FIG. 4.

Risk of structural disease recurrence in patients without structurally identifiable disease after initial therapy. The risk of structural disease recurrence associated with selected clinico-pathological features are shown as a continuum of risk with percentages (ranges, approximate values) presented to reflect our best estimates based on the published literature reviewed in the text. In the left hand column, the three-tiered risk system proposed as the Modified Initial Risk Stratification System is also presented to demonstrate how the continuum of risk estimates informed our modifications of the 2009 ATA Initial Risk System (see Recommendation 48). *While analysis of BRAF and/or TERT status is not routinely recommended for initial risk stratification, we have included these findings to assist clinicians in proper risk stratification in cases where this information is available. FTC, follicular thyroid cancer; FV, follicular variant; LN, lymph node; PTMC, papillary thyroid microcarcinoma; PTC, papillary thyroid cancer.