Non-gynaecological Cytology
Thyroid cytology
Anatomy and physiology of the thyroid
Thyroid nodules
Classification of thyroid neoplasms
Fine needle aspiration (FNA)
Adequacy of the specimen
Evaluation of the specimen
Terminology for reporting results
Benign conditions
The follicular lesions
Malignant tumours
Parathyroid tumours

Suspicious aspirate

In some cases it may be difficult to differentiate between a benign and a malignant lesion, particularly as there may be overlapping cytological features. Follicular neoplasms are often reported in this category, it being difficult to differentiate between follicular/Hürthle cell carcinomas and adenomas cytologically. 'Suspicious' cases may be: suspicious for papillary carcinoma, suspicious for a follicular neoplasm, suspicious for a Hürtle cell neoplasm. 60% of nodules reported as 'suspicious for papillary carcinoma' are malignant, in contrast with only 10-15% of nodules reported as 'suspicious for follicular or Hürthle cells neoplasms'.

Definition of suspicious:

  • All follicular lesions with cytological atypia
  • All papillary lesions without the nuclear criteria of papillary thyroid carcinoma
  • All pure Hürthle cell lesions
  • All monomorphic lymphoid lesions

 

 

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