Etiopathology of Feline Toxic Nodular Goiter

The etiopathology of feline toxic nodular goiter is discussed in the context of human nodular goiter pathogenesis. This article reviews the thyroid heterogeneity, growth regulation, functional and growth autonomy, nodule and tumor formation, and the evolution of toxic nodular goiter in the human being. The history, morphologic findings, xenotransplantation and cell culture studies, evidence for and against circulating thyroid stimulators, and epizootiologic studies of the feline disease are also summarized.