Background-Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and is characterized by gradual autoimmune mediated thyroid failure with occasional goiter development. Hashimoto's (HT) is seven times more likely to occur in women than in men. Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), the most prevalent form of cancer in the thyroid, is 2.5 times more likely to develop in women than men. Given the relatively high prevalence of these diseases and the increased occurrence in women, we analyzed data from our institution to determine if there is a correlation between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and PTC in women.

Background Hürthle cell neoplasms (HCNs) are rare tumors of the thyroid gland. The definitive treatment for Hürthle cell carcinoma (HCC) is total thyroidectomy, while thyroid lobectomy is adequate for Hürthle cell adenoma (HCA). However, differentiating HCC from HCA either before or during surgery is a challenge. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predict malignancy in patients with HCN. Methods Between May 1994 and January 2007, 1,199 patients underwent thyroid surgery at an academic medical center. Medical records of 55 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid resections for the preoperative diagnosis of HCN were reviewed. Results Of the 55 patients with HCN, 46 (84%) had adenomas and 9 (16%) had carcinomas. Patients with HCC were significantly older than those with HCA (66 ± 6 years versus 53 ± 2 years, P = 0.01). Patients with carcinoma also had significantly larger thyroid nodules (4.5 ± 0.7 cm versus 2.5 ± 0.2 cm, P < 0.001). All HCNs less than 2 cm in diameter were benign. The malignancy rate increased with nodule size: 18% of nodules measuring 2–4 cm, and 44% of those larger than 4 cm were HCC. One patient with HCC had recurrence of the disease, but there were no disease-related deaths. Conclusion Advanced patient age and larger nodule size are two important factors that predict malignancy in patients with HCN. In patients with these and other known risk factors for HCC, total thyroidectomy should be considered.

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