Prevalence of Malignancy in Graves’ disease with cold nodule in patients undergoing Surgery in Srinagarind Hospital

Abstract

Background and objective: Because the prevalence of malignancy in Graves’ disease with cold nodule was varied in the different institutes and it affects the plan of treatment (surgery or not), this study aimed to know the prevalence of malignancy in these patients who underwent surgery in Srinagarind Hospital.

Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study which collected the data of patients who were diagnosed of Graves’ disease with cold nodule and underwent thyroid surgery in Srinagarind Hospital. The data were collected since January 1^st, 2008 to December 31^st, 2009.

Results: There were 238 cases diagnosed as Graves’ disease with cold nodule but only 48 cases (20.2%) underwent thyroid surgery.  Histopathological reports revealed malignancy in 8 cases (16.7%, 95% CI = 7.5 – 30.2): 5 cases were papillary carcinoma and 3 cases were follicular carcinoma. Only 2 of 11 cases who had malignancy or suspected malignancy on FNA report had a true malignancy.

Conclusion: The prevalence of malignancy in Graves’ disease with cold nodule was 16.7% in surgical cases in Srinagarind Hospital.

Key word: Graves’ disease, thyroid cancer, cold nodule