Endocrine tumors: evaluation of the thyroid nodule.
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.
Roman
Sanziana A
SA
Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. sanziana.roman@yale.edu
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology