Trends in the Prevalence and Incidence of Thyroid Cancer in Saudi Arabia Over the Last Decade: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 9882 Patients

Abstract

Abstract Background Thyroid cancer is the third most common cancer in Saudi Arabia, with incidence and mortality rates of 10.1% and 1.4%, respectively, among both sexes. The Saudi National Cancer Registry data implicate an increase in the incidence rate of thyroid cancer in both genders. Material understanding of the pattern can help in the development of national-level preventive, screening, and therapeutic policies. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the increasing incidence trends and prevalence patterns of thyroid cancer among the Saudi Arabian population based on geographical distribution. Methods We conducted a retrospective population-based study of thyroid cancer cases registered between January 2009 and December 2018 in Saudi Arabia, analysing characteristics such as gender, age, demographics, and tumour details from the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) database. Results The RSCR data revealed 9882 cases of thyroid cancer. Males had higher rates of papillary, medullary, and oxyphilic adenocarcinomas, while females had higher rates of anaplastic tumours. Riyadh, Najran, and the Eastern region had the highest age-standardized incidence rates (6.93, 4.77, and 4.94, respectively, per 100,000 population). The most prevalent histologic types were papillary (88%) and follicular thyroid cancer (4.8%). In the model, there was a positive relationship between months and the number of thyroid cancer diagnoses between 2009 and 2018, with an estimated 5% monthly increase (95% CI 5–6%). Conclusion Thyroid gland tumour prevalence and incidence vary significantly. There is a significant difference in age distribution between histologic types and sexes. Thyroid cancer is four times more likely to strike women than men.