Histopathologic pattern of thyroid disease.

BACKGROUND: Diseases of the thyroid are manifested by alteration in hormone secretion, enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter), or both. The principal diseases of the thyroid gland are goiter (diffuse or nodular), hypo or hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis and neoplasms. The incidence and prevalence of these thyroid diseases in a given community are variable depending on various factors. Simple (non-toxic) goiter is extremely common throughout the world and is most prevalent in mountainous areas. The reported prevalance of goiter in Ethiopia varies between 18% and 30%.
OBJECTIVE: To review the histopathologic patterns of thyroid disease and their relationship with age and sex over a five year period.
SETTING: Tikur Anbessa teaching and referral hospital, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of five years biopsy material from patients with thyroid disease.
RESULTS: Seven hundred and eighty consecutive patients with thyroid disease were included in the study. Six hundred and sixty (79%) were found to be non-neoplastic and 164 (21%) were neoplastic. Nodular colloid goiter (NCG) were found in 600 (76.9%) cases. Adenoma, carcinoma and thyroiditis accounted for 100 (12.8%), 64 (8.2%) and 16 (2.1%) cases respectively. Female to male ratio was 4.5:1. Eighty five point seven per cent of the thyroid diseases were found in the age group 20-59 years.
CONCLUSION: Nodular colloid goiter is the most prevalent thyroid disease. Papillary carcinoma is the most frequent cancer seen in this series. Appropriate measures should be taken to reduce the iodine deficiency states in the diet to alleviate the social and medical consequences of the NCG. Similary clinical evaluation of goiter should be thorough, and use all means especially histopathologic study of the specimens to arrive at a definitive diagnosis as thyroid carcinoma is not uncommon.