Thyroid nodules are common. It is estimated that up to 60% of our population may harbour thyroid nodules. The majority of nodules are not symptomatic and may never come to light. For patients who have been diagnosed with nodules, this may become a source of anxiety.
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
Dr Thomas Ho
Senior Consultant Endocrine Surgeon
Thyroid Cancer Specialist
MBBS(Sydney), MMed(Surg), AFRCS(Ireland), FRCS(Edinburgh), FAMS(General Surgery)
FNAB – The fine art of diagnosing thyroid nodules
Thyroid ultrasound
A high-resolution ultrasound is necessary for detecting a thyroid nodule unless it is easily visible and palpable in the neck. The ultrasound is also accurate in assessing for features of malignancy, otherwise known as suspicious features. These include a hypoechoic taller-than-wide nodule, irregular margins, increased intra-nodular vascularity and the presence of microcalcifications.
For some patients, serial ultrasound examinations over a period of months to years may be ordered. This is designed to detect subtle changes in the nodules which may be evident over time, and to pick them up early. Ultimately, an early cancer has the best chance of cure and survival, as with any other cancers in our body.
Occasionally, patients are referred after undertaking an MRI, CT or PET scan which detected an incidental thyroid nodule. An ultrasound is still the preferred imaging modality to enable a more accurate assessment of the thyroid gland.
Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)
The next step in the evaluation process is to obtain a sample from the nodule for examination under the microscope. In medical terms, this sample can be in the form of a histology or cytology. Histology involves removing a portion of the thyroid tissue while cytology relies on a microscopic sample obtained via suction into a needle (FNAB).
A histology sample generally involves some form of anaesthesia as the process can be quite painful. It is also done in a clean environment such as an operating theatre. The cytology sample on the other hand, involves sticking a fine needle into the nodule without the need for anaesthesia. Much like taking a blood sample from the arm, the process of FNAB is very quick and the discomfort is usually tolerable and short-lived.
Unlike ordinary biopsies, there is no special preparation needed for an FNAB so it can be performed as part of the consultation with a thyroid specialist. This is a huge advantage as there are no delays such as booking a separate appointment at a separate medical facility. The whole procedure is completed in a matter of minutes and the patient can go home. A repeat consultation is scheduled in two to three days to review the results of the FNAB.
Interpreting the FNAB
While the FNAB is generally very reliable and safe, sometimes a cancer may be missed. This is known as the false negative rate and can be as high as 20%. A higher rate is generally expected when the nodule is large, when the biopsy technique is poor or when the aspirate is mainly blood or cystic fluid.
The cytology is classified as one of six possible results on a scale (Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytology). Bethesda category 5 or 6 is associated with a high likelihood of papillary thyroid cancer and surgery is generally indicated. Bethesda category 3 or 4 are indeterminate and reflects the limitation of the cytology assessment. As such, a discussion with the thyroid surgeon is necessary to determine the next course of action. This may be a repeat FNAB at a later date or a diagnostic lobectomy to gain a definitive diagnosis.
Cost of an FNAB
An FNAB procedure has a surgical code. Thus, the cost can be covered by either your private health insurance or claimed through your Medisave account. Dr Ho has been teaching and performing ultrasound guided FNAB of the thyroid for over 10 years so you can be assured of the utmost expertise and professionalism. As the procedure is performed at the clinic during the consultation, there is almost no down-time to getting your thyroid nodule diagnosed. In addition, the costs are significantly reduced compared to the same procedure being performed in the radiology centre of a hospital.
Routine application of FNAB is a cost-effective evaluation of thyroid nodules. It has resulted in a decline in rates of unnecessary surgical treatment of thyroid nodules and increased the pick-up rates of thyroid cancer.
The Specialist Behind Your Care
Dr Thomas Ho
Senior Consultant General Surgeon
20+ Years of Clinical Experience
MBBS(Sydney), MMed(Surg), AFRCS(Ireland), FRCS(Edinburgh), FAMS(General Surgery), FSSO(USA)
Dr. Thomas Ho is a distinguished surgeon well known for his expertise in Cancer Surgery, especially in the field of Head and Neck cancers as well as Abdominal and Digestive cancers. In 2009 he was awarded a MOH scholarship and completed a Surgical Oncology Fellowship in Canada, becoming one of only a handful of surgeons in Singapore with this recognition.
Prior to private practice, Dr. Ho founded the Head and Neck Surgery and Surgical Oncology service at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Dr. Ho is experienced in laparoscopic (keyhole) and robotic-assisted surgery, which he routinely employs in the treatment of thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, hernias, gallbladder diseases, adrenal and spleen disorders.
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