Resumen

VALENCIAGA RODRIGUEZ, José Luis et al. Thyroid cancer in Cuba: A 14-year study. Rev Cubana Endocrinol [online]. 2005, vol.16, n.3, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-2953.

The National Cancer Registry of Cuba (NCRC) provides information for the analysis of the incidence of this disease in our country, which is a tool to identify medical assistance needs, to plan the adequate use of resources and lay out strategies on the health care actions to be taken. The objective of this study was to present and analyze the incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) in Cuba. A retrospective descriptive research study of TC was performed from 1988 to 2001, which used variables such as age, sex, place of origin, histological diagnosis and clinical stage contributed by the NCRC. Frequency distributions and adjusted rates were estimated, and data were shown in tables and charts. Of 4 183 cases, 81.3 % were females and the age average was 45,9 17,5 years. The incidence rate sharply rose in 1996 and kept steady but higher figures than in previous years. Males and over 60 years-old group were the most affected (23,7 and 33,2 %) whereas the 30-39 age group (22,2 %) was the most incidental among females. Cienfuegos notified the highest amount of cases. 42 % of carcinomas was well-differentiated and 40,4 was classified in clinical staging I. The grade of histological differentiation and the clinical stage of cancer were unknown in 52 and 41,8 % of cases respectively. It was concluded that the increasing trend of TC cancer in the last few years demands improved quality in TC notification in order to raise the level of knowledge about this entity in our country and thus develop adequate prevention and control strategies.

Palabras clave : Cancer registry; thyroid cancer; notifying units.