Papillary carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for approximately 75-85% of cases. It typically arises from the follicular cells and has an excellent prognosis due to its slow growth and high radiosensitivity. Surgically, total or near-total thyroidectomy is often performed to remove the primary tumor and reduce recurrence risk. Additionally, careful dissection of the central neck lymph nodes is important because papillary carcinoma frequently metastasizes to regional lymph nodes. Early detection and comprehensive surgical management are key to improving long-term outcomes.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Jameson et al., 20th Edition.