Abstract
Program Description:
Increase the awareness and cost-effectiveness of molecular alteration testing so that clinicians can consider integrating this into their thyroid practices through didactic presentations and case studies. BRAF and RET/PTC testing through routine FNA for the indeterminate nodule are nearly 100% specific for papillary thyroid cancer and can lead to initial therapeutic thyroidectomy, reducing the need for completion thyroidectomy. Molecular classifiers have a 95% negative predictive value for indeterminate nodules and may have a broad effect on reducing unnecessary diagnostic lobectomies. BRAF positive patients may have a higher rate of central neck recurrence and poorer prognosis leading to tailored surgical management.
Educational Objectives:
1) Evaluate commercially available molecular alteration testing approaches and their cost-effectiveness for diagnosis, tailored management, and prognosis for indeterminate nodules through didactic and case presentations. 2) Interpret the potential of molecular alteration testing to lead to initial therapeutically optimal thyroidectomy for indeterminate nodules potentially reducing the rate of completion thyroidectomy. 3) Recognize the potential of molecular classifier testing to reduce unnecessary diagnostic thyroid lobectomy for indeterminate nodules that are benign.
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