Epidemiological Characteristics of Thyroid Cancer in the Split-Dalmatia County

Aim: To inestigate the incidence of thyroid cancer in the Split-Dalmatia County in the 1997-2006 period, and compare it with the incidence in the Republic of Croatia. Methods: The study was retrospectively. The data were obtained using case records of all hospitals and Public Health Institute in the County and the Croatian Cancer Registry. Age-standardized incidence per 100.000 was calculated from the number of patients with thyroid cancer and the number of inhabitants. Results: There were 503 new cases of thyroid cancer (401 women and 102 men) in the Split-Dalmatia County during 1997-2006 period. Papillary carcinoma was diagnosed in 86, 1% cases, follicular adenocarcinoma in 9, 5% cases, medular carcinoma in 4, 2% cases, and anaplastic carcinoma in 0, 2%. Age-standardized incidence rate for thyroid cancer per 100.000 population in Croatia were 8.5 (women 13.3, men 2.7) in 2003. The thyroid cancer incidence rate in Split-Dalmatia County increased from 8.2 (women 13.5, men 2.7) in 1997 to 11.5 in 2006 (women 15.6, men 7.1). Conclusion: There was increase in the reported incidence of thyroid cancer in the Split-Dalmatia County and in whole Croatia in the 1997-2006 period. Thyroid cancer was more common in females than in males.