title: Clinical application of molecular testing of fine-needle aspiration specimens in thyroid nodules.
abstract: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, and its incidence is increasing. Thyroid cancer is typically diagnosed during the evaluation of thyroid nodules. Although most thyroid nodules are benign, the challenge is to accurately and effectively identify malignant nodules. Understanding of genetic pathways involved in thyroid carcinogenesis has improved, and molecular testing techniques have become widespread and cost-efficient. Routine testing for somatic mutations and rearrangements that are commonly found in thyroid cancer can augment current diagnostic testing algorithms for thyroid nodules, and can provide preoperative prognostic information that helps to optimize initial patient management.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Linwah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Electronic address: ferrrl@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ferris
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D061765:Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009154:Mutation; D057089:Pathology, Molecular / Q000379:methods; D058539:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy
chemical_list: D058539:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: Indeterminate biopsy; Molecular testing; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid nodule