HMGA2 Gene Expression in Fine-needle Aspiration Samples of Thyroid Nodules as a Marker for Preoperative Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer

摘要

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy with globally increasing incidence.1 The most common first symptom of thyroid cancer is a nodule in the thyroid. However, thyroid nodules are frequently found in adults, with only relatively small proportions of them (4% to 5%) being malignant.2'^ The method of choice for preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules is cytologic analysis of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples.4 However, in 10% to 30% of cases, a reliable diagnosis with regard to malignancy cannot be made by cytologic analysis of FNA samples, primarily because it is difficult to distinguish benign from malignant follicular thyroid lesions.5 Most of these patients undergo surgery to have a definitive diagnosis made, although the majority of them have benign thyroid nodules.5