FREQUENCY OF THYROID-CARCINOMA IN A RECENT SERIES OF 539 CONSECUTIVE THYROIDECTOMIES FOR MULTINODULAR GOITER

Aims and background: The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency of thyroid carcinoma in a consecutive series of 539 thyroidectomies f or multinodular goiter (MNG) and to assess the influence of sex and ag e as cancer risk factors. Methods: In a 2-year period, 539 patients un derwent subtotal or total thyroidectomy for MNG at the Institute of Ge neral Surgery, University of Padova, Padova, Italy: 455 were females a nd 84 males (F/M = 5.5/1); mean age was 46 years (min. 17, max 78). On ly 17 patients (3.1%) (16 females and 1 male) were aged 21 years or le ss. Results: A malignancy was found in 41 patients: 38 females and 3 m ales; 39 older and 2 younger than 21. years. The frequency of cancer i n MNG was 7.6%: 8.3% in females and 3.6% in males; 7.5% in patients ol der than 21 and 11.7% under 21 years. Conclusions: The combination of MNG and carcinoma should always be carefully considered but not overem phasized, and the policy of surgically treating all patients with MNG is not justified. Sex and age cannot be considered as factors of a hig her risk of cancer.