WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Tabarak Abbas Khudair*, Ban J. Qasim and Alaa G. Hussein

ABSTRACT

Background: Lesions of the thyroid gland are common around the world, albeit their prevalence and histological pattern vary by age group, gender, nutrition and environment. However; up to our knowledge, Histological description of goiter cases has not yet been studied in Tikrit Province, Iraq. Aim of study: To assess the histopathological findings of cases presented with goiter in a sample of Iraqi patients in Tikrit province and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters including (age, gender, thyroid status, and gross features of goiter). Methods: This is a cross sectional study that was conducted in Tikrit province. The cases involved were patients who presented with goiter that needed surgical resection. Assessment of histopathological diagnosis in relation to clinicopathological parameters was done. Results: A total number of 150 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 40.4 years ± 12.5, with most patients being of 20-39 years. The gender distribution showed a female predominance, as the female to male ratio was 10.5:1. multinodular goiter was the most common type (54.7%) among non-neoplastic lesions. Concerning benign neoplastic lesions, follicular adenoma was the most common (14.7%). As for malignant neoplasms, papillary carcinoma (intracystic, micropapillary, encapsulated) was the only type as it was detected in (8.0%). A statistically significant association was detected between histopathological diagnosis and both gross features and thyroid status, while No significant association was found between histopathology and neither age, gender. Moreover, no significant association was between thyroid status and thyroid malignancy. Conclusion: Non-neoplastic lesions constituted the majority of thyroid lesion with multinodular goiter being the most common. Concerning neoplastic lesion, follicular adenoma was the most common benign tumor; while papillary carcinoma was the only detected malignant neoplasm. The peak incidence was in the age group (20-29 years). Gender distribution showed overwhelming female predominance. A statistically significant association was detected between histopathological diagnosis and each of gross features, and thyroid status. Moreover, thyroid malignancy was significantly more common in female patients.