Benign and Malignant Thyroid Diseases

The thyroid is key to numerous metabolic and homeostatic processes, including thermomodulation, protein synthesis, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and adrenergic regulation. A normal thyroid gland weighs 15 to 25 g and is firm, mobile, and smooth to palpation. There are two distinct physiologically active cell types: follicular cells, which synthesize thyroid hormone, and parafollicular or C cells, which produce calcitonin. Surgery is indicated for three broad categories of thyroid disease: (1) a hyperfunctioning gland, (2) an enlarged gland (goiter) causing compressive symptoms, and (3) diagnosing or treating malignancy. These indications may overlap in a patient presenting for surgical consultation. Regardless of the indication, a thorough discussion with the patient about the thyroid disease and other diagnostic or therapeutic options (if any) should be conducted. This reviews contains 3 figures, 13 tables, and 56 references. Key Words: anaplastic thyroid cancer, antithyroid medications, Bethesda classification, follicular thyroid cancer, Graves disease, medullary thyroid cancer, nontoxic multinodular goiter, papillary thyroid cancer, radioactive iodine, toxic nodular goiter