Determining Patient Preferences for Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: Observation, Surgery or Molecular Tests.
Gene-expression classifiers (GEC) and genetic mutation panels (GMP) have been shown to improve preoperative diagnostic evaluations of indeterminate thyroid nodules. Despite the improvement, uncertainty regarding the proper management exists. Patient preferences may better inform the management of these indeterminate thyroid nodules.



Hypothetical scenarios were administered to two groups of patients: those with previous FNA-confirmed indeterminate thyroid nodules (Group A, n = 50) and those presenting to a general otolaryngology clinic for other reasons (Group B, n = 50). We evaluated patient preferences for surgery, observation and the use of molecular tests while varying the risk of malignancy, cost and diagnostic properties of the tests.



The mean threshold for choosing surgery over observation was a 38.6% risk of malignancy on FNA. When offered either GEC, GMP or both (with their inherent imperfect diagnostic properties) in addition to the indeterminate FNA, 85.0% of respondents picked at least one of the molecular tests over either observation or surgery if the test(s) were free of charge. However, only 51.7% of respondents chose at least one of the tests when asked to pay the current cost of the test(s) (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, sex, the presence of an indeterminate FNA diagnosis and income level significantly predicted the desire to proceed with a molecular test above standard management.



Patient preferences for thyroid nodule management are dependent on the risk of malignancy, prognosis of cancer and costs. Patients prefer molecular tests over standard management with indeterminate thyroid nodules, but the costs of the test(s) reduce the desire.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Daniel Joonil
DJ
Lee
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Jason J
JJ
Xu
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Princess Margaret Hospital-University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, 3-955, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
Dale H
DH
Brown
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Princess Margaret Hospital-University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, 3-955, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
Ralph W
RW
Gilbert
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Princess Margaret Hospital-University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, 3-955, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
Patrick J
PJ
Gullane
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Princess Margaret Hospital-University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, 3-955, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
Jonathan C
JC
Irish
Department of Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Princess Margaret Hospital-University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, 3-955, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
Lorne E
LE
Rotstein
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Princess Margaret Hospital-University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, 3-955, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
David P
DP
Goldstein
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. john.dealmeida@uhn.ca.|Princess Margaret Hospital-University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, 3-955, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada. john.dealmeida@uhn.ca.
John R
JR
de Almeida
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D057240:Patient Preference; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*