title: Familial papillary thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: Background. Whether or not the familial form of papillary thyroid carcinoma is more aggressive than the sporadic form of the disease remains controversial. Methods. To explore this question and whether or not increased aggressiveness is more apparent in families with multiple affected members, we performed a chi square by trend analysis on our patients clinical and pathologic data comparing: first degree families with three or more affected members versus first degree families with two affected members versus sporadic cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Results. No statistically significant trends were seen for any presenting surgical pathology parameter, age at presentation, length of follow-up or gender distribution. The familial groups exhibited significant trends for higher rates of reoperation (P = 0.05) and/or requiring additional radioactive iodine therapy (P = 0.03), distant metastases (P = 0.003) and deaths (P = 0.01). These aggressive features were most apparent in certain families with three or more affected members. Conclusions. Using the chi square by trend analysis, a significant trend was seen for the familial form of papillary thyroid cancer to possess more aggressive features than the sporadic disease. Prompt recognition of the familial nature of the disease may provide earlier diagnosis and treatment in similarly affected family members.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario London, ON, Canada N6A 5A5.
authors: Thomas J
authors: TJ
authors: McDonald
authors: Albert A
authors: AA
authors: Driedger
authors: Bertha M
authors: BM
authors: Garcia
authors: Stanislaus H M
authors: SH
authors: Van Uum
authors: Irina
authors: I
authors: Rachinsky
authors: Vijaya
authors: V
authors: Chevendra
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Breadner
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Feinn
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Walsh
authors: Carl D
authors: CD
authors: Malchoff