Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP): Prevalence, cyto-histo correlation, and molecular and ultrasonographic profile

Abstract

Non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary like nuclear features (NIFTP) was introduced in 2017 WHO Classification of Endocrine Tumors. In this study, we aim to characterize the molecular and ultrasonographic profiles of NIFTP and evaluate the performance of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. Consecutive thyroid resections at our institution between 2018 and 2022 were collected; 1282 thyroid resections were identified. NIFTP was diagnosed in 109 cases (prevalence: 8.5 %); 65 (60 %) were the targeted nodules with an average size of 2.5 cm. Among these 65 targeted, 27 had Afirma testing results, 44 had Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) scores, and 53 had FNA results. Of the 27 cases with Afirma reports, 23 were labeled “suspicious”, including 5 with RAS-related mutations (risk of malignancy (ROM) 75 %) and 17 without a reportable genetic alternation (ROM 50 %). 60 % cases with TIRADS scores were classified as TIRADS 4, while 16 % were classified as TIRADS 5. The majority of the 53 FNA cases had a diagnosis of AUS/FLUS (53.7 %) or FN (31.5 %). One additional targeted nodule with a diagnosis of NIFTP had BRAFV600E mutation and was reclassified as papillary thyroid carcinoma. In summary, the majority of the targeted NIFTPs had “suspicious” Afirma testing results (85 %), TIRADS 4 scores (60 %) and either AUS/FLUS (53.7 %) or FN (31.5 %) FNA results. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology for diagnosing NIFTP were 90 % and 57 %, respectively, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 16 % and negative predictive value of 98 %.