title: Evolution of toxicity in solitary nontoxic autonomously functioning thyroid nodules.
abstract: Between 1961 and 1979, 349 patients with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) were seen. There were 287 nontoxic and 62 toxic lesions. Toxic lesions were seen in 56.5% of AFTN patients over 60 yr of age but in only 12.5% of the younger patients. The female to male ratio was 14.9:1 for nontoxic AFTN patients but only 5.9:1 for toxic AFTN patients. The proportion of toxic AFTN in patients less than 20 yr old (13.8%) was not significantly different from that in patients 20--60 yr old (12.7%). T3 toxicosis was observed in 46% of those patients with hyperthyroidism. All but 4 of the toxic AFTN measured 3 cm in diameter or larger. AFTN 3 cm or larger were more than twice as common in patients 40 yr or older than in younger patients. Of 159 untreated nontoxic AFTN patients, 14 became toxic within 1--6 yr. One patient in 5 with a nontoxic AFTN 3 cm or larger developed toxicity.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014284:Triiodothyronine