Thyroid Nodule Findings

The Correct Answer is E


Explanation:

The clinically apparent (>1 cm) thyroid nodule is a common clinical finding; up to 5% of the population is affected. It is more common in women than in men, and a majority (85%) are hypofunctional or cold nodules. The likelihood of malignancy in a solitary thyroid nodule is low (4%); cold nodules carry a higher risk than hot nodules (20% vs. 1%).

Evaluation of a solitary nodule should be aimed at detecting potentially malignant lesions so that as many cancers are removed with as few operations as possible. A history of head and neck irradiation raises the likelihood that a thyroid nodule is malignant, as does the presence of a family history of differentiated thyroid cancer or medullary cancer of the thyroid (which can be a component of multiple endocrine neoplasia "MEN" type IIA or IIB).


Fine-needle aspiration of the thyroid gland is a cost-effective procedure with a high sensitivity and specificity for malignancy. Fine-needle aspiration allows the nodule to be characterized cytologically as benign, malignant, suspicious for malignancy, or indeterminate.

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