Primary malignant tumors of the thyroid gland.A clinicopathologic study of 254 cases

Abstract

Of 254 primary malignant tumors of the thyroid gland diagnosed in the pathology department of the University of Cape Town, 212 (83.5%) were differentiated carcinomas. In this differentiated group, tumors composed exclusively of papillary structures exhibited the most favorable prognosis; local recurrences and/or spread were noted in tumors with a mixed papillary and follicular pattern and, more commonly, in those with a pure follicular pattern. A chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis occurred in association with 21 tumors (8.3%) but an associated multinodular goitre was found in only nine patients (3.5%). In addition to the well-known preponderance of thyroid carcinoma in women, a majority of lesions occurred in white patients in this series despite a higher hospital admission rate for coloreds (mulattos).