Incidence of occult carcinoma in multinodular goiter using histopathological findings

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to determine the incidence of occult carcinoma in multinodular goiter using histopathological examination. Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight patients with multinodular goiter underwent total thyroidectomy over a period of 4 years (2001-2004) and were included in the study. The indications for surgery were significant cosmetic deformity, compressive symptoms, thyrotoxicosis and suspected malignancy. All the specimens were sent for histopathological examination and results were analysed. Results: The pathological findings were benign in 88 cases (89.8 percent) and malignant in 10 cases (10.2 percent). Seven patients were diagnosed with papillary carcinoma, two with the follicular variant of papillary and one with follicular carcinoma. Conclusion: The risk of malignancy in multinodular goiters should not to be underestimated. It highlights the importance of close monitoring of conservatively treated multinodular goiters. Note: This study was conducted by the first author in the years 2003-2004 at the Department of Surgery, Guntur Medical College, Guntur, India.