Volume 36, Issue 4 pp. 307-317
REVIEW

The evolving role of interventional cytopathology from thyroid FNA to NGS: Lessons learned at Federico II University of Naples

Elena Vigliar

Elena Vigliar

Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

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Anna Maria Carillo

Anna Maria Carillo

Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

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Mariantonia Nacchio

Mariantonia Nacchio

Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

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Domenico Cozzolino

Domenico Cozzolino

Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

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Gennaro Acanfora

Gennaro Acanfora

Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

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Maria Salatiello

Maria Salatiello

Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

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Pasquale Pisapia

Pasquale Pisapia

Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

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Umberto Malapelle

Umberto Malapelle

Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

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Giancarlo Troncone

Corresponding Author

Giancarlo Troncone

Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

Correspondence

Giancarlo Troncone, Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.

Email: [email protected]

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Claudio Bellevicine

Claudio Bellevicine

Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

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First published: 09 July 2024
Citations: 3

Abstract

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) guided by ultrasound (US) has emerged as a highly precise diagnostic method for managing thyroid nodules, significantly diminishing unnecessary surgeries. The effectiveness of US-guided FNA is high when a single specialist performs the FNA procedure and the microscopy. This paradigm has paved the way for the evolution of interventional cytopathology, a specialist with a pivotal role in the preoperative diagnostic process, encompassing patient history review, clinical examination, FNA execution under US guidance, preparation, and microscopic interpretation of cytological samples. As the landscape of precision medicine unfolds, molecular testing assumes greater importance in thyroid cytopathology, particularly in refining the risk of malignancy for indeterminate nodules. The updated Bethesda classification system underscores the clinical significance of molecular tests, emphasizing their role in refining diagnostic accuracy. With this evolving landscape, interventional cytopathologists must adapt by acquiring expertise in molecular technologies and addressing ongoing challenges in workflow harmonization and optimization. This paper delves into our decade-long experience as interventional cytopathologists, focusing on recent endeavours to ensure adequate samples not only for microscopic diagnosis but also for molecular testing. Additionally, here we review the challenges of integrating next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology into clinical practice, highlighting the importance of integrating clinically meaningful molecular data into comprehensive molecular cytology reports.

Graphical Abstract

Interventional cytopathologist procedure from the FNA to the molecular result.

This paper delves into decade-long experience of interventional cytopathologists focusing on recent endeavours to ensure adequate samples not only for microscopic diagnosis but also for molecular testing, integrating next-generation sequencing technology into clinical practice.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.

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