Tumor size and molecular risk group are associated with differentiated thyroid cancer recurrence

Overall, structural recurrences for differentiated thyroid carcinomas ≤4 cm were low (<5%) and molecuar testing was the only preoperative variable associated with recurrence. However, when molecular risk group intermediate risk was present, larger tumor size (2.1-4 cm) had a 2-fold greater risk of recurrence compared with tumors 1-2 cm, and size may still be helpful to guide management. When considering de-escalated treatment for the proposed guidelines with a cutoff of 2 cm, initial decision-making may be further optimized with identification of preoperative molecular risk groups.