Cancer cytopathology
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Cancer cytopathology · Oct 2014
Comparative StudyImplications of a suspicious afirma test result in thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology: an institutional experience.
Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is the most frequently used method for thyroid nodule evaluation. However, up to 30% of cases are considered indeterminate. Surgery is typically recommended for these cases, but up to two-thirds of indeterminate cases are found to be benign. The Afirma test is used for the preoperative classification of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. This study reviews the authors' institutional experience with Afirma. ⋯ The Afirma classifier is a useful tool to aid in the distinction of cytologically indeterminate nodules. Performing Afirma in cases diagnosed as AUS/FLUS on repeat FNA would increase the positive predictive value, thereby minimizing the number of benign cases referred to surgery. Results of the Afirma test could be limited in cases diagnosed as FNOF.