Abstract

Dr. Noreena Aslam*, Dr. Farah Mustafa, Dr. Muhammad Baber Shehzad, Dr. Shumaila Manzoor, Dr. Anam Ghaffar

ABSTRACT

Background: Thyroid lesions are a common problem in Pakistan. The prevalence varies in different regions of the country according to multiple studies due to the unequal distribution of iodine. The thyroid disorders in the country range from goiter to thyroid malignancies and medical practitioners can request a histopathological evaluation of any of these lesions for diagnostic purposes. Objective: The study aims at determining the types of thyroid lesions in Pakistan and the common gender and age groups that are predisposed to the disease. Patients and Methodology: The study was carried out at the pathology department of Nawaz Sharif Social Security Teaching Hospital Lahore, for a duration of 9 months from January 4th 2018 to September 8th 2019. A total of 125 people underwent a histopathological evaluation at the request of a medical practitioner for further assessment. The collected samples were analyzed and the recorded. Results: The ages of the patient ranged from 31 to 74 years, with a median age of 59 years and a mean age 48.3±3.8 years. Females were 74 (59.2%) while the males were 51(40.8%). Goiter or thyroid enlargement was higher in patients aged between 31 to 39 years, and thyroid carcinoma was most prevalent in the geriatrics aged 57 to 74 years. In all the results of the analysis obtained, females dominated all the disorders from goiter, thyroid nodules, and thyroid carcinoma. An assessment of the types of thyroid carcinoma was done which showed that papillary carcinoma was the most prevalent at 29 (83%) followed by medullary and follicular thyroid carcinoma at 5.7% and 2.95% respectively. Conclusion: Thyroid lesions are common in Pakistan. The prevalence of the disease increases with advanced age. Females are more affected by all types of thyroid diseases than males. Papillary carcinoma is the most prevalent type of thyroid cancer.