Background:
For the period 2007-2011, central cancer registries (CCRs) that met or exceeded the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries’ “fitness for use” standards covered 97% of the United States (U.S.) population and 38% of the Canadian population. Inspired by the 2012 World Cancer Congress theme – ‘Connecting for Global Impact’ – and the knowledge that one UICC priority area is the Global Initiative for Cancer Registries, Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center (MCR-ARC) staff began “Thinking globally, acting locally” and entered into a series of collaborations with local physicians. Although mortality remains low, incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing in the U.S. and around the world. It is the most common endocrine cancer in the U.S., comprising 88.9% of all endocrine cancers among males and 96.6% among females, accounting for 1.3% and 4.2% of all cancers diagnosed in the U.S. among males and females, respectively.
Aim:
Characterize thyroid cancer in Missouri.
Methods:
We reviewed the MCR database for diagnosis years 1996-2011 to identify Missouri residents with thyroid as the primary site for cancer.
Results:
A total of 8,655 cases met the inclusion criteria. For 2007-2011 cases, thyroid cases comprised 88.1% and 97.0% of endocrine cases and 1.2% and 3.8% of all cases among males and females, respectively.
Conclusions:
Collaboration is benefitting both parties. Increases in both incidence and prevalence of patients with thyroid cancer pose unique challenges to clinicians including long-term follow-up plan, cost of care and maintenance of quality of life. It is also important to address reasons for the increase in thyroid cancer and evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic issues. Improved outcomes will require a multidisciplinary approach focused on not only acute treatment but also patient education and long-term surveillance. Next steps: Disseminate results, finalize plan and obtain funding. Encourage similar collaborations.