Molecular Testing of Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration: Local Issues and Solutions. An Interventional Cytopathologist Perspective

Abstract

Molecular testing has acquired a relevant role for diagnostic and prognostic stratification of indeterminate thyroid nodules. Besides the available commercial solutions marketed in the United States, various local testing strategies have been developed in the last decade. In this setting, the modern interventional cytopathologist, the physician who performs the both aspirate and the morphologic interpretation plays a key role in the correct handling of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples not only for microscopy but also for molecular techniques. This review summarizes experiences with local approaches to the molecular testing of thyroid FNA, highlighting the role of the modern interventional cytopathologist.

Keywords

• interventional cytopathologist
• FNA
• thyroid
• molecular techniques
• molecular pathology
• NGS