What is the single most appropriate diagnosis for a 39-year-old man with unintentional weight loss, palpitations, sweating, diarrhea, and a visible neck lump?

Study for the PLAB Endocrinology Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The scenario describes a 39-year-old man with symptoms consistent with hyperthyroidism, which is often indicated by weight loss, palpitations, sweating, and diarrhea. The presence of a visible neck lump further suggests a thyroid-related condition.

In this context, goiter, which refers to an enlargement of the thyroid gland, can result from various thyroid disorders, including hyperthyroidism, which could explain the symptoms of weight loss, palpitations, and increased sweating. Goiter can occur in conditions such as Graves' disease, where hyperthyroidism is present along with thyroid enlargement.

While the other options like lymphoma, tuberculous lymphadenitis, and thyroid cancer could present with a neck lump, they do not typically cause the specific constellation of symptoms observed in this patient. Lymphoma and tuberculous lymphadenitis often present with systemic features, but the profiles would generally include fever and other nonspecific signs rather than the hypermetabolic symptoms seen here. Thyroid cancer might present with a lump but is less likely to cause the hyperthyroid symptoms without additional specific findings.

Thus, considering the entire clinical picture, goiter is the most appropriate diagnosis in this case, as it encompasses the enlarged thyroid and the accompanying symptoms that suggest

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