Hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. A report of three cases.

In patients with hyperthyroidism and a palpable solitary nodule, the physician should be alert to the need for further evaluation before a method of therapy is chosen. In our opinion, surgery should be the treatment of choice for a hyperthyroid patient with a "cold" solitary thyroid nodule. We no longer believe that hyperthyroidism minimizes the possibility of coexistent thyroid carcinoma in hyperthyroid patients with hypofunctioning nodules. We would also suggest a reexamination of the concept of thyroid carcinoma being dependent on thyroid-stimulating hormone.