title: Endocrine tumors: evaluation of the thyroid nodule.
abstract: Thyroid nodules are found in 4 to 7% of the population, and with the increased use of radiographic methods, incidental nodules are becoming more prevalent. Only 5% of all nodules will be malignant, and thyroid cancer accounts for only 0.4% of all cancer deaths. The preferred diagnostic approach is early referral, avoidance of numerous radiologic evaluations, and early performance fine-needle aspiration. This article reviews the literature of the last 12 months and discusses some of the new molecular, genetic, and immunostaining techniques in the evaluation of thyroid nodules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. sanziana.roman@yale.edu
authors.forename: Sanziana A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Roman
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology