Diagnostic value of galectin‐3 as a marker for malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions

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Abstract
Background. The determination of malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions is based on postoperative histologic findings. Therefore, affected patients are referred for surgery, although only 20% will have a final diagnosis of malignancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of galectin-3 as a marker of malignancy in these lesions. Methods. Fifty-four tissue specimens of follicular patterned thyroid lesions were immunohistochemically stained for galectin-3. Area and intensity scores were recorded. Results. Significant differences were found between the benign and malignant lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values of galectin-3 staining were 82%, 68%, 75%, and 77%, respectively (p = .0002). Significant differences were also found between the subgroups of benign and malignant lesions (p ≤ .05). Conclusions. Galectin-3 staining is highly sensitive for malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions. Diagnostic problems may arise in the presence of Hürthle cell proliferation or minimally invasive follicular carcinoma. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 26: 960–966, 2004