Thyroid cancer incidence and mortality in Latin America

This study analyzed trends in thyroid cancer incidence and mortality in countries of Latin America. Ecological study of time series, with incidence data extracted from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in the 1990-2012 period and mortality data obtained from 16 countries of the World Health Organization (WHO), in the 1995-2013 period. The trend of incidence rate was analyzed by the Joinpoint regression. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) and the 95% confidence interval (CI 95%) were calculated for incidence and mortality. The average rate of thyroid cancer incidence was higher in Quito (Ecuador) between the ages of 40 to 59 years old, 42.2 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants, as well as mortality 4.8 deaths per 100,000 women inhabitants above 60 years old. There was an increase in thyroid cancer incidence trends in women, for all age groups, in Cali, Costa Rica and Quito and men in Costa Rica; there was stability above the age of 60 years old in Cali, Goiania, Quito and Valdivia in men, as well as women in Goiania and Valdivia. There was a trend of increasing mortality for females in three countries: Ecuador (AAPC= 3,28 CI 95% 1,36;5,24), Guatemala (AAPC= 6,14 CI 95% 2,81;9,58) and Mexico (AAPC= 0,67 CI 95% 0,16;1,18). Thyroid cancer in Latin America showed a high incidence, with increased incidence in women. Stability in mortality was observed for most countries of Latin America.