Cytomorphological Features of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Variants: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignancy of the thyroid gland. It exhibits significant histological and cytological heterogeneity, with various recognized variants. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of cytological findings in different variants of PTC A systematic literature search was conducted in major databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane, using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant studies that reported cytological findings of PTC variants were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed for each selected study. The results highlighted the morphological features of various PTC variants, including classical, follicular, tall cell, oncocytic, diffuse sclerosing, cribriform etc. Cytological features unique to each variant were analyzed, including architectural patterns and specific nuclear characteristics. In conclusion, this systematic review provides a comprehensive analysis of cytological findings in different variants of PTC. The distinct cytological features can aid in the accurate diagnosis and classification of PTC variants, facilitating appropriate management and treatment decisions. Further research and validation of these findings are warranted to enhance the understanding and clinical utility of such cytological assessment.