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Paschke R. Why Did the Rapid Increase of Reflex Molecular Testing of Indeterminate Fine Needle Aspiration Cytologies in the USA Not Impact Thyroidectomy Rates? What Is the Lesson to Be Learned? Thyroid 2024; 34:290-291. [PMID: 38343362 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2024.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Paschke
- Department of Medicine, Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Calgary, Canada
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Stewardson P, Eszlinger M, Wu J, Khalil M, Box A, Perizzolo M, Punjwani Z, Ziehr B, Sanyal R, Demetrick DJ, Paschke R. Prospective Validation of ThyroSPEC Molecular Testing of Indeterminate Thyroid Nodule Cytology Following Diagnostic Pathway Optimization. Thyroid 2023; 33:1423-1433. [PMID: 37742115 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2023.0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Background: Molecular testing for cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs) is often reported with incomplete data on clinical assessment and ultrasound malignancy risk (USMR) stratification. This study aimed to clinically validate the diagnostic accuracy of a novel molecular test, assess the incremental preoperative malignancy risk of other clinical factors, and measure the impacts of introducing molecular testing at the population level. Methods: Comprehensive clinical data were collected prospectively for the first 615 consecutive patients with ITNs in a centralized health care system following implementation of a reflexive molecular test. Clinical data include patient history, method of nodule discovery, clinical assessment, USMR, cytology, molecular testing, and surgery or follow-up along with surgeon notes on surgical decision-making. Accuracy of molecular testing and the impact of the introduction of molecular testing were calculated. A multivariable regression model was developed to identify which clinical factors have the most diagnostic significance for ITNs. Results: A locally developed, low-cost molecular test achieved a negative predictive value (NPV) of 76-91% [confidence interval, CI 66-95%] and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 46-65% [CI 37-75%] in ITNs using only residual material from standard liquid cytology fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Sensitivity was highest (80%; [CI 63-92%]) in the American Thyroid Association (ATA) intermediate-suspicion ultrasound category, and lowest (46%; [CI 19-75%]) in the ATA high-suspicion ultrasound category. Following implementation of molecular testing, diagnostic yield increased by 14% (p = 0.2442) and repeat FNAs decreased by 24% (p = 0.05). Mutation was the primary reason for surgery in 76% of resected, mutation-positive patients. High-risk mutations were associated with a 58% (p = 0.0001) shorter wait for surgery. Twenty-six percent of patients with a negative molecular test result underwent surgery. Multivariable regression highlighted molecular testing and USMR as significantly associated with malignancy. Conclusions: Molecular testing improves preoperative risk stratification but requires further stratification for intermediate-risk mutations. Incorporation of clinical factors (especially USMR) with molecular testing may increase the sensitivity for detection of malignancy. Introduction of molecular testing offers some clinical benefits even in a low resection rate setting, and directly influences surgical decision-making. This study illustrates the importance of the local diagnostic pathway in ensuring appropriate integrated use of molecular testing for best outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Stewardson
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Markus Eszlinger
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jiahui Wu
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Moosa Khalil
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Adrian Box
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Marco Perizzolo
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Zoya Punjwani
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Bjoern Ziehr
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Ratna Sanyal
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Douglas J Demetrick
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Ralf Paschke
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Stewardson P, Eszlinger M, Paschke R. DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Usefulness of genetic testing of fine-needle aspirations for diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Eur J Endocrinol 2022; 187:R41-R52. [PMID: 35900312 DOI: 10.1530/eje-21-1293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Genetic testing is increasingly used to diagnose or rule out thyroid cancer in indeterminate fine-needle aspirations. This review evaluates the usefulness of these methods with considerations of advantages and limitations. DESIGN Given the diagnostic problem associated with the increasing incidental detection of indeterminate thyroid nodules in the context of thyroid cancer overtreatment, we consider the conditions and respective necessary settings for the role of genetic testing to improve presurgical malignancy risk stratification. METHODS We review diagnostic pathway requirements and commercially available molecular tests with their respective advantages and disadvantages and discuss the prerequisites required for local application and implementation including quality assurance for local ultrasound and cytopathology practices. RESULTS Recent improvements in available molecular diagnostic tests have brought high sensitivity and specificity in initial validation studies, but whether these promising results translate to other clinical settings depends on the quality of the local thyroid nodule diagnostic pathway. CONCLUSIONS Genetic testing can meaningfully improve presurgical malignancy risk assessment, but more work is needed to implement and use genetic testing effectively in local settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Stewardson
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Markus Eszlinger
- Departments of Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Halle, Institute of Pathology
| | - Ralf Paschke
- Departments of Medicine, Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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