Molecular Pathogenesis of Euthyroid and Toxic Multinodular Goiter

• Published in: Endocrine reviews 2005-06, Vol.26 (4), p.504-524
• Main Authors: Krohn, Knut, Führer, Dagmar, Bayer, Yvonne, Eszlinger, Markus, Brauer, Volker, Neumann, Susanne, Paschke, Ralf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Transport; Chromosome Aberrations; Differential diagnosis; Endocrinopathies; Epidemiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic Linkage; Goiter; Goiter, Nodular - genetics; Goiter, Nodular - pathology; Goiter, Nodular - physiopathology; Humans; Hyperplasia; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Iodides - metabolism; Medical sciences; Mutagenesis; Mutation; Non tumoral diseases. Target tissue resistance. Benign neoplasms; Pathogenesis; Protein Array Analysis; Receptors, Thyrotropin - genetics; Signal Transduction; Thyroid; Thyroid Gland - physiopathology; Thyroid. Thyroid axis (diseases); Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0163-769X; 1945-7189
• DOI: 10.1210/er.2004-0005

The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge of the etiology of euthyroid and toxic multinodular goiter (MNG) with respect to the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and molecular pathology. In reconstructing the line of events from early thyroid hyperplasia to MNG we will argue the predominant neoplastic character of nodular structures, the nature of known somatic mutations, and the importance of mutagenesis. Furthermore, we outline direct and indirect consequences of these somatic mutations for thyroid pathophysiology and summarize information concerning a possible genetic background of euthyroid goiter. Finally, we discuss uncertainties and open questions in differential diagnosis and therapy of euthyroid and toxic MNG.