Frequency and intensity of pain related to thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration cytology.

Background: Quality of life is an important issue in endocrine tumors because of the high prevalence of benign tumors and the indolent course of most malignant tumors.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and the intensity of pain and anxiety in patients undergoing thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and to identify factors associated with pain.

Methods: Single center prospective study in the setting of a one-stop outpatient diagnostic clinic for thyroid nodules.