What does it mean when a thyroid nodule is suspicious?

What does it mean when a thyroid nodule is suspicious?

When a thyroid nodule is suspicious – meaning that it has characteristics that suggest thyroid cancer – the next step is usually a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).

How accurate is Afirma test?

Afirma GEC test specificity is 52% (4), suggesting that just over half of the benign nodules are called GEC benign. Test PPV measures the fraction of “positive” calls by the test (e.g. Afirma GEC suspicious) that are correct. Afirma GEC test PPV is 37-38% amongst Bethesda III and IV nodules (4).

Can a highly suspicious thyroid nodule be benign?

There are several types of thyroid nodules. A nodule can be benign, or noncancerous; toxic, meaning it produces too much thyroxine; or cancerous. Doctors at NYU Langone are experts in determining what type you have and choosing the appropriate treatment. About 90 to 95 percent of thyroid nodules are benign.

What is Afirma GEC?

The Afirma gene expression classifier (GEC) test uses thyroid cells obtained at the time of biopsy to screen for molecular markers (genes) that are associated with thyroid cancer.

Are suspicious thyroid nodules always cancerous?

The thyroid cells on these aspirates are neither clearly benign nor malignant. 25% of suspicious lesions are found to be malignant when these patients undergo thyroid surgery. These are usually follicular or Hurthle cell cancers.

What does a suspicious thyroid biopsy mean?

“Suspicious” thyroid biopsy: this happens usually when the diagnosis is a follicular or hurtle cell caused lesion. Follicular and hurtle cells are normal cells found in the thyroid. Current analysis of thyroid biopsy results cannot differentiate between follicular or hurtle cell cancer from noncancerous adenomas.

What if thyroid nodule is cancerous?

Most cancerous thyroid nodules are slow growing and may be small when your doctor discovers them. Aggressive thyroid cancers are rare with nodules that may be large, firm, fixed and rapid growing.

What is Afirma xpression Atlas?

Introduction. The Afirma Xpression Atlas (XA) (Veracyte, South San Francisco, California), which uses RNA sequencing to detect expressed variants and fusions, was launched in May 2018, and its analytical and clinical validation data for thyroid nodules were published subsequently.

How long does it take to get Afirma results?

Turnaround Time: Specimens are sent to the reference laboratory Mon-Sat; results are reported within 10-14 days.

What is suspicious neoplasm?

Suspicious for follicular neoplasm is a term pathologists use to describe a tumour in the thyroid gland. This diagnosis is usually made after a procedure called a fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Suspicious for follicular neoplasm is a preliminary diagnosis that includes both non-cancerous and cancerous conditions.

What happens if thyroid nodule is cancerous?

Thyroid Cancers. Five to 10 percent of thyroid nodules are malignant, or cancerous, although most cause no symptoms. Rarely, they may cause neck swelling, pain, swallowing problems, shortness of breath, or changes in the sound of your voice as they grow.

Does the afirma GEC classify indeterminate thyroid nodules as suspicious?

However the “suspicious” result of the Afirma GEC does not classify these indeterminate nodules further in determining appropriate management. This study investigated the outcome of the thyroid nodules deemed to be “suspicious” by the Afirma GEC in a high risk population.

How common is a suspicious afirma result in thyroid cancer?

Results: Afirma result was suspicious in 69 cases. On cytologic evaluation 3.0% of the cases were non diagnostic (ND), 9% benign, 62% AUS, and 26% suspicious for neoplasm (SN). There was no follow up in 13% of cases and 87% were resected (50% lobectomies and 50% total thyroidectomies).

What is wrong with afirma fvptc?

Another problem with Afirma is that pretty soon they are going to have to adjust the test to the reclassification of non-invasive FVPTC. At first it sounded like only the encapsulated variety was going to be included in the reclassification, but more recently it seems that non-encapsulated and non-invasive FVPTC is also going to be included.

How common are benign and suspicious GEC results?

Of the remainder, 17 (28%) were reported benign on GEC and 43 (72%) were reported as suspicious. A total of 4 patients with a benign GEC result went ahead with surgery anyway, with 1 cancer being found. A total of 32 patients with a suspicious GEC results had surgery with 5 cancers being found.