A Clinical Study of Malignancy in Solitary Thyroid Nodule

BACKGROUND: Solitary nodule of thyroid has increased in incidence in the resent day as compared to two decades before. Because of Possibility of malignancy all nodules have to be removed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study of 100 patients who presented to the outpatient department and surgical wards of S.V.R.R.G.G.H, Tirupathi. During the period of September 2018 to August 2019 with a clinically detected STN was included in the study group. Preoperative Ultrasonography (USG) and fine-needle aspiration cytology were planned in all these patients. Hemi thyroidectomy and Total thyroidectomy with and without neck dissection were performed wherever appropriate. RESULTS: Commonest presentation of solitary thyroid nodule was asymptomatic.The peak incidence of solitary nodule was observed in 3-5 th decade , constituting 60% of the cases studied. Females predominated in number over males in occurrence of solitary thyroid nodule in ratio of 1;4.88.The common causes of solitary thyroid nodule was Nodular goiter(67%),follicular adenoma(19%)(excluding MNG).97% of cases presented with Euthyroid state. incidence of malignancy in solitary thyroid nodule was 12%.Male to Female ratio in case of malignant nodule was 1:8.5.but incidence of carcinoma in males presenting as solitary nodule was higher(41%) compared to that of females(9%).The most common cause of malignancy was papillary carcinoma(75%) followed by follicular carcinoma(25%). CONCLUSION: Solitary thyroid nodule is more common in females. Solitary thyroid nodule is more common in the age group of 20-50 years. Most of patients with STN present with swelling alone. Most of patients with STN are euthyroid state. Only few present with toxicity and hypothyroidism. Incidence of malignancy in male patients presenting with STN is more compared to females. Common cause of STN is Adenoma (excluding MNG). Papillary carcinoma is the most common malignancy of thyroid, followed by follicular carcinoma.