Fine-needle aspiration biopsy-RT-PCR expression analysis of prothymosin alpha and parathymosin in thyroid: novel proliferation markers?

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy-based cytology has become an established and reliable diagnostic preoperative test in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. Despite the high specificity and sensitivity of the method, results might be doubtful in a significant number of cases. Genetic analysis of the aspirates by RT-PCR may contribute, in parallel to the cytology report, to a more precise diagnosis.