Nodular goiter and goiter nodules: Where iodine deficiency falls short of explaining the facts

M. Derwahl; H. Studer

doi:10.1055/s-2001-16344

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, Table of Contents

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2001; 109(5): 250-260
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16344

Review

Nodular goiter and goiter nodules: Where iodine deficiency falls short of explaining the facts[*]

M. Derwahl ¹ , H. Studer ²

¹ Department of Medicine, St. Hedwig Hospital and Humboldt University Berlin, Germany
² Professor emeritus, Bern, Switzerland

Abstract

Summary:

While the concept of iodine deficiency (ID) still dominates most discussions about the pathogenesis of multinodular goiter (MNG), the present review focuses on those mechanisms that may cause MNG in the absence of ID. Among the many facets of MNG that cannot simply be explained by ID, are the frequent occurrence of the disease in patients not exposed to ID, the autonomous growth of goiters - often accompanied by subclinical or even overt thyrotoxicosis -, the inverse relationship between goiter size and serum TSH, the multifocal, heterogeneous and nodular growth pattern, the heterogeneity of function with the familiar patchy iodine metabolism on scintiscans, the growth of clonal and polyclonal nodules, the prominent genetic predisposition. Even the notoriously low intrathyroidal iodine concentration - common to endemic as well as to sporadic goiter - is a secondary, rather than a primary event. Thus, the fundamental process of goitrogenesis, is independent from ID but operates through mechanisms innate to the hereditary and acquired heterogeneity among the thyrocytes themselves. In this view, goiter nodules and nodular goiters are true benign neoplasias arising by mechanisms common to all benign endocrine and nonendocrine neoplasms. However, superimposed iodine shortage greatly enhances the incidence of MNG and shifts its clinical appearance toward younger ages by adding one more growth factor - presumably enhanced TSH secretion - to an intrinsically activated growth regulating network.

Key words:

Nodular goiter - neoplasia - pathogenesis - iodine deficiency - sporadic goiter - heterogeneity - molecular aspects

Full Text

References

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1 * Supported in part by Dr. Mildred Scheel Foundation for Cancer Research and by E. Merck, Darmstadt and Biomedic e.V., Berlin.

2 ¹ A different process - not considered here - is autoimmune destruction of thyroid tissue followed by nodular outgrowth of the follicle clusters left intact within the network formed by the destructed parenchyma.

3 A considerably more detailed reference list is provided in the 3 following overviews: Derwahl and Studer, 1998 Studer and Derwahl, 1995 Studer et al., 1989

Professor Dr. M. Derwahl

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St. Hedwig Hospital

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Germany

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Email: M.Derwahl@alexius.de