Cytopathology of Thyroid Nodules

Authors

Sudha R. Kini
J. Martin Miller
Joel I. Hamburger

Abstract

Fine needle aspiradon biopsy is a simple and accurate means of obtaining a tissue diagnosis for a thyroid nodule. Our experience with 3,000 such biopsies and 242 surgically proven cancers has enabled us to characterize the cytologic presentations of the common "nodular" thyroid diseases. We can readily identify nodular goiter and papillary, poorly differentiated follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and metastatic cancers. Benign follicular neoplasms and well-differentiated follicular cancers cannot be separated with great accuracy, but useful predictions can be made. Care is required to recognize the cellular abnormalities of autoimmune thyroiditis and to diagnose the coexistence of this disease with malignant lymphoma.

Recommended Citation

Kini, Sudha R.; Miller, J. Martin; and Hamburger, Joel I. (1982) "Cytopathology of Thyroid Nodules," Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal : Vol. 30 : No. 1 , 17-24.
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/hfhmedjournal/vol30/iss1/6