Pattern of Thyroid Cancer at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah: A 10-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background and objective: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. This report aims to describe the pattern of thyroid cancer presentations at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah. Methods: This was a retrospect chart review of all thyroid cancer cases diagnosed between 2001 and 2010 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah. We documented patients’ demographic and clinical data, including age at diagnosis, tumor type and size, extrathyroidal extension, and metastasis. Results: A total of 114 thyroid cancer cases were diagnosed from 2001 through 2010. Females comprise the majority of cases (female to male ratio of 4:1). The mean ages of patients diagnosed with different thyroid cancers were: papillary thyroid cancer, 39.6 years; follicular thyroid cancer, 43.2 years; medullary thyroid cancer, 55.8 years; and anaplastic thyroid cancer, 46.0 years. Papillary thyroid cancer was diagnosed in 88 cases (77%), follicular thyroid cancer in 19 cases (17%), medullary thyroid cancer in 5 cases (4%), and anaplastic thyroid cancer in 2 cases (2%). Conclusion: Thyroid cancers are more common among females. The disease is diagnosed at a relatively young age among our patients (40 years). Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer.