Clonality in Thyroid Nodules: The Hyperplasia-Neoplasia Sequence

The evaluation of clonality in nodular proliferations of the thyroid gland has identified a large proportion of monoclonal nodules even in the setting of nonendemic nodular goiter The literature on this topic is reviewed and an attempt is made to explain the available data. In the absence of a clear understanding of the biological impact and potential of these molecular events, a recommendation is made for continued use of current histomorphologic nomenclature when diagnosing such thyroid lesions in the day-to-day practice of surgical pathology.