BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer incidence is rising globally,including the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).Despite its increasing incidence,limited data exist on physicians’knowledge of thyroid cancer management in the D...BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer incidence is rising globally,including the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).Despite its increasing incidence,limited data exist on physicians’knowledge of thyroid cancer management in the DRC.AIM To evaluate the knowledge levels of Congolese physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and cancers,and to identify existing gaps and areas for improvement.METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2024,involving 369 physicians practicing in healthcare facilities across Kinshasa,DRC.Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method.Data were collected via a structured questionnaire covering thyroid cancer epidemiology,diagnostic methods,treatment approaches,and prognosis.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25,employing descriptive and inferential statistics,with a P value≤0.05 being considered as statistically significant.RESULTS Overall response rate was 96.1%.Of all participants,68%were female and 32%were male physicians.General practitioners constituted 84.8%of respondents,with an average age of 34 years.While 53.7%demonstrated adequate knowledge of hypothyroidism management post-thyroidectomy and 61.2%identified the approach for hypoparathyroidism,only 5.1%recognized the need for radiotherapy in metastatic thyroid cancer cases.Awareness of anaplastic thyroid cancer treatment was limited(6.5%),and 90.2%of physicians were unfamiliar with the surgical complications.Moderate understanding was noted in diagnostic protocols,with 44.2%correctly identifying repeat fine-needle aspiration timing in Bethesda I cases.Knowledge of molecular genetics,recurrence risks,and metastasis patterns was remarkably low.CONCLUSION This study highlights significant knowledge gaps among Congolese physicians regarding thyroid cancer management,especially about advanced treatment modalities and molecular genetics.Targeted educational programs and improved access to diagnostic tools are critical to bridging these deficits.Addressing these gaps can enhance the quality of thyroid cancer care and align clinical practices in the DRC with global standards.展开更多
BACKGROUND Several trace minerals have been shown to be associated with thyroid cancer.Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)is deemed the most mineral-rich country globally.Data on the characteristics of thyroid nodules i...BACKGROUND Several trace minerals have been shown to be associated with thyroid cancer.Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)is deemed the most mineral-rich country globally.Data on the characteristics of thyroid nodules in various mineral-rich regions of the DRC is scarce.AIM To analyze the differential spectrum of thyroid nodules based on locoregional variance in mineral density.METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study on 529 patients with thyroid nodules residing in Katanga,South Kivu and Kinshasa between 2005 and 2019.Of these three provinces,Katanga and South Kivu have the highest mineral density with the DRC.RESULTS Mean patient age was 44.2 years±14.6 years with a female predominance,with a female to male ratio of 5.4.The 66.5%of patients had a family history of thyroid disease.Total 74 patients had simple nodules,and the remaining 455 patients had multiple nodules.The 87.7%of patients were euthyroid.The nodules exhibited varying characteristics namely hypoechogenicity(84.5%),solid echostructure(72.2%),macronodular appearance(59.8%),calcifications(14.4%)and associated lymphadenopathy(15.5%).The 22.3%of the nodules were malignant.Factors independently associated with malignancy were older age(≥60 years)[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=2.81],Katanga province(aOR=8.19),solid echostructure(aOR=7.69),hypoechogenicity(aOR=14.19),macronodular appearance(aOR=9.13),calcifications(aOR=2.6)and presence of lymphadenopathy(aOR=6.94).CONCLUSION Thyroid nodules emanating from the mineral-laden province of Katanga were more likely to be malignant.Early and accurate risk-stratification of patients with thyroid nodules residing in high-risk areas could be instrumental in optimizing survival in these patients.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer incidence is rising globally,including the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).Despite its increasing incidence,limited data exist on physicians’knowledge of thyroid cancer management in the DRC.AIM To evaluate the knowledge levels of Congolese physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and cancers,and to identify existing gaps and areas for improvement.METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2024,involving 369 physicians practicing in healthcare facilities across Kinshasa,DRC.Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method.Data were collected via a structured questionnaire covering thyroid cancer epidemiology,diagnostic methods,treatment approaches,and prognosis.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25,employing descriptive and inferential statistics,with a P value≤0.05 being considered as statistically significant.RESULTS Overall response rate was 96.1%.Of all participants,68%were female and 32%were male physicians.General practitioners constituted 84.8%of respondents,with an average age of 34 years.While 53.7%demonstrated adequate knowledge of hypothyroidism management post-thyroidectomy and 61.2%identified the approach for hypoparathyroidism,only 5.1%recognized the need for radiotherapy in metastatic thyroid cancer cases.Awareness of anaplastic thyroid cancer treatment was limited(6.5%),and 90.2%of physicians were unfamiliar with the surgical complications.Moderate understanding was noted in diagnostic protocols,with 44.2%correctly identifying repeat fine-needle aspiration timing in Bethesda I cases.Knowledge of molecular genetics,recurrence risks,and metastasis patterns was remarkably low.CONCLUSION This study highlights significant knowledge gaps among Congolese physicians regarding thyroid cancer management,especially about advanced treatment modalities and molecular genetics.Targeted educational programs and improved access to diagnostic tools are critical to bridging these deficits.Addressing these gaps can enhance the quality of thyroid cancer care and align clinical practices in the DRC with global standards.
文摘BACKGROUND Several trace minerals have been shown to be associated with thyroid cancer.Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)is deemed the most mineral-rich country globally.Data on the characteristics of thyroid nodules in various mineral-rich regions of the DRC is scarce.AIM To analyze the differential spectrum of thyroid nodules based on locoregional variance in mineral density.METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study on 529 patients with thyroid nodules residing in Katanga,South Kivu and Kinshasa between 2005 and 2019.Of these three provinces,Katanga and South Kivu have the highest mineral density with the DRC.RESULTS Mean patient age was 44.2 years±14.6 years with a female predominance,with a female to male ratio of 5.4.The 66.5%of patients had a family history of thyroid disease.Total 74 patients had simple nodules,and the remaining 455 patients had multiple nodules.The 87.7%of patients were euthyroid.The nodules exhibited varying characteristics namely hypoechogenicity(84.5%),solid echostructure(72.2%),macronodular appearance(59.8%),calcifications(14.4%)and associated lymphadenopathy(15.5%).The 22.3%of the nodules were malignant.Factors independently associated with malignancy were older age(≥60 years)[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=2.81],Katanga province(aOR=8.19),solid echostructure(aOR=7.69),hypoechogenicity(aOR=14.19),macronodular appearance(aOR=9.13),calcifications(aOR=2.6)and presence of lymphadenopathy(aOR=6.94).CONCLUSION Thyroid nodules emanating from the mineral-laden province of Katanga were more likely to be malignant.Early and accurate risk-stratification of patients with thyroid nodules residing in high-risk areas could be instrumental in optimizing survival in these patients.
