Evolution of thyroid cancer mortality in adults in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To assess the trend of thyroid cancer mortality in Brazil between 1980 and 2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS An ecological study of time series. Mortality rates for thyroid cancer adjusted by age according to gender were calculated between 1980 and 2010. Data were analyzed by three distinct strategies: polynomial regression, joinpoint analysis, and moving averages. RESULTS Over 70% of deaths occur in the elderly, regardless of sex. Among young adults, the mortality rate is low, with no difference between men and women. Among mature adults and elderly, mortality is increasing, and significantly, for women. There is a trend of decreasing mortality in all female adults and overall population, and in males and 40-59 years and overall population, both excluding the elderly, with statistical significance. CONCLUSION Knowledge about trends allows setting priorities and allocating resources toward positive changes in this scenario in the Brazilian population.