Changing patterns of thyroid carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To assess changing trends in histological types of thyroid cancer in an Irish hospital over the past 30 years.

METHODS:

Biographical data, tumour characteristics, treatment and outcome from 190 patients with thyroid carcinoma from 1970 to 2000 were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS:

Detailed records of 190 patients with thyroid cancer were identified with a mean age at presentation of 50 years. From 1970 to 1979 the distribution of histological types was: papillary carcinoma; 9 patients (4.7%), follicular; 17 patients (8.9%), anaplastic; 9 patients (4.7%), medullary; 1 patient (0.5%) and lymphoma; 1 patient (0.5%). From 1980 to 1989 papillary carcinoma accounted for 32 patients (16.8%), follicular; 14 patients (7.3%), anaplastic; 13 patients (6.8%), medullary; 7 patients (3.7%) and lymphoma; 5 patients (2.6%). From 1990 to 1999 papillary cancer accounted for 48 patients (25.2%), follicular; 14 patients (7.3%), anaplastic; 8 patients (4.2%), medullary; 7 patients (3.7%) and lymphoma; 5 patients (2.6%). Survival rates were significantly better for those aged less than 45 years (P < 0.0001), female sex (P < 0.01) and those with papillary carcinoma (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrated a significant increase in the incidence of papillary carcinoma. This may be related to increasing dietary iodine intake and may be significant as papillary carcinoma is associated with a more favourable prognosis.

• Authors: B Dijkstra, R S Prichard, A Lee, L M Kelly, P P A Smyth, T Crotty, E W McDermott, A D K Hill, N O'Higgins
• Journal: Irish journal of medical science (Ir J Med Sci) 2007 Jul-Sep Vol. 176 Issue 2 Pg. 87-90 ISSN: 1863-4362 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 17486294 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Iodine

Topics

• Age Factors
• Carcinoma, Papillary (epidemiology)
• Diet
• Female
• Humans
• Incidence
• Iodine (administration & dosage)
• Ireland (epidemiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prognosis
• Retrospective Studies
• Thyroid Neoplasms (epidemiology, mortality, pathology)