Fine-needle aspiration of the thyroid and correlation with histopathology in a contemporary series of 240 patients Guido M. Sclabas a, Gregg A. Staerkel b, Suzanne E. Shapiro a, Bruno D. Fornage a,d, Steven I. Sherman c, Rena Vassillopoulou-Sellin c, Jeffrey E. Lee a and Douglas B. Evans a a Department of Surgical Oncology, Box 444, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA b Department of Pathology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA c Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA d Diagnostic Radiology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA Abstract Background False-positive, false-negative, and indeterminate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy results complicate the management of patients with thyroid nodules. Methods Thyroid FNA results from 240 consecutive patients (seen 1991 to 2002) were categorized into four groups: positive for malignancy, negative for malignancy, indeterminate for malignancy, and nondiagnostic. Indeterminate results included follicular neoplasm, Hürthle cell neoplasm, and suspicious for papillary carcinoma. The FNA results were compared with histopathologic analysis after thyroidectomy. Results The FNA results were 76 (32%) positive for malignancy, 53 (22%) negative for malignancy, 100 (42%) indeterminate for malignancy, and 11 (5%) nondiagnostic. There were 3 (4%) false-positive and 2 (4%) false-negative FNA results. Among the 100 indeterminate FNA results, carcinoma was found in 11 (15%) of 73 follicular neoplasms, 2 (20%) of 10 Hürthle cell neoplasms, and 14 (82%) of 17 suspicious for papillary carcinoma. For the 73 patients with follicular neoplasms, nodule diameter >2 cm was associated with an increased risk of malignancy (P <0.03). Conclusions False-negative FNA results are uncommon, supporting the practice of observation in most of these patients. Among those with indeterminate biopsy results, high-risk subgroups include patients with FNA results suspicious for papillary carcinoma and follicular neoplasms >2 cm. American Journal of Surgery,Volume 186, Issue 6, Pages 702-710 (December 2003) Am Assoc of Clinical Endocrinologists, 5/06 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.