[Current possibilities of detection of thyroid cancer]

The article deals with 83 cases of carcinoma of the thyroid gland (CTG) which were recognized in 1973-1991 among the population during annual screening. The morbidity rate was 0.18 per 1,000 population, and increased by 3.4 times. Guidelines for Active Detection of Nodular Masses and Malignant Tumors of the Thyroid were elaborated. Their essence is as follows: during regular medical screening a group of individuals is distinguished in whom palpable abnormalities are found in the thyroid and focal changes are revealed in it by ultrasonic examination whose performance is recommended once every two years; the revealed group of individuals is subjected to complex examination for establishing the diagnosis, after which the tactics of their management are determined; a oncorisk group is formed to be kept under active observation. After introduction of the Guidelines into practice, recognition of CTG in stages I-II increased from 67.8 to 80%, which testifies to their effectiveness.