[Controversial aspects of verification and classification of thyroid tumors]

20-year experience in the intraoperative study of more than 3000 goiters led the authors to the conclusion that the most correct verification of the pathologic process may be performed only by means of intraoperative stereomorphological and histotopographic examination of the biopsy. In case of nodular hyperplasia of follicular and macropapillary structures the most adequate term is adenomatous goiter. The term borderline thyroid tumor is also suggested although it needs further discussion by both clinicians and morphologists.