[Update on follicular thyroid cancer-What is relevant for surgeons?]

Abstract

Follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) is the second most frequent form of differentiated thyroid cancer, accounting for approximately 5-15% of all thyroid malignancies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification from 2022 FTC is divided into three subtypes, which clearly differ in the overall prognosis and probability of recurrence. Furthermore, knowledge about benign follicular tumors and low-grade neoplasms is important. Prognostic factors for malignant alterations include patient age, tumor size, invasive growth, the presence of angioinvasion and the occurrence of distant metastases. The surgical management is guided by these factors and therefore varies between the different FTC subtypes. In summary, a precise understanding of the individual subtypes of thyroid tumors is essential to be able to make an appropriate and personalized decision on surgical treatment.