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How to define follicular thyroid carcinoma?

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Abstract

The appropriate diagnosis of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) still depends on its histological discrimination from follicular adenoma (including the distinction of benign from malignant oncocytic variants), papillary thyroid carcinoma (particularly from the follicular variants) and poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The use of immunohistochemical markers contributed only marginally to better defining FTC. The introduction of the micro array technique, however, may offer the possibility of getting a better insight into the natural history, as well as predicting the clinical course, of a given thyroid nodule. This review attempts to recapitulate common standards in the diagnosis of FTC, to summarise current molecular data available to distinguish FTC from other benign and malignant tumours and, finally, to outline future perspectives to define FTC on its specific genetic features.

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  1. Institute of Pathology, University of Essen Medical School, Member of the West German Cancer Center Essen (WTZE), Hufelandstraβe 55, D-45122, Essen, Germany

    Kurt Werner Schmid

  2. Osancor Biotech Inc, Watford, Herts, WD17 3BY, UK

    Nadir Rashad Farid

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Schmid, K.W., Farid, N.R. How to define follicular thyroid carcinoma?. Virchows Arch 448, 385–393 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-006-0162-0

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