Clinical, cytological and ultrasonographic features of incidental thyroid cancer in a hospital‐based study in vietnam

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Thyroid nodules are common diseases of the endocrine system, with a 5% prevalence rate in the general population. This study aimed to identify prevalence, clinical, cytological and ultrasonographic features of incidental thyroid cancer and its associated factors in Vietnam. Methods This cross‐sectional descriptive study consisted of 208 patients with incidental thyroid nodules detected by ultrasound at the Endocrinology Department, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam between November 2019 and August 2020. Clinical information, sonography characteristics of thyroid nodules, results of fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), postoperative pathology and lymph node metastasis were collected. A multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate factors associated with thyroid cancer. Results A total of 272 thyroid nodules (from 208 participants) were included in this study. The mean age was 47.2 ± 12.0 (years). The rate of incidental thyroid cancer patients detected was 17.3%. Nodules 45 years, OR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.3–6.1), taller‐than‐wide nodules (OR 6.8; 95% CI: 2.3–20.2) and hypo‐echoic nodules (OR 5.2; 95% CI: 1.7–15.9). Conclusion The study showed that the prevalence of incidental thyroid cancers was 17.3%, of which 100% was papillary carcinoma. People under the age of 45 and the presence of ultrasound characteristics, such as taller‐than‐wide and hypoechoic nodules increased risk for malignancy.

Keywords

• incidental
• thyroid cancer
• thyroid nodules FNAB