The dilemma of indeterminate thyroid cytology: how many markers are needed for a reliable diagnosis?

Abstract

Indeterminate cytology arises from the limit inherent in traditional cyto-morphological analysis. Numerous benign processes can cause subtle cellular or nuclear changes, sometimes indistinguishable from findings of well-differentiated carcinoma. Moreover, follicular carcinoma can be diagnosed only if the tumor’s ability to penetrate capsular or vascular structures is documented, but such a property can only be assessed at final histology.