Background and aim: Information on patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma in South Africa is limited. The\nobjective of this study was to review demographics and tumour characteristics in a cohort of patients with differentiated\nthyroid carcinoma, presenting to Groote Schuur Hospital and evaluate risk factors for recurrence and survival.\nPatients and methodology: Retrospective demographic and clinical data were collected on all patients referred\nbetween January 2003 and December 2013. Prognostic factors for recurrence free survival and cancer specific survival\nwere assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.\nResults: The total number of patients was 231.The median age at presentation was 44 years and 82% were female\npatients. The pathological sub-types were papillary (60.6%), follicular (38.9%) and poorly differentiated (0.5%). Total\nthyroidectomy was performed in 191 patients and 30 patients required neck dissections. A total of 171 (74%) patients\nreceived 131Iodine. The recurrence free and cause specific survival rates at 10 years were 83 and 91%, respectively. Nodal\ndisease at presentation was the only significant risk factor for recurrence (p < 0.001) on multivariate analysis. Significant\nrisk factors for cause specific mortality were age ..... 45 years (p = 0.006), follicular pathology (p = 0.004), extra-thyroid\nextension (p = 0.013) and residual tumour (p = 0.004).\nConclusions: Consistent with international trends, patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated at Groote\nSchuur Hospital had a favourable prognosis. The known risk factors associated with recurrence and survival in this South\nAfrican cohort were consistent with those reported in developed countries.
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