Have We Got Thy3 Wrong in the UK? A Four-Year Single-Site Analysis of Malignancy Rates in Thy3 Nodules

Abstract

Introduction Thyroid nodules routinely undergo ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA), as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Thyroid Association (BTA). The cytology results are classified using the "Thy" system from Thy1 to Thy5. Intermediate Thy3 FNA results are challenging, as this suggests malignancy is possible, but the relatively low rates of malignancy can make decision-making difficult. Thy3 is further subdivided into Thy3a and Thy3f. BTA recommends further ultrasound with or without FNA cytology for Thy3a nodules and hemithyroidectomy for Th3yf nodules based on a published positive predictive value (PPV) for malignancy of 17% for Thy3a and up to 40% for Thy3f results. We aim to compare the actual malignancy rates of Thy3 nodules in our unit to these figures. Methods A retrospective study was performed looking at the histologically confirmed malignancy rates in Thy3a and Thy3f cytology over four years between January 2016 and December 2019. Results There were 162 separate Thy3 nodules in 156 patients included in this study, of which 60 were classified as Thy3a and 102 as Thy3f. 10% of patients with Thy3a nodules underwent repeat cytology. The histologically confirmed malignancy rate was 33% in Thy3a and 11% in Thy3f lesions. Discussion We found the rates of histologically confirmed malignancy are reversed compared to the published PPVs with a higher rate in Thy3a nodules and a lower rate in Thy3f. This suggests that the surgical decision-making and patient counselling may be based on flawed data in our unit and possibly throughout the UK, making a wider study involving multiple centers desirable.

Keywords: : thyroid nodule; diagnostic test accuracy; fine needle aspiration cytology (fnac); thyroid cancer; thyroid cytology; thyroid histology.

Figure 1. Ultrasound grading of the thyroid lesions of Thy3a and Thy3f nodules

X-axis: ultrasound grading, Y-axis: number of ultrasounds

Figure 2. Histological outcomes following thyroidectomy

X-axis: histological outcome, Y-axis: percentage of thyroid specimens