LAUSR

Background and Objectives: In this study, we aimed to analyze the incidence and findings of incidental thyroid carcinoma (ITC) in patients undergoing thyroidectomy for benign multinodular goitre (MNG). Methods: A total of 361 consecutive MNG patients with benign (Bethesda II) Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) results who underwent thyroidectomy without any suspicion of malignancy or malignancy between January 2009 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with ITC were evaluated in terms of age, sex, operation indication, surgery, tumor type, tumor diameter, tumor multicentricity and complications. Results: Of the total 361 patients, 288 (79.8%) were female and 73 (20.2%) were male and the mean age was 48.5 years. One-hundred-and-fourteen (31.6%) of the cases were operated for toxic MNG, 32 (8.9%) for toxic adenoma, 209 (57.9%) for 4 cm and larger nodule, and 6 (1.6%) for nodules accompanying parathyroid adenoma. ITC was detected in 42 (11.6%) cases; Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma was found in 38 (10.5%) and papillary thyroid carcinoma in 4 (1.1%). ITC was found in equal proportion (11.6%) in patients with and without hyperthyroidism. Conclusions: We believe that TT or HT is a suitable surgical treatment method in order to reduce the risk of reoperation and related morbidity in benign MNG patients.