[Thyroid cancer revealed by a suppressive hot nodule]

Abstract

We report the case of a 62-year old woman in euthyroidism who presented with a thyroid cancer located within a hot nodule. The nodule was partially extinctive, and the triiodothyronine test showed incomplete suppression. Fine needle cytology showed no malignant cells. Systematic lobectomy was performed, and the diagnosis of cancer was made at pathology. This rare situation does not mean that all non-toxic hot nodules must be removed, but if surgery is decided an extemporaneous histological examination is mandatory. Besides, such cases provide an additional argument in favour of surgery or treatment of toxic adenomas.