Nodular goiter (epidemiology and diagnostics)

Thyroid nodules measuring 1cm and more revealed in 27% adult inhabitants of region. Malignant tumors were diag nosed in 2.9% of them. There was increase in the number of people with nodules in the territories exposed to radioactive fallout after Chernobyl accident in comparison to the territories without such pollution – 57.3%/42.4% as well as malignant tumors among them (5.2%/2.7%) Comparison of thyroid palpation and ultrasound in detection of thyroid nodules revealed that thyroid nodules of 10 mm were detected only in every 10th patient by means of pal pation: and nodules of 11–15 mm in every 4th patient, comparing to ultrasound data of the same patients’ group. Malignant tumors were detected on cytology in 2.9% of thyroid nodules less than 2 cm (30171 patients) and in 1.9% of thyroid nodules larger than 2 cm (15 656 patients). At the same time the frequency of regional lymph node metas tases was significantly higher in patients with thyroid nodules larger than 2 cm (34.8%), than in patients with nod ules less than 2 cm – 18.3%. Only one malignant tumor was detected among 358 patients with autonomously func tioning nodules. Risk groups with higher rate of malignancy were patients living in the areas with Chernobyl’s fall out, and patients in whom nodules with “suspicious” sonographic features were revealed (rough edges, capsule inva sion, microcalcifications). Patients with high risk of malignant transformation should be submitted to FNAB regard less of thyroid nodule size. Biopsy is unnecessary for the patients with autonomously functioning nodules detected by scintigraphy.