Differentiated thyroid carcinoma--long term survival at the Singapore General Hospital

The results of 48 cases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated at the Singapore General Hospital in the 5-year period 1977 to 1981 are presented. The peak incidence was in the 4th decade of life. Surgery, radiotherapy, radioactive iodine and hormones were the treatment modalities that were combined. 25% of the patients received radiotherapy while 74% were given at least one dose of radioactive iodine. The overall 5-year and 9-year actuarial (uncorrected) survival rates were 94.5% and 82.2% respectively. The 4 patients who died were in the older age group while younger patients had a good prognosis.