Endocrine Abstracts

The aim of the study: To compare FNA cytological examination and histological examination results of follicular thyroid tumors (FTT) and to define clinical features of benign and malignant FTT.

Materials: cases of patients with FTT, who underwent thyroid surgery in the Head Research Center for Endocrinology during the period 1998–2003, were studied retrospectively. The results of FNA and histological examination were evaluated particularly.

Results: The frequency of follicular adenomas (FA) was 91.1%, 8.9% cases of all FTT were follicular cancer (FC). 85% patients with FA and FC were females. At histological examination in 86% cases FTT were associated with nodular/multinodular goiter, in 5.1% cases with lymphoid thyroiditis and in 8.9% cases with Graves disease.

In 34.8% cases FC were a solitary thyroid nodules and in 65.2% cases were associated with multinodular goiter (MNG). FA were solitary nodules in half cases. Preoperative FNA results were evaluated retrospectively. In 30% cases cytological diagnosis was colloid nodular proliferating goiter. Practical difficulties in preoperative cytological evaluation were related to prevailing of MNG cases among operated patients.

Conclusion: The frequency of FC among patients with FTT was 8.9%. If FTT are associated with MNG the sensitivity of FNA for cytological verification of follicular neoplasia is about 40%.