Risk factors for postoperative recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer: a retrospective study

To investigate the risk factors for recurrence in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) following surgery and to provide guidance for reducing the risk of recurrence. The clinical data of 1,118 patients with DTC who underwent surgical treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were categorized into two groups: the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group, based on the presence or absence of recurrence. A univariate analysis was conducted on the patient data, followed by a Cox multivariate analysis to identify the risk factors for recurrence in patients with DTC after surgery. Among the eligible patients with DTC, there were 865 females and 253 males, with ages ranging from 15 to 77 years. The follow-up period lasted between 36 and 60 months, during which 46 patients experienced a recurrence. The Cox multivariate regression model analysis indicated that male gender, tumor size, multifocal tumors, central lymph node metastasis, lateral neck lymph node metastasis, and BRAF V600E gene mutation were independent risk factors for the recurrence of DTC (P < 0.05). In contrast, bilateral thyroid lobe resection was identified as an independent protective factor against the recurrence of DTC (P < 0.05). Male gender, large tumor size, multifocal tumors, neck lymph node metastasis, and BRAF V600E gene mutation are the primary risk factors for the recurrence of DTC following surgery.