Clinicopathological and prognostic analysis of follicular thyroid carcinoma in a single institute over a 15-year period

Background

This study was to evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic features of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) in our institute over a 15-year period.

Methods

The clinical features, management and outcome of 134 consecutive patients were analyzed according to the time of diagnosis: Group I (1997–2001), Group II (2002–2006), and Group III (2007–2011).

Results

As time advanced, the ratio of FTC to papillary thyroid carcinoma decreased from 8.7% in group I to 4.3% in group III (p = 0.000). The percentage of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy seemed to be more commonly used in the later periods - from 10.5% in group I to 21.8% in group II and 18.9% in group III. The median diameter of tumors in group I was 4.2 cm and it showed a sharp decrease to 2.8 cm in group II and 2.9 cm in group III respectively. There was a trend towards a higher stage in patients from Group I vs. patients from Groups II and III (stage IV, 15.8% vs. 2.2% and 4.3%, p = 0.072). The outcome was improved in terms of disease-free survival (DFS). The 3-year DFS rate improved from 77.8% in group I to 93.7% in group II and 100% in group III (p = 0.008).

Conclusions

The clinical features, management and outcome of FTC patients changed over 15-year period. Patients diagnosed after 2001 had a better prognosis. This improvement was probably related to earlier diagnosis with smaller tumor size and presentation at earlier tumor stage.