• 1. The Second School of Clinical Medicine of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P. R. China;
  • 2. School of Clinical Medicine of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P. R. China;
  • 3. The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P. R. China;
  • 4. Department of Thyroid Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P. R. China;
ZHENG Haitao, Email: zhenghaitao1972@126.com
Export PDF Favorites Scan Get Citation

Objective  To summarize the research progress on diagnostic criteria of lymph node metastasis in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and the indication and scope of lateral cervical lymph node dissection (LCLND). Method  By searching PubMed and CNKI databases, the related guidelines and literature about the diagnosis and treatment of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis in MTC in recent years were obtained and reviewed. Results  The metastatic rate of lateral cervical lymph nodes in MTC patients was high. The indication of LCLND was both consensus and controversy. The LCLND of MTC was also controversial, and the focus of controversy mainly focused on the survival rate, recurrence rate, distant metastasis and postoperative complications of patients receiving prophylactic LCLND. Different imaging methods had their own advantages and disadvantages in diagnosing lymph node metastasis of MTC. Nuclear medicine was effective but expensive. Fine needle puncture was also an effective method for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of MTC. At present, calcitonin level, tumor size and lymph node metastasis were still important indicators for evaluating MTC for prophylactic LCLND, but the application of related indications had not been unified. Many scholars recommended comprehensive consideration of various indicators to evaluate whether MTC carried out preventive LCLND. Conclusions  The LCLND of MTC needs to be further explored and standardized on the basis of the existing consensus. The focus of prophylactic LCLND should be to improve the survival rate of patients while reducing complications as much as possible.

Citation: GU Yanzhong, YANG Rui, WU Hongji, ZHENG Haitao. Progress in diagnosis and treatment of lateral cervical lymph node dissection in medullary thyroid carcinoma. CHINESE JOURNAL OF BASES AND CLINICS IN GENERAL SURGERY, 2023, 30(10): 1273-1280. doi: 10.7507/1007-9424.202305038 Copy

  • Previous Article

    Research progress on functions and mechanisms of solute carrier family 3 member A2 in hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Next Article

    Chinese expert consensus on the inflatable video-assisted mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy