Background: Thyroid nodules have been found a very common clinical problem and the size of the nodules including FNAC considered a choice of diagnosis. This study was an attempt to explore the options to be considered suitable in early diagnosis of
said malignancy toward improved quality of life.

Objective: This study is designed to explore thyroid examination features, nodule size with type and sub-type of cancer, nodule size and FNAC findings including histopathological diagnosis of thyroid lesions in particular.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted from November 2015 to April 2016 in Combined Military Hospital Dhaka and Dhaka Medical College Hospital. 100 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for nodular goiters were included in this study. Nodule size was measured by USG and fine needle aspiration of nodules performed.

Results: Out of 100 evaluated nodules, 19 (19%) were cancerous, demonstrating no graded increase in risk beyond the 2 cm threshold. When malignant, the proportion of papillary carcinoma decreased ( nodules, 1.0-1.9 cm, 100%, of cases; 2.0-2.9 cm, 100% ; 3.0-3.9 cm, 80%; ≥ 4cm, 0% ) [ p< 0.02], while follicular carcinoma increased ( 1.0-1.9 cm, 0%; 2.0-2.9 cm, 0%; 3.0- 3.9 cm, 20%; ≥ 4 cm, 66.7% ) [ p< 0.02] as nodules enlarged.

Conclusion: FNAC findings have found suitable for early diagnosis and prognosis of different types of thyroid malignancies. However, increasing nodule size, large, hard and fixed nodule, palpable lymph nodes, hoarseness of voice, as clinical parameters may provide clues for a suspected malignancy. A mass awareness program would have been beneficial for the population towards early diagnosis and intervention in improving quality of life.