Incidence and Clinical Relevance of Incidental Papillary Carcinoma in Thyroidectomy for Multinodular Goiters.

Incidental carcinoma is not uncommon in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy for goiters. It must be differentiated from microcarcinoma for its therapeutic implications and the follow-up of the patient. Statistical analysis has shown that the only significant variable is gender. In a goiter area, the careful monitoring of patients is required to highlight suspicious clinical-instrumental aspects that may appear even several years after the initial diagnosis.