OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON INCIDENCE OF INCIDENTAL MALIGNANCY IN MULTINODULAR GOITRE PATIENTS WHO UNDERWENT TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN NORTH KERALA

Abstract

Introduction: Incidental thyroid malignancy is the term applied to unsuspected cancer identied incidentally on pathologic examination of thyroid tissue removed for benign disease. Early detection and treatment of thyroid cancer helps in decreasing the morbidity and mortality of the patient. There have been very few studies related to incidental thyroid carcinoma in this part of the world. Therefore, this study can act as a baseline study for further research. Materials And Methods: From October 2020 to October 2022, 50 patients with multinodular goiter who fullled the inclusion criteria were selected. These patients were subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination and preoperative workup. History, clinical examination ndings, investigations, operative and the post-operative ndings were recorded in detail in a proforma. Outcome measurement was done by comparing the nal histopathological report with clinical diagnosis and FNAC report. Results:Among the 50 patients with a female: male ratio of 4:1, majority (44%) belonged to 40-50 years of age group. Out of the 50 patients with preoperatively benign multinodular goiter, Postoperative histopathological report came as malignant among 7 patients (14 %), all of them were females. The commonest type of incidental thyroid malignancy among the studied population was micro papillary carcinoma, being present in 4 of the 7 cases (57.15%). Papillary carcinoma was found in 3 patients (42.85%). Conclusion: There is a trend towards rise in the incidence of incidental thyroid cancers. Total thyroidectomy as initial surgery for benign disorders reduces the morbidity of second surgery. Identifying incidental thyroid cancers early can help in planning denitive management early and thus achieving cure in the patients