[Galectin-3 immunodetection in thyroid fine-needle aspirates: technical procedure and results]

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of thyroid nodules is an excellent diagnostic tool. However, in about 20% cases of the so-called undeterminate lesions, cytological findings are inconclusive as distinction between benign from malignant lesions is difficult. Less than 20% of such undeterminate lesions will be malignant after histological diagnosis. Several molecular markers of thyroid malignancy are under investigation, among them Galectin-3. Here we present a study of this marker performed on fine-needle aspiration samples including description of an easy to implement technical procedure.