Ultrasonographic screening for occult thyroid cancer

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Occult thyroid carcinoma is found in approximately 10% of thyroid glands during autopsies.
• Previous studies indicate a significant prevalence of hidden thyroid cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic thyroid carcinoma in the Hong Kong Chinese population.
• To assess the utility of ultrasonographic screening for detecting subclinical thyroid cancer.

Main Methods:

• 1140 asymptomatic volunteers underwent ultrasonographic screening for thyroid cancer.
• Ultrasonography-guided aspiration cytology was performed on subjects with thyroid nodules.
• Pathologic diagnosis confirmed thyroid cancer in identified cases.

Main Results:

• Thyroid nodules were detected in 45% of subjects (511/1140).
• Cytologic findings suspicious for malignancy were present in 2.3% of subjects (26/1140).
• A pathologic diagnosis of thyroid cancer was confirmed in 1.2% of subjects (14/1140), primarily papillary and follicular types.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasonographic screening effectively identifies a high incidence of occult thyroid cancer.
• Early diagnosis of asymptomatic thyroid cancer enables prompt intervention or vigilant monitoring.