Clinical Report: Unexpected thyroid cancer findings in patients with multinodular goiter
Overview
This study reports a 14.4% incidence of incidental thyroid carcinoma in patients undergoing surgery for multinodular goiter. Papillary thyroid carcinoma was the most common subtype.
Background
Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, with multinodular goiter being a frequently encountered condition in clinical practice. While traditionally viewed as benign, the potential for thyroid carcinoma in multinodular goiter cases necessitates careful evaluation, as the incidence of malignancy can vary significantly across different populations.
Data Highlights
Characteristic
Value
Total Patients
223
Incidental Carcinoma Cases
32
Incidence of Carcinoma
14.4%
Female Patients
24 (75%)
Male Patients
8 (25%)
Mean Age with Carcinoma
49.4 ± 16.7 years
Mean Age without Carcinoma
56.2 ± 13.1 years
Key Findings
Incidental thyroid carcinoma was found in 14.4% of patients undergoing surgery for multinodular goiter.
75% of the patients with incidental carcinoma were female, with a female-to-male ratio of 3:1.
The most common histological subtype was papillary thyroid carcinoma, accounting for 78.1% of cases.
Patients diagnosed with carcinoma were significantly younger than those without malignancy (mean age 49.4 vs. 56.2 years).
Logistic regression indicated that increasing age was associated with a reduced probability of malignancy (OR=0.963).
Clinical Implications
The findings indicate that incidental thyroid carcinoma is a notable occurrence in patients with multinodular goiter undergoing surgery.
Conclusion
Incidental thyroid carcinoma is a relatively frequent finding in surgical cases of multinodular goiter, predominantly presenting as papillary carcinoma.
