Thyroid fine‐needle aspiration cytology: Performance data of neoplastic and malignant cases as identified from 1558 responses in the ASCP Non‐GYN Assessment program thyroid fine‐needle performance data. Issue 10 (9th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eilers, Stan G.; LaPolice, Paula; Mukunyadzi, Perkins; Kapur, Umesh; Wendel Spiczka, Amy; Shah, Ajay; Saleh, Husain; Adeniran, Adebowale; Nunez, Amberly; Balachandran, Indra; Clark, Jennifer J.; Lemon, Larry
• Is Part Of: Cancer cytopathology. Volume 122:Issue 10(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 745
• Page End: 750
• Publication Date: 2014-06-09
• Subjects: Cancer -- Cytopathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Cellular -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Technique -- Periodicals; 611.01815
• DOI: 10.1002/cncy.21440
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1934-662X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="cncy21440-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>BACKGROUND</title> <p>Fine‐needle aspiration of the thyroid is a common procedure, with an established role in reducing unnecessary thyroid surgery and identifying neoplasms and malignancies.</p> </sec> <sec id="cncy21440-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p>The study evaluated 1558 responses in the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Non‐GYN Assessment program of aspirates of thyroid neoplasms and malignancies and placed them into the following groups: group A (target or correct interpretation), group B (incorrect interpretation as a benign thyroid nodule), group C (incorrect interpretation malignant aspirate as thyroid neoplasm), and group D (malignant diagnosis with incorrect interpretation). In clinical practice, responses in groups A, C, and D would lead to surgical excision, whereas responses in group B would not.</p> </sec> <sec id="cncy21440-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p>Of a total of 1558 responses, 78.5% of the responses were in group A, 8.5% in group B, 3.75% in group C, and 9.25% in group D. By individual diagnosis, the group rates were 86.5%, 0%, 11%, and 2.5% for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma; 83%, 5.5%, 4.25%, and 7.25% for papillary thyroid carcinoma; 79%, 7%, 6%, and 8% for medullary thyroid carcinoma; 83.5% 6.75%, 0%, and 9.75% for Hürthle cell neoplasm; and 61%, 22%, 0%, and 17% for follicular neoplasm in groups A, B, C, and D respectively.</p> </sec> <sec id="cncy21440-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p>Fine‐needle aspiration was effective in diagnosing thyroid neoplasms and malignancies and in separating thyroid nodules into surgical and nonsurgical categories. Data from a large group of cytology professionals showed good performance; however, there is room for improvement, especially in making specific diagnoses. In particular, follicular neoplasm and follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma were challenging diagnoses for participants. <bold><italic>Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol)</italic> 2014;122:745–750.</bold> © 2014 The Authors. <italic>Cancer Cytopathology</italic> published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of <italic>American Cancer Society</italic>.</p> </sec> </abstract>