The significance of FNAC in diagnosing differentiated thyroid cancer and the discrepancy between theory and practice - a multi-centre study.

 After non-invasive diagnostic modalities high risk thyroid nodules are investigated with fine needle aspiration cytology in order to find the right surgical strategy for suspected malignancies. Despite the clear recommendation by the European and the American associations (ETA, ATA) its clinical value is doubted and its importance in clinical practice not fully clarified. A multicentric study of 119 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer operated on in 24 surgical departments was conducted. The aim was not only to evaluate the use of FNAC as a diagnostic tool, but also to investigate its diagnostic validity and compare it with that of other, non-invasive diagnostic methods. FNAC was u…