Clinical Outcomes for “Suspicious” Category in Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: Patient's Sex and Nodule Size Are Possible Predictors of Malignancy

Abstract Context.—Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is recommended as an initial screening tool for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Approximately 10% of thyroid FNA diagnoses are “suspicious for neoplasm,” warranting surgical resection. Objectives.—To examine the role of a patient's age, sex, size of nodule, and morphologic features as possible predictors of malignancy in patients with cytologic diagnosis of “suspicious for neoplasm.” Design.—Cytopathology slides and reports of 402 consecutive thyroid FNAs from 2000–2005 interpreted as “suspicious” were reviewed. Of these, 180 cases that had subsequent surgical resection were selected. Results.—Of the 108 cases suspicious for follicular neoplasm on cytologic evaluation, histologic follow-up showed malignancy in 26 (24%). Of the 37 cases suspicious for Hurthle cell neoplasm, 15 (41%) had malignancy. Of the 35 cases suspicious for malignancy, 29 had malignant histologic diagnoses. Among cases with cytologic diagnoses of “suspicious for follicular or Hurthle ce...