title: Risk stratification based on thyroid cytology: can we rely on national data?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine correlation of malignancy rates between fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and surgical specimen in an urban academic environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review at an academic medical center of fine needle aspiration biopsies and surgical specimens in a head and neck otolaryngology practice between 2000 and 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 74 biopsies diagnosed as follicular lesion, 34 (45.9%) were malignant. Of the 45 biopsies diagnosed as follicular neoplasm, 22 (48.9%) were malignant. These results are significantly higher than the average risk of malignancy cited by the American Thyroid Association of 5%-10% and 20%-30% for follicular lesions and neoplasms respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of malignancy based on a FNA diagnosis of indeterminate cytology (follicular lesion or follicular neoplasm) can vary greatly among different institutions. Thyroid surgeons should be aware of their local pathology practices to better guide therapy and counsel patients.
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Detroit, MI.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Detroit, MI. Electronic address: zvandegr@med.wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Zachary P
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: VandeGriend
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Detroit, MI; Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit MI.
authors.forename: George H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Detroit, MI.
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Folbe
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Detroit, MI; Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit MI; John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI.
authors.forename: Ho-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000473:pathology*