Frequency of thyroid carcinoma in multinodular goitre

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of carcinoma in thyroidectomies for multinodular goitre [MNG]. This was a prospective descriptive study, conducted in department of general surgery, Nishtar Medical College, Multan [NMC] from July 1998 to December 2004. Only 255 patients with confirmed multinodular goitre were considered in the study. All were from either sex and above the age of 12 years. Out of 255 patients, 213 were female and 42 males with female to male ratio of 51. The patients with swelling in front of neck were 180 [70.58%], with symptoms of thyrotoxicosis 30 [11.76%], with dysphagia 21 [8.23%], with dyspnoea 15 [5.88%] and with hoarseness of voice 9 [3.52%]. Thyroid carcinoma was reported in 21 patients [8.23%]. Papillary carcinoma was the most common 57.14% and Follicular carcinoma was 28.57%. Papillary to follicular ratio was 21. Risk of malignancy in Multinodular goitre should not be underestimated. It should be considered for surgery, especially if it has very hard nodules and / or dominant nodules are present in multinodular goitre