Intraoperative pathologic examination in the era of molecular testing for differentiated thyroid cancer Journal Article

Local Library Link: Find It @ Loyola

Authors: McCoy, K. L.; Carty, S. E.; Armstrong, M. J.; Seethala, R. R.; Ohori, N. P.; Kabaker, A. S.; Stang, M. T.; Hodak, S. P.; Nikiforov, Y. E.; Yip, L.
Article Title: Intraoperative pathologic examination in the era of molecular testing for differentiated thyroid cancer
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Diagnostic thyroidectomy is typically indicated for indeterminate thyroid cytology results. Traditionally, intraoperative pathologic examination (IOPE) helped to guide the extent of initial surgery. Preoperative molecular testing (MT) of fine needle aspiration cytology has emerged as another diagnostic adjunct, is highly specific for thyroid cancer, and can lead to appropriate initial total thyroidectomy. We hypothesized that preoperative MT obviates the need for routine IOPE during lobectomy. STUDY DESIGN: In a retrospective, consecutive cohort study, we compared outcomes of 670 patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Cohort A (January 2005 to December 2006) received surgery without MT, and cohort B (January 2008 to September 2010) had preoperative MT for BRAF, RAS, RET/PTC, and PAX8/PPARgamma mutations, and cytology assessment by the 2007 modified Bethesda criteria. In both cohorts, IOPE was performed during lobectomy and a positive result prompted total thyroidectomy. RESULTS: In cohort B, total thyroidectomy was more often the initial surgery (62% vs A 45%; p /=1 cm decreased >60% with routine use of MT and the Bethesda criteria (A 18.4% vs B 5.9%). After lobectomy, differentiated thyroid cancer >/=1 cm was equally likely to be diagnosed in both cohorts (p = 0.1), but follicular variant papillary thyroid cancer was more common in cohort B (74% vs 45%; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Together with the Bethesda cytologic criteria, preoperative MT allows for an increased rate of initial definitive total thyroidectomy and eliminates the need for routine intraoperative pathologic examination during diagnostic lobectomy.
Journal Title: Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Volume: 215
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1879-1190; 1072-7515
Publisher: Elsevier Inc  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2012
Start Page: 546
End Page: 554
Language: eng
DOI/URL:

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2012.05.027

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2012.05.027
Notes: CI: Copyright (c) 2012; JID: 9431305; 2012/04/05 [received]; 2012/05/21 [revised]; 2012/05/21 [accepted]; 2012/07/04 [aheadofprint]; ppublish