Thyroid pathology in the aged

: Following a review of the literature on this topic, the authors examine all patients with thyroid pathologies who were admitted to the 1st Institute of Surgical Pathology of the University of Pavia between 1-1-1974 and 31-12-1990. Only patients aged over 65 were included in the study and were subdivided into two groups, namely those aged between 65-74 (3rd age) and those over 75 (4th age). Particular attention was focused on the type of pathology (benign or malignant), other pathologies associated to the basic pathology, the type of operation performed and, in the case of malignant diseases, the histological type of tumour and any metastasis. The results of this series were then compared to those reported elsewhere. The Authors conclude that thyroid pathologies in geriatric patients are very important since, given that at this age the gland is becoming atrophic, the onset of disease often occurs before the age of 65 and symptoms in these patients are imprecise. In view of the good results obtained, it is always worth operating in order to give the patient a reasonable life expectancy, especially in those cases with collateral disorders (compression) caused by the thyroid mass.