Which Nodular Goiters Should Be Removed?

Abstract

WHEN the clinician discovers a nontoxic nodular goiter, he is often confronted with the decision whether it is necessary to remove the thyroid nodule. One group of authors cites a high incidence of thyroid cancer in nodular goiter and advises immediate surgical removal.^{1 2 3} Contrariwise, another group states that thyroid cancer is quite rare, even in nodular goiter, and advises either medical or no therapy in the majority of such patients.^{4 5 6} Much of the controversy over the management of nontoxic nodular goiter stems from this conflict concerning the incidence of thyroid cancer.It is the purpose of this report to review . . .