The Use of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology in Korea: A Nationwide Multicenter Survey by the Korean Society of Endocrine Pathologists.
- Author:
Mimi KIM
1
;
Hyo Jin PARK
;
Hye Sook MIN
;
Hyeong Ju KWON
;
Chan Kwon JUNG
;
Seoung Wan CHAE
;
Hyun Ju YOO
;
Yoo Duk CHOI
;
Mi Ja LEE
;
Jeong Ja KWAK
;
Dong Eun SONG
;
Dong Hoon KIM
;
Hye Kyung LEE
;
Ji Yeon KIM
;
Sook Hee HONG
;
Jang Sihn SOHN
;
Hyun Seung LEE
;
So Yeon PARK
;
Soon Won HONG
;
Mi Kyung SHIN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Multicenter Study ; Original Article
- Keywords: Thyroid; Biopsy, Fine-needle; Bethesda system; Cytopathology; Korea
- MeSH: Academies and Institutes; Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Data Collection; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Korea*; Thyroid Gland*; Thyroid Nodule
- From:Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2017;51(4):410-417
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) has standardized the reporting of thyroid cytology specimens. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the nationwide usage of TBSRTC and assess the malignancy rates in each category of TBSRTC in Korea. METHODS: Questionnaire surveys were used for data collection on the fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules at 74 institutes in 2012. The incidences and follow-up malignancy rates of each category diagnosed from January to December, 2011, in each institute were also collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty out of 74 institutes answering the surveys reported the results of thyroid FNA in accordance with TBSRTC. The average malignancy rates for resected cases in 15 institutes were as follows: nondiagnostic, 45.6%; benign, 16.5%; atypical of undetermined significance, 68.8%; suspicious for follicular neoplasm (SFN), 30.2%; suspicious for malignancy, 97.5%; malignancy, 99.7%. CONCLUSIONS: More than 80% of Korean institutes were using TBSRTC as of 2012. All malignancy rates other than the SFN and malignancy categories were higher than those reported by other countries. Therefore, the guidelines for treating patients with thyroid nodules in Korea should be revisited based on the malignancy rates reported in this study.