INCIDENCE OF MALIGNANCY IN SOLITARY THYROID NODULE

SAJID RASHID NAGRA; GHULAM DASTGIR KHAN; MUHAMMAD NASRULLAH; AYESHA HAYAT; SANA GHAFFAR

doi:10.51642/ppmj.v27i4.113

DR. SAJID RASHID NAGRA Rai Medical College, Sargodha
DR. GHULAM DASTGIR KHAN King Fahad Central Hospital Jezan, Saudi Arabia
MUHAMMAD NASRULLAH King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh KSA
DR. AYESHA HAYAT Rai Medical College, Sargodh
DR. SANA GHAFFAR Rai Medical College, Sargodha

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51642/ppmj.v27i4.113

Keywords: Solitary Nodule, Goitre, FNAC, Malignancy

Abstract

Background: Nodular goitre is prevalent in adult population. Usually it is multinodular goitre but a discrete swelling has to be evaluated for risk of neoplasia. Special dilemma is for diagnosis of follicular adenomas and follicular carcinomas.

Objective: To investigate solitary thyroid nodule and its association with malignancy.

Materials and Methods: This prospective study of 145 patients from January 2015 to December 2016, carried out in referral hospital of Saudi Arabia. Only those cases with solitary thyroid nodule were included in the study and then incidence of malignancy evaluated. Sex incidence, age groups along with routine investigations followed by ultrasonography and FNAC carried out in all patients. Thyroid function tests were mandatory before subjecting patients for treatment.

Results: Predominantly (68%) solitary nodule was found in Right lobe of thyroid gland in comparison to left lobe (25%) and in isthmus (07%). Out of these 145 patients, 88.27% were benign while 8.3% malignant and 3.45% were suspicious. Suspicious turned out to be 2.1% benign and 1.4% malignant on biopsy. Nodular goitre (65%) dominated in benign group, followed by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (3%). In neoplastic group, follicular carcinoma (52%) took top slot and papillary neoplasm (23%) on second place. Female to male ratio was 4:1. Age range was from 19 years to 64 years. FNAC was main stay of investigation along with ultrasound neck.

Conclusion: A significant percentage of malignancy is present in solitary thyroid nodule. So its early diagnosis and proper treatment should be ultimate goal to reduce the mortality of the disease.