Incidence of Thyroid Malignancy in Thyroidectomies Done for Clinically Benign Thyroid Conditions

Aim: The objective of the study was to determine the incidence of thyroid malignancy in thyroidectomies done for clinically benign thyroid conditions. Materials and methods: From January 2014 to June 2015, a total of 308 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for presumably benign thyroid disease were included in the study and evaluated for the presence of incidental malignancy. The distribution of malignancy in sex, age, place and clinical diagnosis were studied. Size of the tumour and its correlation with capsular invasion, vascular invasion and multifocality was also evaluated. Results: The incidence of malignancy was 16.9 %. Papillary carcinoma was the commonest subtype. The mean age of occurrence of incidental malignancy was 41.9 years. Males showed an incidence of 17.9 % and females showed 16.7 %. Thrissur district had a higher incidence (20.2 %). Mean tumour size was 1.7cm. Occurrence of capsular invasion, vascular invasion and multifocality increases as the mean size of the malignancy increases. Conclusion: The rate of incidental thyroid malignancies are increasing. Papilary carcinoma thyroid contributes to the main pathologic type. Due to the risk of occult malignancy, all the patients with multi-nodular goitre who have been treated conservatively need a close follow up for malignancy. Total/near-total thyroidectomy is the procedure of choice during the initial surgery for all presumably benign nodules.