Thyroid carcinoma in black patients.

From 680 surgical specimens of thyroid disease, 31 cases of thyroid carcinoma found at Howard University Hospital, from January 1950 to December 1975, are reviewed. Eighteen (58 percent) were females and 13 (42 percent) were males. Of the 31 patients, there were 11 patients with follicular carcinoma, 11 with papillary carcinoma, seven with mixed papillary and follicular carcinoma, one with Hurthle cell carcinoma, and one with medullary carcinoma. Thyroid carcinoma accounts for only .001 percent of all admissions during the period of study, and is indeed a rare cause of disease among blacks at this institution. Recommendations for surgery and follow-up data are presented.