Table 3.
Association of Initial Bethesda Classification with Lower-, Intermediate-, and Higher-Risk Thyroid Cancers and Adverse Histopathologic Findings
| Primary Bethesda classification: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All nodules | AUS | SUSP | M | FN | |
| Risk stratification: | |||||
| Lower-risk cancer | 548 (43%) | 92 (71%) | 259 (63%) | 104 (21%)a | 93 (39%) |
| Intermediate-risk cancer | 528 (41%) | 33 (25%) | 116 (28%) | 264 (52%)a | 115 (48%) |
| Higher-risk cancer | 209 (16%) | 5 (4%) | 35 (9%) | 136 (27%)a | 33 (14%) |
| Histologic features: | |||||
| Lymph node metastasis | 201 (16%) | 4 (3%) | 33 (8%) | 158 (31%)a | 6 (3%) |
| Lymphovascular invasion | 266 (21%) | 8 (6%) | 45 (11%) | 162 (32%)a | 51 (21%) |
| + Microscopic margin | 166 (13%) | 9 (7%) | 40 (10%) | 92 (18%)a | 25 (10%) |
| Extrathyroidal extension | 227 (18%) | 10 (8%) | 36 (9%) | 145 (29%)a | 36 (15%) |
| Multifocality ≥1 cm | 152 (12%) | 16 (12%) | 44 (11%) | 78 (15%) | 14 (6%) |
| Composite endpointb | 54 (4%) | 1 (1%) | 11 (3%) | 36 (7%)a | 6 (3%) |
AUS, SUSP, and M cohorts demonstrate a continuum of increasing risk, while FN imparts unique attributes.
a
p < 0.01 for differences and trend among AUS, SUSP, and M cohorts.
b
Composite endpoint inclusive of local recurrence, distant metastases, or death.