Biomaterial Database

Epidemiology of thyroid microcarcinoma found in autopsy series conducted in areas of different iodine intake. 2005

Gábor L Kovács, and Gábor Gonda, and Gizella Vadász, and Eva Ludmány, and Katalin Uhrin, and Zoltán Görömbey, and László Kovács, and Erika Hubina, and Miklós Bodó, and Miklós I Góth, and István Szabolcs

Department of Internal Medicine, National Medical Center, H-1221 Budapest, Hungary. g.kovacs@freemail.hu

The prevalence of thyroid microcarcinomas found at autopsies is 100-1000 times higher than in clinical cancer. The epidemiological and histological characteristics of thyroid microcarcinomas in consecutive series of autopsies performed in two areas of different iodine intake were investigated. Iodine deficient (ID) area: n = 222 (M = 109, F = 113), median age: 74-76 years, median iodine excretion (MIE) of nursing home residents from this area: 70 microg/g creatinine. Iodine sufficient (IS) area: n = 221 (M = 132, F = 89), median age: 68 years, MIE: 500 microg/g creatinine. When compared to the IS area, the results obtained in the ID area showed a higher thyroid weight (mean 27.75 g +/- 18.43 g vs. 16.5 g +/- 9.6 g, p < 0.0001) and a larger number of goitrous glands (50/222 vs. 5/221, p < 0.0001). Altogether 21 microcarcinomas were found (4.74%) with no iodine intake- or gender-related difference: ID n = 11 (4.95%), M/F = 8/3; IS n = 10 (4.52%), M/F = 6/4. Microcarcinomas seemed to be more prevalent in the 40-59-year age group. All microcarcinomas were of the papillary type. In conclusion, compared to clinical cancer, thyroid microcarcinomas are characterized by a two-scale higher prevalence, are not related to iodine intake, gender or nodularity, are most exclusively of the papillary type.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007455	Iodine	A nonmetallic element of the halogen group that is represented by the atomic symbol I, atomic number 53, and atomic weight of 126.90. It is a nutritionally essential element, especially important in thyroid hormone synthesis. In solution, it has anti-infective properties and is used topically.	Iodine-127,Iodine 127
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D002291	Carcinoma, Papillary	A malignant neoplasm characterized by the formation of numerous, irregular, finger-like projections of fibrous stroma that is covered with a surface layer of neoplastic epithelial cells. (Stedman, 25th ed)	Carcinomas, Papillary,Papillary Carcinoma,Papillary Carcinomas
D005247	Feeding Behavior	Behavioral responses or sequences associated with eating including modes of feeding, rhythmic patterns of eating, and time intervals.	Dietary Habits,Eating Behavior,Faith-based Dietary Restrictions,Feeding Patterns,Feeding-Related Behavior,Food Habits,Diet Habits,Eating Habits,Behavior, Eating,Behavior, Feeding,Behavior, Feeding-Related,Behaviors, Eating,Behaviors, Feeding,Behaviors, Feeding-Related,Diet Habit,Dietary Habit,Dietary Restriction, Faith-based,Dietary Restrictions, Faith-based,Eating Behaviors,Eating Habit,Faith based Dietary Restrictions,Faith-based Dietary Restriction,Feeding Behaviors,Feeding Pattern,Feeding Related Behavior,Feeding-Related Behaviors,Food Habit,Habit, Diet,Habit, Dietary,Habit, Eating,Habit, Food,Habits, Diet,Pattern, Feeding,Patterns, Feeding,Restrictions, Faith-based Dietary
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006814	Hungary	A country in Europe, northwest of Romania, south of Slovakia, and east of Austria. The capital is Budapest.
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly