J. Sebesta et al., Does telomerase activity add to the value of line needle aspirations in evaluating thyroid nodules?, AM J SURG, 181(5), 2001, pp. 420-422
Background: Telomerase replaces DNA sequences that are lost with cell divis
ion. Increased activity has been documented in malignant cells. Fine needle
aspiration (FNA) has a 90% sensitivity for diagnosis of papillary carcinom
as, but a specificity of 52%. This often leads to unnecessary surgery.
Methods: Telomeric repeat amplification protocol assays were performed on F
NA specimens of thyroid nodules in 19 patients. These results were compared
with the surgical pathology using chi-square analysis.
Results: There were 5 malignant and 14 benign nodules. Telomerase activity
was found in 3 of 5 malignant (60%) and 9 of 14 benign (64%): sensitivity w
as 60%, specificity was 36%.
Conclusion: Telomerase assays did not add any additional information to FNA
alone. Inflammatory changes associated with benign and malignant lesions c
an possess telomerase activity independent of the malignant stale. (C) 2001
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