[Nodular goiter and thyroid cancer].

The available literature data and the author's observations do not support the view that nodular goiter or adenoma constitute an indispensable stage of carcinogenesis in human thyroid gland. They also suggest that the chances of malignant transformation of single nodular formations in the thyroid gland are sometimes exaggerated. Therefore, radical approach to treatment of single nodular formations should be sometimes revised and indications for surgery may be limited to a reasonable degree.