Evolution in the profile of thyroid cancer cases treated in an oncology reference service: what changed in the last 20 years

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of thyroid carcinoma cases treated at a reference hospital for cancer between 2008 and 2010.Methods: we studied 807 cases and analyzed the following clinicopathologic variables: symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic tests, staging, histological type, treatment performed and complications.Results: Females were more affected, with 660 cases (82%). The average age at diagnosis was 44.5 years. Prior exposure to ionizing radiation was reported by 22 (3%) patients, a family history of thyroid cancer by 89 (11%), and 289 (36%) individuals reported other types of cancer in the family. The fine needle aspiration biopsy was the main parameter for surgical indication and was suggestive of carcinoma in 463 patients (57%). Papillary carcinoma was the most common histological type, with 780 cases (96.6%). There were 728 (90%) total thyroidectomies, 43 (5.3%) reoperations or partial thyroidectomies followed by totalization, 23 (2.8%) extended thyroidectomies and only 13 (1.6%) partial thyroidectomies (lobectomy with isthmectomy). Neck dissection associated with thyroidectomy was done in 158 patients (19.5%). We observed a predominance of tumors classified as T1 in 602 (74.6%) patients. Transient hypocalcemia was the most frequent complication.Conclusion: The results show that the worldwide increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer has changed the profile of patients seen at a referral service. In addition, there were changes in the type of surgical treatment used, with increased use of total thyroidectomy in relation to partial and subtotal ones, and decreased use of elective neck dissections.

Variations and results of retroauricular robotic thyroid surgery associated or not with neck dissection

“…So far, several publications have shown comparable rates of postoperative complications when comparing conventional to robotic thyroid surgery. In this study, we also found the complication rate to be comparable with conventional thyroid surgery according to previously published data from our group (50)(51)(52)(53)(54). Quality assessment by comparing outcome indicators with established benchmarks (25)(26)(27) can be used to define the outcome of an intervention and measure an improvement in outcomes caused by a modification of a treatment or care process (55).…”

Characterization of thyroid tissue using infrared spectroscopy

“…Characterization of thyroid tissue using infrared spectroscopy of thyroid cancer was found in the female gender (82% -660 cases) 2 compared with that in the male gender (18% -147 cases) 3,4 . Increased incidence of new cases of thyroid cancer has been observed worldwide, attributed both to development of diagnostic tools and greater access of the population to the health system.…”

Current therapeutic options for low‐risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: Scoping evidence review

“…However, these new treatment options are still evolving to find their specific place in the therapeutic algorithm. Some have argued that these treatment options for LRTCs are interchangeable, and that less invasive methods can minimize complications, decrease the extent of surgery, and optimize outcomes 2–4 . Nonetheless, surgeons are confronted with several new therapeutic options but without clear indications for specific selection, and relatively inadequate literature to compare these novel alternatives with open thyroid surgery.…”