Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • News & Views
  • Published:

Thyroid function

Optimizing molecular testing in thyroid nodule cytology

BRAF mutation detection in cytological samples from thyroid nodules increases the sensitivity of cytology for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer and is believed to be a marker of aggressive disease. Lee et al. demonstrate high-sensitivity detection of the BRAF mutation with a new assay technique, but disprove the association with tumour aggressiveness.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Xing, M. BRAF mutation in thyroid cancer. Endocr. Relat. Cancer 12, 245–262 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Lee, S.-T. et al. Clinical implication of highly sensitive detection of the BRAF V600E mutation in fine-needle aspirations of thyroid nodules: a comparative analysis of three molecular assays in 4585 consecutive cases in a BRAF V600E mutation-prevalent area. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2011-3135.

  3. Nikiforov, Y. E. et al. Molecular testing for mutations in improving the fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of thyroid nodules. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 94, 2092–2098 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Cantara, S. et al. Impact of proto-oncogene mutation detection in cytological specimens from thyroid nodules improves the diagnostic accuracy of cytology. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 95, 1365–1369 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Basolo, F. et al. Correlation between the BRAF V600E mutation and tumor invasiveness in papillary thyroid carcinomas smaller than 20 millimeters: analysis of 1,060 cases. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 95, 4197–4205 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Xing, M. et al. BRAF mutation testing of thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens for preoperative risk stratification in papillary thyroid cancer. J. Clin. Oncol. 27, 2977–2982 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Pelttari, H. et al. BRAF V600E mutation does not predict recurrence after long-term follow-up in TNM stage I or II papillary thyroid carcinoma patients. APMIS 120, 380–386 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Cooper, D. S. et al. Revised American Thyroid Association management guidelines for patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroid 19, 1167–1214 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Yip, L. et al. Cost impact of molecular testing for indeterminate thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration biopsies. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2011-3048.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The author declares no competing financial interests.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pacini, F. Optimizing molecular testing in thyroid nodule cytology. Nat Rev Endocrinol 8, 390–391 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2012.85

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2012.85

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing