[A model for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid tumors]

From 1992 to 1994 23 patients with tumor or nodular goiter of thyroid gland have been treated in Otolaryngology Department of County Hospital No 1 in Rzeszów, Poland. Histology examination has revealed malignant tumors in 5 (21.7%) cases: papillary carcinoma in 3 cases and follicular carcinoma in 2 cases. Based on own material and references authors present the model of diagnostic course in case of single or multiple nodules of thyroid gland. Physical examination, ultrasonography, thyroid hormone levels, fine-needle biopsy, nuclear scan and intrasurgery pathology examination in case of malignancy suspicion have been taken into consideration. Treatment of thyroid gland tumors requires cooperation otolaryngology, endocrinology, oncology and surgery specialties. In a case of thyroid carcinoma radical surgery must be followed by radiotherapy with using radioactive iodine and/or external radiotherapy.