The Occurrence of Carcinoma of the Thyroid Gland in Autopsy Material

Abstract

THERE is ample reason for confusion in attempting to interpret recent clinical and pathological reports concerning both benign and malignant neoplasia of the thyroid gland in their relation to nodular goiter. Several papers have stressed the high incidence of cancer in nodular goiter. Thus, Ward1 found an incidence of 4.8 per cent, and Cole, Slaughter and Rossiter2 one of 7.2 per cent. Furthermore, Hinton and Lord3 observed a higher incidence of cancer in apparently benign nodular goiters (7.6 per cent) than in innocent appearing "lumps" in the breast (6.7 per cent) and therefore concluded that it is as justifiable to . . .