Thyroid Nodular Evaluation and Treatment in Elderly Patients

Jeremy L. Freeman, MD, FRCSC, FACS, Professor of Otolaryngology, University of Toronto; Temmy Latner/Dynacare Chair in Head and Neck Oncology, Otolaryngologist-in-Chief, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON.

Carsten E. Palme, MB BS, FRACS, Fellow, Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

The management of thyroid nodules in the elderly patient involves paying specific attention to risk factors for malignancy. Certainly, patients over 45 years of age have a higher risk of harbouring a malignancy than younger patients. When a decision is made for intervention, one must keep in mind comorbidity issues balanced against the risk of surgery for a potential malignant tumour of low biological activity.
Key words: thyroid, risk factors, comorbidity, malignant tumour.