Thyroid Nodule <1cm and Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: What are today’s Management Options?

The referred ATA Guideline [1] eliminates the biopsy from the management of the sub centimeter nodules, suggesting repetition of sonography every 6-12 months. The committee justified this action, to indicate FNAB only for suspicious nodules above 1cm, by the indolence of the papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and because these tumors rarely present ETE, cervical lymph node or distant metastasis, especially in individuals over 60 years of age [patients younger than 40 years are at increased risk for tumor growth (5.9%) and cervical lymph node metastasis (2.2%), when compared to those over 60 years, 5.3% and 0.4%, respectively; p <0.05] [2].