Endocrine Abstracts

We have collected an extensive record of more than 8000 patients with a thyroid carcinoma over the years 1946–2005. In all cases, the diagnosis was done by the histology examination carried by a pathologist. Those records were classified by their dimension and the extent of the thyroid gland. This classification is used as a basis for the treatment decision. Tumors of the bigger size needs radiotherapy with I 131 whereas the smaller tumors are subject of observation and record only.

Inappropriate classification having too course classes can lead to a mistreatment. A critical region appears to be around the size of the carcinoma equal to 1 cm. This is supported by the experimental data get from our patients database. The results show that for the size of carcinoma bigger than 1 cm there is a substantial increase in the probability of the metastasis. The analysis reveals that close to 10% patients, in the group of carcinoma up to 1 cm, had metastasis developed on nodes, on bones and on lung. The number of patients with the diagnosis falling into this critical region grows steadily during recent years, it has exhibited 12% increase in last 20 years. Based on those results, we suggest to classify the carcinoma into finer classes. This would improve probability of correct treatment decision in comparison with the current classification which covers the whole region 0–2 cm by a single class.