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Comment & Response
August 2016

Ramifications of New Terminology for Encapsulated Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Author Affiliations
  • 1Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit in Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • 2Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
JAMA Oncol. 2016;2(8):1097. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2016.2208

To the Editor We read with interest the article by Nikiforov et al1 suggesting a nomenclature revision for encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer (EFVPTC). Given the indolence of these tumors, the authors proposed a different terminology: noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). By removing the word cancer, the authors hope to reduce unnecessary postthyroidectomy treatments (eg, radioactive iodine), to reduce the intensity of follow-up, and improve patients’ emotional well-being. Removing cancer terminology also entails a reclassification of these tumors from malignant to benign and, therefore, a foreseeable change in the accuracy of preoperative diagnostic tests, particularly the accuracy of molecular testing for indeterminate cytological subtypes to predict thyroid cancer.

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