Socioeconomic Health Disparities in the Treatment of Thyroid Cancer: A Single Institution in Southwestern Ohio.

Abstract

Disparities in thyroid cancer care are driven by demographic and socioeconomic factors such as insurance status, income, and access to specialized care. Retrospective chart review. Demographic and clinical data from 281 adult patients who underwent thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy for papillary or follicular thyroid cancer at a single institution from 2015 to 2023. We evaluated the effect of demographic variables with stage at diagnosis, tumor size, and time to surgery. We assessed predictors of tumor size > 2 cm, advanced cancer stage (stage III+), and surgical delay > 90 days using multivariable logistic regression. Male patients were at increased risk for tumors > 2 cm, while female patients experienced more surgical delays. Advanced-stage disease was associated with older age and Medicare coverage. Disparities by age, sex, and insurance remain, highlighting the need for targeted, equity-focused interventions. The cohort was not reflective of local demographics, limiting assessment of racial disparities.