Cancer in cystic lesions of the thyroid
M. Hammer, J. Wortsman and R. Folse
We reviewed the records of 341 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for the
suspicion of cancer between 1975 and 1980. Cancer of the thyroid was found
in 14% of them. Although cysts of the thyroid (pathologic finding of a
fluid-filled cavity greater than 1 cm in diameter) were encountered in 35%
of the patients, cysts were similarly distributed among patients with
benign conditions (27%) or with cancer (33%). Most of the thyroid cysts in
patients with carcinoma measured 2 to 4 cm in diameter. The cancer was
found within the cystic cavity. The cysts in patients with cancer appeared
to originate from necrosis of the tumor. B-mode ultrasonography was not
reliable in differentiating cystic and solid lesions. The demonstration of
the cystic nature of a thyroid nodule does not rule out the diagnosis of
cancer of the gland.
