DISTRIBUTION OF THYROID PATHOLOGIES IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS IN GEORGIA

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) results is crucial for thyroid nodule diagnosis.
• Understanding the distribution of Bethesda categories across different demographic groups is essential for refining diagnostic and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the diagnostic criteria of the Bethesda System for thyroid FNAB results.
• To determine the distribution of Bethesda categories based on age and sex in a Georgian patient cohort.
• To correlate FNAB results with histology and assess malignancy rates within different age groups.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 600 thyroid FNABs performed between 2013-2014.
• Classification of patients into four age groups (20-35, 36-50, 51-65, 66-80 years).
• Clinical, ultrasound, FNAB, and histological data were utilized for correlation and malignancy risk assessment.

Main Results:

• Overall, 63.3% of cases were benign nodules, predominantly found in middle-aged groups (II and III).
• Bethesda class 3 (AUS/FLUS) had a 20.4% malignancy rate, also common in middle-aged groups.
• The youngest age group (20-35 years) exhibited the highest proportion of Bethesda class 6 (malignant) diagnoses, indicating a high risk of thyroid cancer in this demographic.

Conclusions:

• While benign thyroid nodules are common in middle-aged individuals, a notable increase in malignancy risk is observed in younger adults (20-35 years).
• The study highlights the importance of considering age as a critical factor in the risk stratification of thyroid nodules diagnosed via FNAB.
• These findings underscore the need for vigilant monitoring and potentially tailored diagnostic approaches for younger patients presenting with thyroid nodules.