SOLITARY THYROID NODULE

FREQUENCY OF MALIGNANCY AT COMBINED MILITARY HOSPITAL RAWALPINDI

Abstract

Objectives: To determine frequency of malignancy in solitary thyroid nodule. Design: Case-series study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Department of Surgery, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from April 2002 till April 2003. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients with clinical solitary thyroid nodule fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in the study. Thyroid function tests, ultrasonography and thyroid scanning was done. Finally FNAC and histopathology were done in all the operated cases and record was evaluated. Results: Out of 60 cases studied, 8 (13.33%) were found to have malignant lesions. The remaining 52 (86.67%) cases had benign pathology. Male patients with solitary thyroid nodule showed a higher incidence of malignancy 17.65% as compared to females 11.63%. Maximum malignant cases (50%) were found between the ages of 31 to 40 years. Papillary carcinoma was the most common malignancy (50%)
found in our study. Conclusions: The incidence of malignancy in solitary thyroid nodule is quite high (13.33%). So people should be educated to attend thyroid clinics for early diagnosis and adequate treatment.