单个毒性腺瘤被认为是良性单克隆肿瘤,可以不依赖促甲状腺激素 (TSH) 生长并产生甲状腺激素。[6]Corvilain B. The natural history of thyroid autonomy and hot nodules. Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2003 Feb;64(1):17-22.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12707627?tool=bestpractice.com[9]Brtko J, Bobalova J, Podoba J, et al. Thyroid hormone receptors and type I iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase activity of human thyroid toxic adenomas and benign cold nodules. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2002 Jun;110(4):166-70.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12058339?tool=bestpractice.com[10]Krohn K, Führer D, Holzapfel HP, et al. Clonal origin of toxic thyroid nodules with constitutively activating thyrotropin receptor mutations. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998 Jan;83(1):130-4.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9435429?tool=bestpractice.com 它们出现在甲状腺细胞的活化性(功能获得)种系突变之后。 这些突变常常影响 TSH 受体,较少影响活化型 G 蛋白的 α 亚基。[10]Krohn K, Führer D, Holzapfel HP, et al. Clonal origin of toxic thyroid nodules with constitutively activating thyrotropin receptor mutations. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998 Jan;83(1):130-4.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9435429?tool=bestpractice.com[11]Tonacchera M, Vitti P, Agretti P, et al. Functioning and nonfunctioning thyroid adenomas involve different molecular pathogenetic mechanisms. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999 Nov;84(11):4155-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10566665?tool=bestpractice.com[12]Parma J, Duprez L, Van Sande J, et al. Diversity and prevalence of somatic mutations in the thyrotropin receptor and Gs alpha genes as a cause of toxic thyroid adenomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Aug;82(8):2695-701.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9253356?tool=bestpractice.com[13]Georgopoulos NA, Sykiotis GP, Sgourou A, et al. Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules in a former iodine-deficient area commonly harbor gain-of-function mutations in the thyrotropin signaling pathway. Eur J Endocrinol. 2003 Oct;149(4):287-92.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14514342?tool=bestpractice.com[14]Trulzsch B, Krohn K, Wonerow P, et al. Detection of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor and Gsalpha mutations: in 75 toxic thyroid nodules by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. J Mol Med. 2001;78(12):684-91.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11434721?tool=bestpractice.com 基因及环境因素(例如碘缺乏)以及甲状腺细胞异质性可能会引发这些克隆最后变为自主功能性结节。[15]Derwahl M. TSH receptor and Gs-alpha gene mutations in the pathogenesis of toxic thyroid adenomas - a note of caution. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996 Aug;81(8):2783-5.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8768829?tool=bestpractice.com
在世界范围内,碘缺乏是研究最多的甲状腺肿流行病学危险因素。[16]Krohn K, Fuhrer D, Bayer Y, et al. Molecular pathogenesis of euthyroid and toxic multinodular goiter. Endocr Rev. 2005 Jun;26(4):504-24.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15615818?tool=bestpractice.com 对于有自主性结节的个人而言,碘负荷(例如来自碘化放射显影剂、胺碘酮或饮食变化)也可能引起碘甲亢(Jod-Basedow 现象)。[17]Bartalena L, Bogazzi F, Chiovato L, et al. 2018 European Thyroid Association (ETA) guidelines for the management of amiodarone-associated thyroid dysfunction. Eur Thyroid J. 2018 Mar;7(2):55-66.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5869486/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29594056?tool=bestpractice.com