Thyroid carcinoma in hyperthyroid syndromes

The relationship between hyperthyroidism and carcinoma of the thyroid is still uncertain. The incidence of thyroid carcinoma ranges from 0.3 to 16.6%. Between 1984 and 1994 the Authors observed 9 patients affected with thyroid cancer and toxic nodular goiter (4 patients) or Basedow disease (2 patients) or scintigraphic evidence of single hyperfunctioning nodule (3 patients). Six out of the 9 cases were diagnosed as papillary cancer, while three as follicular cancer. A carcinoma was diagnosed before operation in only one case, while in the other 8 patients, the diagnosis was obtained by histological examination of the specimen. Four patients underwent subtotal thyroidectomy, while five patients underwent radical lobectomy. All patients are alive and in good health; the average follow-up was 48 months.