Histological evaluation of thyroid carcinomas: reproducibility of the "WHO" classification.
OBJECTIVE
Thyroid carcinomas display several pathologic features, show different behavior and necessitate different treatment; thus correct classification is mandatory.


METHODS
The kappa statistic was used as a measure of agreement in a panel of seven pathologists who reviewed 200 cases of thyroid tumors.


RESULTS
Overall agreement was 83% (k = 68). Good agreement was found for anaplastic (k = 0.85) and papillary carcinomas (k = 0.81); agreement for medullary carcinoma was acceptable (k = 0.80), suboptimal for other (k = 0.67), and poor for follicular carcinoma (k = 0.54).


CONCLUSIONS
Central pathology review of thyroid carcinomas is recommended when clinical and epidemiologic trials are planned.
Fassina
A S
AS
Institute of Pathology, University of Padua, Italy.
Montesco
M C
MC
Ninfo
V
V
Denti
P
P
Masarotto
G
G
D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D014944:World Health Organization