Revisiting the Relationship Between Tumor Size and Risk in Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Large tumor size is associated with poorer outcomes in well-differentiated thyroid cancer, yet it remains unclear whether size >4 cm alone confers increased risk, independent of other markers of aggressive disease. The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between tumor size, other high-risk histopathological features, and survival in well-differentiated thyroid cancer and to evaluate the significance of 4 cm as a cutoff for management decisions. Patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer were identified from the National Cancer Database (2010-2015) and categorized by tumor size (i.

Assessing the Frequency of Deferrable Thyroid Nodule Biopsies to De-escalate Low-Value Care.

Objective: Thyroid nodules are common, yet fewer than 1 in 10 harbors malignancy. When present, thyroid cancer is typically indolent with excellent survival. Therefore, patients who are not candidates for thyroid cancer treatment due to comorbid disease may not require further thyroid nodule evaluation.

Insurance-Based Disparities in Guideline-Concordant Thyroid Cancer Care in the Era of De-escalation.

Introduction: Prior studies have demonstrated insurance-based disparities in the treatment of well-differentiated thyroid cancer. However, it remains unclear whether these disparities have persisted in the era of the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) management guidelines. The goal of this study was to assess whether insurance type is associated with the receipt of guideline-concordant and timely thyroid cancer treatment in a modern cohort.

Unraveling the significance of TSHR mutations in indeterminate thyroid cytology specimens.

Objectives: We investigated the clinical significance of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) mutations detected in thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens.

Methods: The pathology archives at our institution were reviewed between 2018 and 2021 for indeterminate (Bethesda category III and IV) specimens with Thyroseq® analysis showing TSHR mutations.

Results: A total of 2184 cases diagnosed as atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), and 2625 diagnosed as follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) were identified.

A Reappraisal of Suspicious Sonographic Features of Thyroid Nodules: Shape Is Not an Independent Predictor of Malignancy.

Context: For the correct clinical application of the sonographic risk-stratification systems, the definition of independent risk features that are foundational to each system is crucial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the gray-scale sonographic features independently associated with malignancy, and to compare different definitions.

Methods: This prospective, diagnostic accuracy study took place in a single thyroid nodule referral center.

Ultrasound Follow-Up of Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Scoping Review.

For cytologically benign thyroid nodules with very low to intermediate suspicion ultrasound patterns, optimal ultrasound follow-up intervals and outcomes of discontinuing follow-up are unclear. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched through August 2022 for studies comparing different ultrasound follow-up intervals and discontinuation versus continuation of ultrasound follow-up. The population was patients with cytologically benign thyroid nodules and very low to intermediate suspicion ultrasound patterns, and the primary outcome was missed thyroid cancers.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Appropriate Thyroid Cancer Treatment, Before and After the Release of the 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines.

Background: The 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines reduced the recommended extent of therapy for low-risk thyroid cancers. Little is known about the impact of these changes on overall treatment patterns and on previously described racial/ethnic disparities in guideline-concordant care. This study aimed to assess trends in thyroid cancer care before and after release of the 2015 guidelines, with particular attention to racial/ethnic disparities.

What's in a Name? A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-Like Nuclear Features' Nomenclature Revision.

The noninvasive subtype of encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (eFVPTC) has been reclassified as noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) in 2016 to reflect the indolent behavior and favorable prognosis of this type of tumor. This terminology change has also de-escalated its management approach from cancer treatment to a more conservative treatment strategy befitting a benign thyroid neoplasm. To characterize the reduced health care costs and improved quality of life (QOL) from management of NIFTP as a nonmalignant tumor compared with the previous management as eFVPTC.

Contemporary Management of Thyroid Nodules.

Thyroid nodules are common in the general population, with higher prevalence in women and with advancing age. Approximately 5% of thyroid nodules are malignant; the majority of this subset represents papillary thyroid cancer. Ultrasonography is the standard technique to assess the underlying thyroid parenchyma, characterize the features of thyroid nodules, and evaluate for abnormal cervical lymphadenopathy.

Do Ultrasound Patterns and Clinical Parameters Inform the Probability of Thyroid Cancer Predicted by Molecular Testing in Nodules with Indeterminate Cytology?

Molecular testing (MT) is commonly used to refine cancer probability in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. Whether or not ultrasound (US) patterns and clinical parameters can further inform the risk of thyroid cancer in nodules predicted to be positive or negative by MT remains unknown. The aim of this study was to test if clinical parameters, including patient age, sex, nodule size (by US), Bethesda category (III, IV, V), US pattern (American Thyroid Association [ATA] vs.

