Multi-nodular goiter: Epidemiology, Etiology, Pathogenesis and Pathology

Multi-nodular goiter is a common endocrine disorder worldwide. It is endemic in certain populations. It is more common in women and presents mainly in 4th and 5th decades of life. Various factors have been implicated for the development of multi-nodular goiter, most common being Iodine deficiency. Nodular goiter results from uni or multifocal hyperplasia of follicular cells which may have autonomy of growth and autonomy of function. The process can be divided into five stages which result in the classic appearance and histology of multi-nodular goiter. Present article deals with epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis and pathology of multi-nodular goiter based on relevant articles searched on pubmed.