Natural course of thyroid cancer nodules compared with benign thyroid nodules

Background

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the length and volume of thyroid cancer nodules identified using fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) or surgery, and to compare the changes in size between thyroid cancer nodules and benign nodules. The secondary aim was to analyze the risk factors associated with thyroid cancer nodule growth.

Methods

A total of 114 patients with 121 nodules were enrolled in the cancer group, and 118 patients with 121 nodules were included in the benign group. All patients underwent thyroid ultrasonography at least twice at >1-year intervals.

Results

The initial mean age, gender, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, autoantibody levels, number of FNABs, initial maximum nodule length, and initial nodule volume did not differ between the two groups. The mean follow up durations in the cancer group and benign group were 30.1 ± 21.0 and 31.3 ± 16.9 months (p = 0.64), respectively. The maximum change in nodule length per year was 0.36 ± 0.97 mm in the cancer group and -0.04 ± 0.77 mm in the benign group (p = 

Conclusions

In conclusion, the present study suggested that thyroid cancer nodules progress rapidly compared with benign nodules, as exhibited by the ∼30% volume increase per year. Initial nodule size was an independent risk factor for cancer nodule growth.

Clinical trial identification

Legal entity responsible for the study

Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Funding

Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.