Frequency of Thyroid Malignancy and Surgical Outcomes in a Private Low-resource Center: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Thyroid being an endocrine gland is involved in a diverse problems ranging from benign to a more concerned malignancy. A benign looking thyroid swelling in a regular surgical clinic has to be evaluated and managed accordingly. Thyroid diseases are commoner in females than in males. Aim: To identify the frequency of thyroid malignancy among patients with goiters in a private setting. Methods: This is a 2-year analytical descriptive retrospective study. All patients who underwent thyroidectomy in the center within the last two years who were16years and above were recruited. Data were collected from hospital record and patients’ details; age, sex, presenting complaints, investigations, diagnosis and treatment method were gotten. Results of their diagnosis and treatment were analyzed using Chi square for categorical values and T test for continuous variables. Results: During the period of 2 years January 2022 to January 2024, 22  thyroidectomies were performed in the private hospital. Eighteen (18) (81.8%) were females, four (4) (18.2%) were males. Of all the thyroidectomies, three (3) (13.6%) were malignant (follicular thyroid cancer) while nineteen (19) (86.4%) were benign. Fifteen (68.2%) patients had total thyroidectomy, 5(22.7%) patients had hemithyroidectomy and 2(9.1%) patients had completion thyroidectomy. Conclusion: The frequency of thyroid malignancy in our practice is low. Follicular thyroid cancer is the commonest differentiated thyroid cancer in the region. Thyroidectomy is safe and feasible in a low resource private center with expertise. Limitations: The small sample size makes the findings difficult to arrive at a definitive suggestion.