The proportion of thyroid cancer and other cancers in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Background: Cancer diagnosis is increasing around the world and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The frequency of thyroid cancer has increased over the past three decades. There are very few studies on cancer epidemiology, and in particular on thyroid cancer in the DRC. This study aims to establish the most recent frequency and proportion of thyroid cancer in the DRC compared to other cancers.Methods: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of 6,106 consecutive cancer cases listed in the pathological registers of 4 laboratories in the city of Kinshasa. This study included all cancer cases recorded in the registers between 2005 and 2019. Results: From a sample of 6,106 patients, including all cancer types, 68.2% cases were female and 31.2% were male. Breast and cervical cancer were the most common types of cancer in women and, prostate and skin cancer were the most common types in men. Thyroid cancer was sixth in frequency in women and eleventh in men compared to all cancers. Papillary carcinoma was the most common of thyroid cancers. Rare cancers such as anaplastic and medullary thyroid carcinomas had a frequency of 7% and 2%, respectively.Conclusion: Newer diagnostic tools led to a surge in cancer diagnoses in the DRC. Thyroid cancer has more than doubled its frequency over the last several decades in the country. Trial registration: Our research protocol has obtained the approval of the national health ethics committee of the DRC, number 197/CNES/BN/PMMF/2020.