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Background : This study was done to see if there were correlations between anatomic and molecular parameters such as microvessel density (MVD), lymphatic vessel density (LVD), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3 expression and various clinical parameters for papillary thyroid carcinomas of size > 1.0 cm (PTCs) and size ≤ 1.0 cm (papillary thyroid microcarcinomas, PTMCs). PTMCs were divided into two subgroups (0-5 mm and 6-10 mm). Methods : We analyzed 197 thyroid carcinomas including 113 PTCs and 84 PTMCs. Tissue samples form 30 patients from each group matched for clinical characteristics were selected for immunostaining. Results : Although PTCs and PTMCs showed significant differences in clinical characteristics, they did not show significant difference in MVD, LVD, or VEGFR-3 expression. There was a significantly higher LVD in the PTMC subgroup with the larger tumors but no difference in clinical characteristics. LVD was higher in patients > 45 years old (more apparent in the PTC group) and LVD had suggestive correlations with multicentricity and extrathyroidal extension depending on analytic conditions. Conclusions : Since LVD showed variable correlations with clinical variables for papillary carcinoma of the thyroid depending on analytic conditions, the individually planned treatments based on overall clinicopathological factors are advised.
