Incidence of carcinoma of the thyroid in nodular goiter

Abstract

Since the incidence of cancer in nontoxic nodular goiter as reported by us in 1944 appeared high (17.1%), we made another study during the next four years and discovered an incidence almost identical (17.2%). Our figures on incidence of cancer in nontoxic nodular goiter appeared so high because we were the first authors to break down the goiters into the three different types and to discover that the incidence was high in only one type of goiter and not in the others. The incidence of cancer was only 4.6% in toxic nodular and toxic diffuse goiter added together. For decades, we have known that goiter is a geographic disease. It is possible that carcinoma of the thyroid is slightly geographical. At least it appears that there is a slightly geographical relationship in regard to the 16 patients we have observed in our clinic with cancer during 1944-1949; of these 16 patients, 11 had advanced malignant disease. We cannot have accurate figures on results regarding treatment of our cases until long-term follow-up is concluded.