Clinical, ultrasonographic, and cytological characteristics of niftp and postoperative outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.

IF 3.3 3区医学 Q2 ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM

Endocrine Pub Date : 2026-09-28 DOI:10.1007/s12020-026-04789-z

Ekin Yiğit Köroğlu, Cevdet Aydin, Çağlar Keskin, Ayşegül Aksoy Altinboğa, Asiye Şafak Bulut, Buket Altun Özdemir, Oya Topaloğlu, Reyhan Ersoy, Bekir Çakir

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) is an indolent thyroid neoplasm that cannot be definitively diagnosed before surgery. We aimed to describe the preoperative clinical, ultrasonographic and cytological characteristics of patients with NIFTP and to assess their postoperative outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 165 adult patients with a histopathological diagnosis of NIFTP managed at a single tertiary center between January 2019 and July 2025. Demographic, biochemical, ultrasonographic (EU-TIRADS and ATA ultrasound risk stratification), cytological (Bethesda system) and follow-up data were analyzed. Outcome analyses were restricted to patients with isolated NIFTP.

Results: Most patients were female (84.8%), with a mean age of 49.99 ± 12.61 years, and autoimmune thyroiditis was present in 26.7%. On ultrasound, 73.3% of nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS 2-3 and 73.9% as ATA low risk, with nearly identical distributions between the two systems. Among biopsied nodules, 41.8% fell into indeterminate Bethesda categories (III-IV), with Bethesda III being the most frequent, while 5.0% were classified as suspicious for malignancy (Bethesda V). Concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma was identified in 41.2% of patients. Among the 97 patients with isolated NIFTP, no lymph node metastasis or structural recurrence occurred over a median follow-up of 28.0 (IQR 17.0-40.0; range 6-76) months, and only one patient received radioiodine.

Conclusion: NIFTP showed predominantly low-risk ultrasonographic and indeterminate cytological features, frequent coexisting carcinoma, and an excellent prognosis. These findings support conservative management, while the absence of dedicated follow-up recommendations warrants continued surveillance.

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niftp的临床、超声和细胞学特征及术后结果：一项回顾性队列研究。

目的：非侵袭性滤泡性甲状腺肿瘤具有乳头状核特征（NIFTP）是一种术前不能明确诊断的惰性甲状腺肿瘤。我们的目的是描述NIFTP患者的术前临床、超声和细胞学特征，并评估其术后预后。方法：本回顾性队列研究纳入了2019年1月至2025年7月在单一三级中心进行NIFTP组织病理学诊断的165名成年患者。分析人口统计学、生化、超声（EU-TIRADS和ATA超声危险分层）、细胞学（Bethesda系统）和随访资料。结果分析仅限于孤立性NIFTP患者。结果：女性居多（84.8%），平均年龄49.99±12.61岁，自身免疫性甲状腺炎占26.7%。超声检查，73.3%的结节被划分为EU-TIRADS 2-3级，73.9%的结节被划分为ATA低危，两种系统的分布几乎相同。在活检的结节中，41.8%的结节属于不确定的Bethesda分类（III- iv），其中Bethesda III型最常见，而5.0%的结节被归类为可疑的恶性肿瘤（Bethesda V）。41.2%的患者并发甲状腺乳头状癌。在97例孤立性NIFTP患者中，中位随访28.0个月（IQR 17.0-40.0；范围6-76）个月未发生淋巴结转移或结构性复发，仅有1例患者接受放射性碘治疗。结论：NIFTP主要表现为低危超声及不确定的细胞学特征，常并发癌，预后良好。这些发现支持保守管理，而缺乏专门的后续建议需要继续监测。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Endocrine ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM-

CiteScore

6.50

自引率

5.40%

发文量

295

审稿时长

1.5 months

期刊介绍： Well-established as a major journal in today’s rapidly advancing experimental and clinical research areas, Endocrine publishes original articles devoted to basic (including molecular, cellular and physiological studies), translational and clinical research in all the different fields of endocrinology and metabolism. Articles will be accepted based on peer-reviews, priority, and editorial decision. Invited reviews, mini-reviews and viewpoints on relevant pathophysiological and clinical topics, as well as Editorials on articles appearing in the Journal, are published. Unsolicited Editorials will be evaluated by the editorial team. Outcomes of scientific meetings, as well as guidelines and position statements, may be submitted. The Journal also considers special feature articles in the field of endocrine genetics and epigenetics, as well as articles devoted to novel methods and techniques in endocrinology. Endocrine covers controversial, clinical endocrine issues. Meta-analyses on endocrine and metabolic topics are also accepted. Descriptions of single clinical cases and/or small patients studies are not published unless of exceptional interest. However, reports of novel imaging studies and endocrine side effects in single patients may be considered. Research letters and letters to the editor related or unrelated to recently published articles can be submitted. Endocrine covers leading topics in endocrinology such as neuroendocrinology, pituitary and hypothalamic peptides, thyroid physiological and clinical aspects, bone and mineral metabolism and osteoporosis, obesity, lipid and energy metabolism and food intake control, insulin, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, hormones of male and female reproduction, adrenal diseases pediatric and geriatric endocrinology, endocrine hypertension and endocrine oncology.