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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
03:55
Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Published on: June 9, 2023
528
Uni- and Multivariate Analyses of Cancer Risk in Cytologically Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Single-Center
Enrico Battistella1, Marica Mirabella1, Luca Pomba1
1Endocrine Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padua, Italy.
Cancers
|March 13, 2024
Summary
Indeterminate thyroid nodules (TIR3A/3B) pose a significant risk of malignancy. Surgical intervention is recommended for TIR3A and mandatory for TIR3B nodules to ensure accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Nodular thyroid pathology is common, with a substantial proportion presenting as cytologically indeterminate (TIR3A/3B).
- Existing literature suggests a 5-15% malignancy risk for TIR3A and 15-30% for TIR3B, potentially underestimated in practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze clinical risk factors and preoperative serum markers in patients with indeterminate nodular thyroid disease.
- To determine the malignancy risk and guide surgical management for TIR3A and TIR3B thyroid nodules.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 291 patients who underwent surgery for indeterminate nodular thyroid disease.
- Univariate and multivariate analyses of clinical characteristics, comorbidities, ultrasonographic features, and histological reports.
- Statistical comparison between benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease groups using Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests.
Main Results:
- A total of 134 malignant neoplasms (46%) were identified, with 35% in the TIR3A group and 59% in the TIR3B group.
- Thyroiditis was a statistically significant factor associated with malignancy in TIR3A nodules (p=0.0009).
- Ultrasound risk stratification was significant for predicting malignancy in both TIR3A (p=0.0004) and TIR3B (p<0.0001) nodules.
Conclusions:
- Surgical treatment should always be considered for nodular thyroid pathology with indeterminate cytology TIR3A.
- Surgery is mandatory for indeterminate thyroid nodules classified as TIR3B due to a high malignancy rate.
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