Reclassification as non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP): A retrospective review in a single institution and outcome study

Abstract

Background/Aim: Since non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm (NIFTP) was first defined in 2016, past overtreatment status, impact for the risk of malignancy, and incidence of NIFTP have been the subject of study. Retrospective cohort studies have been published and present widely varying results in different geographic regions. This study aimed to reclassify follicular variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) cases diagnosed in a single center using the defined stringent NIFTP criteria and to determine incidence, clinicopathological features, and survival of NIFTP cases. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a single center and consisted of patients with diagnosed follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma in thyroidectomy/thyroid lobectomy specimens between 2014 and 2021. Reports of FVPTC cases between 2014 and 2018 were evaluated by two experienced pathologists to identify candidates for NIFTP. Archived glass slides of the potential NIFTP cases were retrieved and reviewed independently by two pathologists. Results: Between 2014 and 2021, 84 patients who underwent surgery were diagnosed with FVPTC. Reports of 49 patients diagnosed before 2018 were re-evaluated by two pathologists, and 20 cases were identified as candidates for NIFTP. After blind evaluation of pathology slides, five cases (10%) were diagnosed as NIFTP according to the criteria established before 2016, and two cases between 2016 and August 2018 were still diagnosed as NIFTP. Fourteen patients were diagnosed with NIFTP between 2014 and 2021. The median follow-up of the NIFTP patients was 4.3 years, and no recurrence and/or metastasis was reported. Conclusion: NIFTP represents 7.6% of the papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cases in our cohort, which is higher than the incidence rate in our country. The follow-up results of our cases were uneventful considering the indolent nature of NIFTP, but we had high thyroidectomy rates. Due to the concomitant PTC, multifocality, and uncertainties in the follow-up routine, we think it would be appropriate for these patients to remain in active follow-up.