Background: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence and poor prognosis. Identifying predictive factors for LNM can guide surgical decision-making and improve patient outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to determine the predictive factors associated with LNM in PTC patients. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients diagnosed with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy with lymph node evaluation. Clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics were analyzed. Results: LNM was present in 42% of patients. Tumor size >2 cm was significantly associated with LNM (OR = 2.8, p = 0.002). Multifocality increased the risk of LNM (OR = 2.3, p = 0.03). Extrathyroidal extension (ETE) was a strong predictor of LNM (OR = 4.6, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study identified tumor size >2 cm, multifocality and ETE as independent predictors of LNM in PTC patients. These findings support the incorporation of these factors into risk stratification models to optimize surgical management and follow-up strategies.

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, Lymph Node Metastasis, Tumor Size, Extrathyroidal Extension, Multifocality, Predictive Factors