Recent Developments in the Pathology of Thyroid Cancer.

The histopathological features of thyroid cancers can be used to risk stratify patients, allowing prognostication and treatment decisions. A detailed accurate histological assessment by experienced pathologists working within a multidisciplinary context is crucial. Experience is also essential for interpretation of preoperative thyroid cytology specimens, which can be challenging. There is now more international harmonisation of numerical reporting systems for thyroid cytology. Understanding of the molecular basis of thyroid cancer has increased dramatically in recent years. Preoperative molecular pathology testing, when available, can refine cytological diagnosis to rule in or out for surgery, as well as assisting prognostication and enabling targeted treatment for thyroid tumours.