The Incidence of Malignancy in Patients with Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Population Study

Background: Thyroid nodules are extremely common with a prevalence about 20 – 76% of adult population. Thyroid cancer is present in about 5% of nodules, even though rates as high as 15% have been reported. To determine whether the nodule is benign or Malignant, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA biopsy) is the clinical procedure of choice. Objective: to evaluate thyroid nodules in order to determine the incidence of Malignancy in these nodules. Patient and Methods: A prospective study was conducted among 415 patients presented with thyroid nodules in the surgical outpatient clinic in Al – Kadhimain medical city from February 2020 to February 2022. Patients between  15 t0 75 years of age, both male and female patients, were included in this study. The assessment was done by thorough history, clinical examination, thyroid profile test, neck ultrasound and fine needle aspiration cytology. After fine needle aspiration, diagnostic cytology was classified according to British Thyroid Association guidelines as THY1: non diagnostic, THY2: benign (non - neoplastic), THY3: intermediate (including follicular neoplasm), THY4: suspicion of Malignancy and THY5: diagnostic of Malignancy.&nbsp