The Prevalence of Thyroid Malignancy in Multinodular Goiter in Erbil Governorate

Abstract

Background and objectives:thyroid malignancy is relatively a rare tumor, but it represents the most common form of malignancy of endocrine glands. The common scenario in multinodular goiter is finding of incidental thyroid carcinoma after histopathological evaluation of specimens for assumed benign thyroid lesions. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence and types of malignancy in multinodular goiter in Erbil governorate, in order to choose the best surgical options for their treatment. Methods:This prospective cross-sectional study has been conducted from 1st March 2017 to 1st March 2018 on 72 patients with multinodular goiter in Rizgary teaching hospital and private hospitals in Erbil city. All patients evaluated preoperatively by history, clinical examination, thyroid function test, ultrasound study, fine needle aspiration cytology. Then, offered operative treatment for compressive symptoms, thyrotoxicosis, cosmetic concerns, undetermined cytology, suspicious or proved malignancy by fine needle aspirationcytology Results: Among 72 cases, 90.3% were females and 9.7% were males, with mean age distribution at the time of surgery was 41.6 ± 12.6 years. 8.3% of patients found to have malignancy on final histological examination and papillar carcinoma constituted 83.3% of cases. Conclusions:-we recommend near-total or total thyroidectomy to eliminate the need for re-operation in case of thyroid cancer.