ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo sum up the experience on diagnosis and treatment for patients of hyperthyroidism complicated by thyroid cancer. MethodsBetween 1994 and 2000, 300 hyperthyroidism patients were admitted, among them 12 suffered concomittent thyroid carcinoma and received surgical therapy and pathologic examination. ResultsIn this series thyroid carcinoma occurred in 4%(12/300) in patients with hyperthyroidism, but correct preoperative diagnosis was obtained in only one (3%) of the 300 cases. Bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy was initially performed in all 12 cases with 7 cases undergoing additionally ipsilateral total thyroidectomy when a cancer was identified. Two cases underwent functional cervical clearance of lymph nodes. Postoperative follow-up of 9 mos to 6 years found no recurrence. ConclusionIn patients of hyperthyroidism a thyroid cancer may develop on the background of immunodeficiency and endocrine dysfunction. In patients with hyperthyroidism, a thyroid nodule found perioperatively must be biopsied for frozen section to guide the surgical modality.