Relevance: Thyroid cancer development is linked to exogenous and endogenous carcinogens, immune and cytokine status, and hormonal balance. As an endocrine organ, the thyroid gland is a target for autoreactive T cells due to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase. Immune responses are crucial in carcinogenesis, playing a key role in eliminating altered cells. Cytokines, produced by immunocompetent cells, regulate inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses and influence cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, contributing to malignancies [19, 20]. Research highlights the molecular-genetic mechanisms of thyroid cancer, emphasizing autoimmune processes and cytokine involvement. Biomarkers such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α are widely used for diagnosis and prognosis. Given the lack of targeted studies, the structure and frequency of thyroid cancer, and immune-cytokine status in our country, these factors motivated this study.

Research Objective: To study the prevalence of thyroid cancer (TC) in the Republic of Tajikistan, analyze its clinical and morphological features, and evaluate the cytokine status in patients with this condition.

Materials and Methods: The study included data on patients treated at the Republican Cancer Center of Tajikistan from 2014 to 2023. Descriptive statistical methods were employed to analyze incidence, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes. Cytokine status was assessed in 52 patients, including the determination of IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in blood serum.

Results: Over the past 10 years, there has been no significant increase in the incidence of TC in Tajikistan, though a predominance of late-stage diagnoses (T3-T4) was observed. Women accounted for 75.5% of the cases, with a substantial portion of patients (60.9%) presenting at advanced stages (T3-T4). The most common histological subtypes were papillary and follicular carcinoma. Surgical treatment, including thyroidectomy and subtotal resection, remained the primary therapeutic approach, while hormone therapy and polychemotherapy were utilized as adjuvant treatments.

Cytokine monitoring revealed elevated levels of IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α, suggesting possible immune regulation disturbances, particularly in older age groups.

Conclusions: The findings highlight the necessity for early diagnosis of TC, effective surgical intervention, and a comprehensive treatment approach, including immunological monitoring.

TBA