Trends of Thyroid Cancer Mortality Rates in Ecuador

Abstract

Objective: To analyze thyroid cancer (TC) mortality rates from 1990 to 2016 in Ecuadorian men and women and compare their trends with Latin American and international trends. Design: A population-based temporal-trend study using the database of the Ecuadorian National Death Registry. Methods: Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated, and age-related mortality rates were standardized with the world population (WHO). Trends in age-standardized mortality rates were estimated by jointpoint regression analysis. The trends were expressed as annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC). Results: In total, TC caused 2,107 deaths (1,475 women and 632 men) in the selected period. The mortality in men showed a statistically non-significant decrease. The estimated APC was −0.4% (P = 0.70), and the AAPC was −0.4% (P = 0.70) without any identified jointpoint. In women, the mortality decreased significantly between 1990 and 1998, with the estimated APC being −6.6% (P < 0.05). However, it increased significantly from 1998 to 2016, with the estimated APC of 5.4% (P < 0.05), and a jointpoint was identified; the AAPC was 1.4 (P = 0.30). Conclusions: While TC mortality in Ecuadorian men showed a decrease, that in Ecuadorian women showed an initial decrease and a final increase. Our findings can be contrasted with the global data, which show decreases in TC mortality in both sexes.

Thyroid cancer in Ecuador

“…In this study, the authors declare that “In Ecuador there is no reports available of the epidemiology of this type of cancer,” and they also affirm that “… the majority of Latin-American countries such as Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia or Paraguay have not reported TC trends, incidences or any epidemiological data in the last decade” [ 4 ]. However, some previous publications have addressed several aspects of the epidemiology of TC in Ecuador [ 3 , 5 – 10 ]. In 2018, two publications in indexed journals analyzed the epidemiology of TC, one of a national and the other of a regional nature.…”

“…In 2018, two publications in indexed journals analyzed the epidemiology of TC, one of a national and the other of a regional nature. In August 2018, Lopez et al, published a time series study that analyzed the trend of the mortality rate for TC in Ecuador over a period of 26 years, from 1990 to 2016 [ 5 ]. This study included numerous events (2107 deaths), covered a long period (26 years), and involved the entire Ecuadorian population.…”

“…This study included numerous events (2107 deaths), covered a long period (26 years), and involved the entire Ecuadorian population. Their findings indicate a persistent increase in TC mortality in women between 1997 and 2016 and a moderate decrease in TC mortality in men from 1990 to 2016 [ 5 ]. In addition, Corral et al, in 2018, published a study of trends in cancer incidence and mortality, including TC over three decades in Quito, Ecuador.…”

Thyroid Cancer Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment: a cross- sectional study at a thyroid cancer referral center in Ecuador&nbsp;

“…Thyroid cancer overdiagnosis seems to be the most important driver of thyroid cancer diagnosis, although the contribution of other risk factors (e.g., obesity) to the rise in thyroid cancer incidence is currently being investigated. In contrast with the rapid increase in TC incidence [5][6][7][8] , worldwide thyroid cancer mortality has remained low and stable over the last decades [9][10][11] . In Ecuador, however, thyroid cancer incidence and mortality have increased, and the Ecuadorian thyroid cancer mortality rate is one of the highest in the world 4,9,10 .…”

Incidental diagnosis and surgery outcomes of thyroid cancer in Ecuador

“…In contrast with the rapid increased in TC incidence [5][6][7][8] , worldwide thyroid cancer mortality rates have remained low and stable over the last decades [9][10][11] . In Ecuador, however, thyroid cancer incidence and mortality have increased, and Ecuadorian thyroid cancer mortality rates are one of the highest in the world 4,12,13 . Ecuador is a setting with limited epidemiological resources, and the drivers behind this rising incidence and mortality rates are unclear.…”