Management of thyroid carcinoma-an experience in Bangladesh

All patients (n=154) of thyroid malignancy admitted in the Otoluryngology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (former IPGMR) between 1986 and 2000 were retrospectively analyzed to find out the extent and result of surgery used for thyroid carcinoma. The other objectives were to find out the incidence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma among the thyroid malignancy and also to find out the age, sex and clinical presentation of papillary and follicular carcinoma. Among all the thyroid malignancy (n-154), Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (DTC) was seen in 130 (84.41%) cases, where as papillary carcinoma occurred in 98(63.64%), and follicular carcinoma in 32(20.77%)cases. On the basis of risk factors, the DTC were designated as low and high risk. The year-wise incidence of DTC revealed increasing trend from 1986 (3 cases) to 2000 (23 cases).Among the 98 papillary thyroid carcinoma highest number of cases (35.71%) were seen in 31-40 year age group. The male to female ratio was 1: 1.64. In follicular carcinoma, highest number (35.25%) of cases were also seen in 31-40 year age group. The male to female ratio was 1:1.66. The commonest presentation in papillary carcinoma was thyroid swelling (96.93%). The other presentations were occult thyroid (3.06%), Cervical lymph node metastasis (38.77%) and distant metastasis (2.04%). In Follicular carcinoma, the presentations were thyroid swelling (100%), Cervical lymph node metastasis (6.25%) and Distant metastasis (21.87%).In this series, low risk DTC were treated by Lobectomy & Isthmusectomy plus Thyroxin. In low risk group the rate of recurrence was 6.89% and the mortality was nil in five years follow-up. Except two inoperable cases, all high risk patients were managed by Total thyroidectomy (with or without neck dissection, plus removal of metastatic lesion when required) with Radioiodine ablation plus Thyroxin. . The rate of recurrence was 7.81% and mortality was 1.56% in high risk group in similar period of time.Vocal cord palsy were noted in 5 (3.84%) unilateral, and inane (0.76%) bilateral cases. Hypoparathyroidism was found in 4.61%.