Thyroid cancer in Ecuador: A genetic variants review and a cross-sectional population-based analysis before and after COVID-19 pandemic

Response to a letter to the editor, “Studying the incidence of thyroid cancer in Ecuador: 2016–2021”

“…We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the letter from Dr. Lopez Gavilanez regarding our recently published article, “Thyroid cancer in Ecuador: A genetic variants review and a cross-sectional population-based analysis before and after COVID-19 pandemic” [ 1 ].…”

Studying the incidence of thyroid cancer in Ecuador: 2016–2021

“…I have read with great interest the paper published by Paz Cruz E et al in the journal Heliyon 10 (2024) e23964 available online on December 21, 2023 [ 1 ]. The aim of this study is to describe the genetic variants of thyroid cancer present in the Ecuadorian population and the patterns of incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in Ecuador in the period 2016 to 2021.…”

“…In 2020, the incidence decreased to 14 cases per 100,000 population, rising again in 2021 to 19 cases per 100,000. The mortality rate was 0.91 ± 0.08 deaths per 100,000 population [ 1 ].…”

“…In the study by Paz Cruz E [ 1 ] although the authors acknowledge among the limitations of their paper that the database used (hospital discharge yearbook) "is not specifically designed to discriminate between multiple instances in which the same patient is admitted to and discharged from a hospital. In addition, it may not capture thyroid cancer cases that do not require hospitalization, creating a potential risk of case duplication."…”