Giovanni Tallini1, R Michael Tuttle2, Ronald A Ghossein3. 1. Anatomic Pathology University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy. 2. Department of Endocrinology and. 3. Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021.
Abstract
Context: This review provides historical context to recent developments in the classification of the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC). The evolution of the diagnostic criteria for papillary thyroid carcinoma is described, clarifying the role of molecular analysis and the impact on patient management. Methods: A PubMed search using the terms "follicular variant" and "papillary thyroid carcinoma" covering the years 1960 to 2016 was performed. Additional references were identified through review of the citations of the retrieved articles. Results: The encapsulated/well-demarcated, noninvasive form of FVPTC that occurs annually in 45,000 patients worldwide was thought for 30 years to be a carcinoma. Many studies have shown almost no recurrence in these noninvasive tumors, even in patients treated by surgery alone without radioactive iodine therapy. The categorization of the tumor as outright cancer has led to aggressive forms of treatment, with their side effects, financial costs, and the psychological and social impacts of a cancer diagnosis. Recently, the encapsulated/well-demarcated, noninvasive FVPTC was renamed as noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features. The new terminology lacks the carcinoma label, enabling clinicians to avoid aggressive therapy. Conclusions: By understanding the history of FVPTC, future classification of tumors will be greatly improved.
Context: This review provides historical context to recent developments in the classification of the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC). The evolution of the diagnostic criteria for papillary thyroid carcinoma is described, clarifying the role of molecular analysis and the impact on patient management. Methods: A PubMed search using the terms "follicular variant" and "papillary thyroid carcinoma" covering the years 1960 to 2016 was performed. Additional references were identified through review of the citations of the retrieved articles. Results: The encapsulated/well-demarcated, noninvasive form of FVPTC that occurs annually in 45,000 patients worldwide was thought for 30 years to be a carcinoma. Many studies have shown almost no recurrence in these noninvasive tumors, even in patients treated by surgery alone without radioactive iodine therapy. The categorization of the tumor as outright cancer has led to aggressive forms of treatment, with their side effects, financial costs, and the psychological and social impacts of a cancer diagnosis. Recently, the encapsulated/well-demarcated, noninvasive FVPTC was renamed as noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features. The new terminology lacks the carcinoma label, enabling clinicians to avoid aggressive therapy. Conclusions: By understanding the history of FVPTC, future classification of tumors will be greatly improved.
Authors: Bin Xu; Nada Farhat; Justine A Barletta; Yin P Hung; Dario de Biase; Gian Piero Casadei; Ayse Mine Onenerk; R Michael Tuttle; Benjamin R Roman; Nora Katabi; Vania Nosé; Peter Sadow; Giovanni Tallini; William C Faquin; Ronald Ghossein Journal: Endocrine Date: 2017-12-04 Impact factor: 3.633
Authors: Bin Xu; Giovanni Tallini; Theresa Scognamiglio; Benjamin R Roman; R Michael Tuttle; Ronald A Ghossein Journal: Thyroid Date: 2017-02-24 Impact factor: 6.568
Authors: Bin Xu; Rene Serrette; R Michael Tuttle; Bayan Alzumaili; Ian Ganly; Nora Katabi; Giovanni Tallini; Ronald Ghossein Journal: Thyroid Date: 2019-10-10 Impact factor: 6.568
Authors: Paula Soares; Antónia Afonso Póvoa; Miguel Melo; João Vinagre; Valdemar Máximo; Catarina Eloy; José Manuel Cameselle-Teijeiro; Manuel Sobrinho-Simões Journal: Endocr Pathol Date: 2021-03-02 Impact factor: 3.943