Bilaterality as a Risk Factor for Recurrence in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Previous studies suggested that the multifocality of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) would increase the risk of recurrence; however, the impact of its bilaterality remains unclear. Between 2011 and 2018, 1258 patients with PTC underwent total thyroidectomy at Ewha University Medical Center. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 95.7% in patients with bilateral PTC, while those with unilateral multifocal PTC and a unifocal tumor showed a 5-year event-free survival rate of 97.0% and 97.8%, respectively (p = 0.004). A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model indicated that bilaterality (HR 2.550, 95% CI 1.354–4.800), male sex (HR 2.010, 95% CI 1.007–4.013), and tumor size (HR 1.748, 95% CI 1.316–2.323) were associated with recurrence, although unilateral multifocality did not increase the risk of recurrence (HR 1.211, 95% CI 0.348–4.213). In conclusion, bilaterality was associated with aggressive features, including tumor size and microscopic ETE. Moreover, bilaterality was an independent predictor of recurrence in patients with PTC. Patients with bilateral PTC might require careful treatment and follow-up approaches.