title: Molecular diagnostics for thyroid nodules: the current state of affairs.
abstract: Molecular diagnostics offers great promise for the evaluation of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. Numerous molecular genetic and immunohistochemical tests have been developed that may be performed on thyroid specimens obtained during standard fine-needle aspiration, some of which may greatly improve diagnostic yield. A sound understanding of the diagnostic performance of these tests, and how they can enhance clinical practice, is important. This article reviews the diagnostic utility of immunohistochemical and molecular testing for the clinical assessment of thyroid nodules, and makes recommendations about how these tests can be integrated into clinical practice for patients with cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, BST 1140, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Sann Yu
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Mon
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3601 Fifth Avenue, Suite 587, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Electronic address: sph12@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hodak
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D009154:Mutation; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Atypia of uncertain significance/follicular lesion of uncertain significance; Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm; Genetic mutations in thyroid cancer; Immunohistochemical tests; Molecular diagnosis for thyroid nodules; Suspicious for malignant cells