Epidemiology and Surgical Characteristics of Thyroid Cancer in United Arab Emirates: Review of 100 Consecutive Patients

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Thyroid cancer incidence is increasing globally. There is limited data regarding the epidemiology of thyroid cancer in the Middle East and North Africa region. This region has also experienced socioeconomic changes recently that have influenced the histopathological and epidemiological pattern of thyroid cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the histological, epidemiologic, and surgical factors of thyroid cancer patients who underwent thyroidectomy at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent thyroidectomy and found to have thyroid cancer over a 2-year period from July 2015 - July 2017. The histopathological data were reviewed based on the College of American Pathologists Protocol for Carcinomas of Thyroid Gland (American Joint Committee on Cancer, 7th edition, 2010). Results: One hundred patients underwent surgery for thyroid carcinoma in our patient population. In these cancer patients, the female to male ratio was 5.25:1 and 71 patients (71%) were below 45 years of age. The most common surgery performed was total thyroidectomy at 75.7%. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) was the most common pathology in 89%, followed by follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) in 9%, one case of mixed papillary follicular carcinoma, and one case of Hurthle cell carcinoma. Hypocalcemia was the most common postoperative complication (20.6%). Conclusion: PTC, traditionally seen in iodine sufficient regions, is the most common histologic subtype of thyroid cancer and its rates are increasing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Female gender and age <45 were associated with thyroid carcinoma in our UAE patient cohort.

Associated Complications and survival rate after thyroid cancer operation

“…December 2023 ,Volume 25, Issue 2 According to the guideline of American Thyroid Association of surgeons the indication of total thyroidectomy (TT) should be tumor size, histopathologic report and radiologic findings [38]. In our study, 81.9% of patients underwent TT which is higher than what was published by Alawadhi et al (2020) and less than that of Alzahrani et al (2017) [28,39]. The tendency for TT may come from the fact of difficulty of regular follow-up in our locality.…”

Clinical practice patterns in the management of thyroid nodules: The first survey from the Middle East and Africa

“…[10][11][12][13][14] Thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer in the Middle East and Gulf seem to increase interest. [15][16][17] The current survey aimed to scope the clinical practice patterns in managing thyroid nodules by physicians in managing thyroid disease from MEA.…”

“…[10][11][12][13][14] Thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer in the Middle East and Gulf seem to increase interest. [15][16][17] The current survey aimed to scope the clinical practice patterns in managing thyroid nodules by physicians in managing thyroid disease from MEA.Objective: We sought to scope the practices in managing thyroid nodules in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Materials and Methods: Survey of a convenience sample of physicians concerned with the management of thyroid disease.…”