had surgery to remove half of the thyroid. During the operation, doctors checked nearby lymph nodes for hidden cancer spread. If cancer was found, the rest of the thyroid was removed in the same surgery. The goal was to see how often this happens and to help surgeons plan better.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- surgery (thyroid lobectomy with central neck dissection)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help doctors better decide who needs a more extensive thyroid surgery upfront, reducing the need for a second operation.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed observational study, not a treatment trial. The findings may not apply to all patients and do not test a new drug or therapy.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
-
314 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2014
- Finished
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Feb 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patients who underwent surgical treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma at the Surgical Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS between September 2014 and September 2023.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * age\>18 * classic papillary carcinoma and variants * clinically unifocal and intrathyroidal PTC * clinical tumor size \>1 cm and ≤3 cm * no clinical evidence of LN involvement Exclusion Criteria: * age \< 18 * prior head or neck irradiation * family history of thyroid carcinoma * clinical evidence of multifocality * extrathyroidal extension or LN metastases * follow-up \< 6 months.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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