| Popis: |
This study aims at comparing the histological, age and sex distribution of thyroid cancer in the Hong Kong Chinese with a similar study undertaken 13 years ago. Ninety consecutive cases from 1986 to 1988 were reviewed. Only cases diagnosed by biopsy or surgical excision were included. Autopsy cases and incidental occult papillary carcinoma were excluded. The revised WHO classification was used. 72.5% were papillary carcinoma, 23.1% follicular carcinoma, 1.1% undifferentiated carcinoma, 2.2% medullary carcinoma. The overall male:female (M:F) ratio was 1:3.5. Compared to the previous study, the proportion of papillary carcinoma was altered from 59.8% to 72.5%, that of follicular carcinoma from 21.3% to 23.1%, that of undifferentiated carcinoma from 16.4% to 1.1%. Although the overall M:F ratio was similar (1:3.1 versus 1:3.5), in papillary carcinoma, the M:F ratio was altered from 1:2.8 to 1:4.7; and in follicular carcinomas from 1:5.5 to 1:2.0. There was also a shift in age incidence of follicular carcinoma in males to the older age groups. While the changes in histological types might be due to changes in classification, the changes in sex ratio and age distribution were probably genuine. These changing patterns might help to determine the aetiology of thyroid cancer. |
