INCIDENCE OF MALIGNANCY IN BETHESDA III AND IV THYROID NODULES .

INTRODUCTIONThyroid nodules represent an abnormal increase in the volume of the thyroid parenchyma, and can as well be construed as thyroid heterogeneity possibly due to both genetic and epigenetic factors. By ‘palpation’, 3% - 7% of the general population has palpable nodules, while 20% - 76% of thyroid nodules are observed in images of grey-scale ultrasound and autopsy data.It is estimated that 20% to 48% of thyroid nodules are incidentalomas, that are characterized for being discovered in incidental manner, either with or without accompanying clinical symptoms. These incidental thyroid lesions are frequently identified through imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET), often conducted for reasons unrelated to thyroid evaluation.Thyroid nodules are mostly benign, with only 5% to 15% being malignant. These nodules are observed more repetitively in elderly population as well as individuals with deficiency of iodine. Additionally, prevalence of thyroid nodules in females are more in females compared to males, with a ratio of 4:1.Cancer of the thyroid gland is the most prevalent form of malignancy related to endocrine, representing 2% to 3% of the entire cancers. Its occurrence is three to four times more common in females than in their counterparts males, with a new study indicating that above 77% of thyroid cancer patients globally are female. Additionally, over 95% of cases of thyroid cancer are classified as differentiated carcinomas, which arise from thyroid follicular cells and retain the capacity of concentrating iodine.