Noninvasive Follicular Tumor With Papillary-like Nuclear Features: A Practice Changer in Thyroid Pathology

Abstract

Context.— This article presents a review of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP), including its separation from follicular variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, its evolution, and current definition and pathologic characteristics. Objectives.— To emphasize the understanding of the concept of NIFTP as a neoplasm based on molecular analyses, its critical histopathologic features, the microscopic findings that exclude the diagnosis, and the importance of complete sectioning of the tumor to exclude neoplasms that should be diagnosed as carcinomas. Important distinctions are discussed including difficulties with literature that shows NIFTP with metastases, inadequacy of sectioning of the tumor, and lack of descriptive histology of the surrounding thyroid and possible other lesions. Data Sources.— Review of articles in the English literature on NIFTP, as well as comparative papers showing differences and distinctions between this entity and papillary carcinomas. Conclusions.— This article concludes that with the current state of knowledge on NIFTP with studies from all over the world, this entity is a low-risk neoplasm that, when diagnosed using appropriate criteria, should not be associated with metastatic or recurrent disease, at least on intermediate length of follow-up. This review includes discussion of multifocal NIFTP, as well as the recently defined micro-NIFTP (1 cm or less), and describes features of the tumor that remain to be studied and correlated with outcome: oncocytic variants of NIFTP, percentage of allowable solid areas of growth in the lesions, and definitions of true neoplastic papillae and hyperplastic ones and how these should influence the diagnosis of NIFTP.