[Estimation of thyroid cancer incidence in Chile based on pathological reports].

BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer (TC) detection is increasing steadily. AIM To determine the incidence of TC based on pathological reports of thyroidectomies. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty pathology laboratories performing thyroid gland pathological studies were identified. Those that accepted to participate were required to send trimestral reports of all thyroid pathological studies, from March 2011 to February 2012. RESULTS In the study period, 1309 case of TC were confirmed in 2614 thyroidectomy surgical samples. Considering the susceptible population according to 2012 census, the estimated incidence of TC during 2011 should be higher than 7.86 cases per 100,000 persons/year. Papillary cancer was the most common pathological type in 92% of samples (95% confidence intervals 90-93%). The proportion of microtumors was significantly higher in women than in men and among papillary than in follicular or medullary tumors. Only one fourth of tumors came from thyroidectomies performed in the Ministry of Health network. CONCLUSIONS The incidence and features of TC in Chile are similar to the figures reported abroad.