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Merits of the PMiT (Papillary Microtumor) Terminology in the Definition of a Subset of Incidental Papillary Microcarcinomas of the Thyroid

Department of Biomedical Sciences and Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy, sofia.asioli{at}unito.it

Chiara Odasso, MD

Department of Surgery, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Luigia Macrì, MD

1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Nicola Palestini, MD

Department of Surgery, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Gianni Bussolati, MD, FRCPath

1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

An exponential increase in the detection of papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs) has been observed in recent times, possibly because of recent improvements in the management of thyroid lesions and extensive histological examination. However, no definitive treatment guideline has been developed for PTMC, resulting in patients undergoing overtreatment. In 2003, the term papillary microtumor of the thyroid (PMiT) was proposed for small (1 cm) intrathyroidal tumors with excellent prognostic prospects along with strict definition criteria. Since then, the term PMiT has been adopted by clinicians and surgeons. In this article, the authors report a series of 50 consecutive cases of PMiT collected and treated at the University Hospital of Turin, Italy. From the authors’ experience, this terminology, which demarks a subset of PTMC, should be widely adopted as it is biologically sound, well accepted by both clinicians and patients, decreases the danger of overtreatment, minimizes the psychological anxiety engendered by a diagnosis of carcinoma, and maintains the patient’s eligibility for health insurance.

Key Words: PMiT • papillary • microcarcinoma • thyroid

This version was published on October 1, 2009

International Journal of Surgical Pathology, Vol. 17, No. 5, 378-383 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1066896908321181


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