Macrocalcifications Do Not Alter Malignancy Risk Within the American Thyroid Association Sonographic Pattern System When Present in Non-High Suspicion Thyroid Nodules.

The American Thyroid Association Sonographic Pattern System (ATASPS) depicts five levels of suspicion for malignancy based on the sonographic appearance of a thyroid nodule. However, 3-37% of nodules are non-classifiable when the combination of grayscale findings is not depicted by the ATASPS. The only calcifications included in the ATASPS are in solid hypoechoic high suspicion (HS) nodules and include both microcalcifications and peripheral interrupted calcifications with soft tissue extrusion.

ThyroSeq v3 for Bethesda III and IV: An institutional experience.

Background: The ThyroSeq v3 genomic classifier is a commercial molecular test that examines a wide spectrum of genomic alterations in a thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) sample and reports test results as either negative or positive. The authors report their institutional experience with ThyroSeq v3.

Methods: Thyroid FNA specimens diagnosed as either atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) (Bethesda category III [Bethesda III] according to The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology) or follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) (Bethesda IV) that had ThyroSeq v3 results available from December 2017 through October 2019 were retrieved for analysis.

A Survey of American Thyroid Association Members Regarding the 2015 Adult Thyroid Nodule and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Clinical Practice Guidelines.

The 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on management of thyroid nodules (TNs) and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in adults were developed to inform clinicians, patients, researchers, and health policy makers about the best available evidence, and its limitations, relating to management of these conditions. We conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey of ATA members' perspectives of these CPGs, using a standardized survey (Clinician Guidelines Determinant Questionnaire) developed by the Guidelines International Network. A survey link was electronically mailed to members in February of 2019, with reminders sent to nonrespondents 2 and 5 weeks later.

Hyperthyroidism and Pregnancy.

Clinical hyperthyroidism affects 0.1% to 0.4% of pregnancies.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria Thyroid Disease.

There are a wide variety of diseases that affect the thyroid gland ranging from hyperplastic to neoplastic, autoimmune, or inflammatory. They can present with functional abnormality or a palpable structural change. Imaging has a key role in diagnosing and characterizing the thyroid finding for management.

The Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Nodules: A Review.

Importance: Thyroid nodules are common, being detected in up to 65% of the general population. This is likely due to the increased use of diagnostic imaging for purposes unrelated to the thyroid. Most thyroid nodules are benign, clinically insignificant, and safely managed with a surveillance program.

American Thyroid Association Guidelines on the Management of Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Task Force Review and Recommendation on the Proposed Renaming of Encapsulated Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Without Invasion to Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-Like Nuclear Features.

American Thyroid Association (ATA) leadership asked the ATA Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Guidelines Task Force to review, comment on, and make recommendations related to the suggested new classification of encapsulated follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (eFVPTC) without capsular or vascular invasion to noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). The task force consists of members from the 2015 guidelines task force with the recusal of three members who were authors on the paper under review. Four pathologists and one endocrinologist were added for this specific review.

2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum.

Background: Thyroid disease in pregnancy is a common clinical problem. Since the guidelines for the management of these disorders by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) were first published in 2011, significant clinical and scientific advances have occurred in the field. The aim of these guidelines is to inform clinicians, patients, researchers, and health policy makers on published evidence relating to the diagnosis and management of thyroid disease in women during pregnancy, preconception, and the postpartum period.

2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: The American Thyroid Association Guidelines Task Force on Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Background: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem, and differentiated thyroid cancer is becoming increasingly prevalent. Since the American Thyroid Association's (ATA's) guidelines for the management of these disorders were revised in 2009, significant scientific advances have occurred in the field. The aim of these guidelines is to inform clinicians, patients, researchers, and health policy makers on published evidence relating to the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer.

Clinical review: Thyroid cancer mimics on surveillance neck sonography.

Sonography of the neck is a critical tool in monitoring patients after near-total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer. Sonography has proven to be among the most sensitive imaging techniques for the detection of recurrent or residual cancer in the thyroidectomy bed and metastatic cervical lymph nodes. It is important for the sonologist to be familiar with normal postsurgical findings and other disease processes that may imitate malignant lesions.

American Thyroid Association statement on preoperative imaging for thyroid cancer surgery.

Background: The success of surgery for thyroid cancer hinges on thorough and accurate preoperative imaging, which enables complete clearance of the primary tumor and affected lymph node compartments. This working group was charged by the Surgical Affairs Committee of the American Thyroid Association to examine the available literature and to review the most appropriate imaging studies for the planning of initial and revision surgery for thyroid cancer.

Summary: Ultrasound remains the most important imaging modality in the evaluation of thyroid cancer, and should be used routinely to assess both the primary tumor and all associated cervical lymph node basins preoperatively.