Therapeutic problems of nontoxic nodular goiter

The crucial point regarding non-toxic nodular goiter is the early diagnosis of neoplasm. A neoplasm may be suspected if a nodular goiter has shown recent growth with the concurrent appearance of pressure symptoms, if it is found in a patient under the age of 20, if vocal cord paralysis is present, or emphatically, if a solitary nodule is discovered. Such non-toxic nodular goiters should be promptly removed regardless of the presence or absence of pressure symptoms. If significant pressure symptoms are present, this in itself is an adequate reason for thyroidectomy.