The prevalence of nodular thyroid disease increases with aging, especially during sixth decade of the life, 5-10% of the general population have one or more palpable thyroid nodules. Nodular goiter is more common in persons living in areas with iodine deficiency. Cold thyroid nodules have been estimated 2.5 times more frequent in iodine areas in comparison with the iodine sufficient areas.

The evaluation and management of solitary thyroid nodules constitute a very common problem in medicine.

The concern with thyroid nodules is that they may be malignant, the challenge, that only a small minority are in fact malignant.

The prevalence of nodular goiter is noticeable in Hamadan (hyperendemic area). We studied the clinical, radio isotopic, ultrasonographic and pathologic characteristics of 450 solitary thyroid nodules in Hamadan.

59% of patients were female and 41% were male. 22% nodules were systic & 78% were solid. 30% of solid nodules were warm & 41% were cold in radioisotopic study. About 11% of cold nodules were malignant and papillary cell carcinoma were the most common type of thyroid malignancy.