[Advances in thyroid cytopathology in China over the last ten years: retrospect and prospect].

Abstract

Over the last ten years, China has made significant breakthroughs in the construction of a standardized diagnosis and treatment system and technological innovation in thyroid tumor cytology. In terms of diagnostic techniques, a standardized process combining manual smears and liquid-based cytology has been established. The combination of hematoxylin-eosin staining and cell block technology has significantly improved diagnostic accuracy, while immunocytochemical staining plays an important role in the differential diagnosis of difficult cases. The molecular pathology detection system has achieved leapfrog development, evolving from single-gene BRAF detection to a multi-gene panel covering BRAF, TERT and RAS genes. The application of next-generation sequencing and other new technologies has significantly improved preoperative diagnostic efficacy. The publication of the "Expert consensus on the cytopathological diagnosis of thyroid-fine needle aspiration (version 2023)" has further promoted the standardization of thyroid cytology diagnosis in China. Meanwhile, Chinese scholars have made breakthroughs in the field of medical artificial intelligence. A self-developed deep learning model was published in The Lancet Digital Health, achieving a diagnostic accuracy of 96.8% in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules. A series of high-impact research results published in journals such as the Chinese Journal of Pathology marks China's entry into the international forefront in this field.