Association of single and multiple thyroid nodules with a higher incidence of malignant neoplasms.

To compare the prevalence of single and multiple thyroid nodules and associate them with the presence of thyroid cancers. This was an observational, retrospective study carried out in a reference center for pathology and a private hospital in Joinville, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Data were collected from January 2011 to December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: those with single and multiple thyroid nodules. The variables were age, sex, size, location, number of nodules, ultrasound findings, cytology based on needle aspiration biopsy (FNA), and histology of lesions. Multiple thyroid nodules presented higher irregularity and affected older individuals. In the adjusted odds ratio, single and multiple nodules were compared, demonstrating a higher number of cases of single nodules with BETHESDA classification 4. There were no significant differences in the association between single and multiple thyroid nodules and a higher incidence of malignant neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]