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Molecular Profiles and the “Indeterminate” Thyroid Nodule

  • Chapter
Controversies in Thyroid Surgery

Abstract

Although fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is the most accurate and reliable diagnostic test available for the evaluation of a thyroid nodule, 20–30 % of FNA results are indeterminate or suspicious. In order to improve upon the diagnostic accuracy of FNA, several ancillary molecular tests have emerged to further refine the diagnostic role of FNA biopsy and improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of indeterminate thyroid lesions. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in the investigation of these molecular markers, and promising findings have been reported. However, because of the complexity of surgical decision-making processes, the clinical usefulness and impact of these markers remain unclear. This chapter will review the efficacy and potential clinical utility of these molecular markers in preoperative diagnosis of an indeterminate thyroid nodule.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe St., Blalock 606, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Alireza Najafian M.D., Aarti Mathur M.D. & Martha A. Zeiger M.D., F.A.C.S.

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  1. Alireza Najafian M.D.
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  2. Aarti Mathur M.D.
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  3. Martha A. Zeiger M.D., F.A.C.S.
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Correspondence to Martha A. Zeiger M.D., F.A.C.S. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery; University of Virginia Health System, C Bruce Morton Professor and Chief; Division of General Surgery, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    John B. Hanks

  2. Chairman Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Eugene W Friedman Professor of Surgery; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA

    William B. Inabnet III

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Najafian, A., Mathur, A., Zeiger, M.A. (2016). Molecular Profiles and the “Indeterminate” Thyroid Nodule. In: Hanks, J., Inabnet III, W. (eds) Controversies in Thyroid Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20523-6_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20523-6_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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