Time interval in diagnosis and treatment of papillary thyroid cancer: a descriptive, retrospective study

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• 作者：Gianlorenzo Dionigi ; Maria Laura T ; a ; Eliana Piantanida ; Luigi Boni ; Francesca Rovera ; Renzo Dionigi ; Luigi Bartalena
• 关键词：Papillary thyroid carcinoma ; Symptoms ; Consultation ; Diagnosis ; Treatment
• 刊名：The American Journal of Surgery
• 出版年：2009
• 出版时间：April 2009
• 年：2009
• 卷：197
• 期：4
• 页码：434-438
• 全文大小：221 K

文摘

Background

Studies have investigated delays in the diagnosis of neoplasms to identify delays to treatment on the part of patients and primary care practitioners. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the time interval (TI) required for the diagnosis of symptomatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

The study included 97 patients with PTC. Other histologic types and incidental microcarcinomas were excluded. The primary outcome variable was the TI between the occurrence of a sign/symptom and thyroidectomy. TI was composed of: patient's TI (PTI), diagnostic TI (DTI), and therapeutic TI (TTI).

Results

The TI between the occurrence of a sign/symptom and thyroidectomy averaged 3 months. PTI ranged from 25–85 days, DTI from 12–40 days, and TTI from 7–30 days. PTI was higher (P < .05) than DTI and TTI.

Conclusion

PTI is the most important factor affecting TI. Implementation of information may increase patient's alertness and reduce misinterpretation of signs/symptoms. Collaboration between specialists is fundamental to further reduce DTI and TTI.