Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: From Cytology to Molecular Testing

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of thyroid nodules has become the gold standard procedure, in terms of cost and efficacy, for guiding clinicians towards appropriate patients' management. One challenge for cytopathologists is to accurately classify cytological specimens as benign or malignant based on cytomorphological features. In fact, with a frequency ranging from 10% to 30%, nodules are diagnosed as indeterminate. In recent years, the mutational landscape of thyroid tumors has been extensively described, and two molecular profiles have been identified: RAS-like (NRAS, HRAS, and KRAS mutations; EIF1AX mutations; BRAF K601E mutation; and PPARG and THADA fusions) and BRAF(V600E)-like (including BRAF(V600E) mutation and RET and BRAF fusions). The purpose of this review is to discuss the latest molecular findings in the context of indeterminate thyroid nodules, highlighting the role of molecular tests in patients' management.

Automated summary

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system. Accurately classifying cytological specimens as benign or malignant based on cytomorphological features is a challenge for cytopathologists. Recent studies have identified two molecular profiles of thyroid tumors, RAS-like and BRAF(V600E)-like. Molecular tests play an important role in guiding patients' management.