Early diagnosis by FNA cytology should not influence the outcome of differentiated thyroid cancer

Abstract. In oncology, the early cancer detection is recognized as associated with good patient's prognosis. Then, one could expect that differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) undergone fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNA) early have better outcome. Aim of this study was to investigate if DTC prognosis is improved by early FNA diagnosis. DTCs followed-up at our institution were included. Information about initial management of thyroid lesion, FNA, surgery, and postoperative follow-up was collected. Cytologies were classified according to British Thyroid Association (BTA). The final series comprised 219 DTCs, of which 22 (10%) recurred. The length of time between nodule appearance and cancer treatment was significantly (p