A new diagnostic test being trialled across eight NHS hospitals could transform how thyroid lumps are assessed, potentially sparing hundreds of patients from unnecessary surgery.
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is leading the way with this pioneering research, which is being coordinated by Leonie Wheeldon, a Consultant Biomedical Scientist in Diagnostic Cytopathology. The study, supported by eight hospital sites across the UK, aims to improve the accuracy of diagnosing thyroid lumps.
Currently, thyroid lumps are assessed using a fine needle aspiration (FNA), a straightforward procedure that collects cells for analysis. While most results clearly identify whether a lump is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), about 25% of cases produce results that are inconclusive. This uncertainty can lead to unnecessary surgeries, with up to 75% of these operations later revealing no cancer.
The study will evaluate a new molecular test called Thyroidprint, which analyses the genetic profile of cells collected during FNA. This test provides a risk score to determine whether a lump is low risk (likely benign) or high risk (concerning), helping doctors make more informed decisions. Importantly, the test can be carried out locally, using existing laboratory equipment.
If successful, this innovation could reduce the need for invasive surgeries and the associated risks, improving care for patients and lowering costs for the NHS.
Leonie Wheeldon, Chief Investigator, comments: “This study has the potential to streamline thyroid cancer pathways, significantly reduce the number of unnecessary surgeries for patients, improving their quality of life and reducing costs for the NHS.”
“The ThyroidPrint test is not intended to replace the cytological assessment of the FNA sample. It will complement it. The FNA sample will still be required to look at the cells. If the cytologists categorise these as indeterminate then a ThyroidPrint test will be requested to further risk stratify the lesion.”Initial data from ThyroidPrint studies elsewhere in the world have shown is highly accurate at predicting if the nodule is benign or not.
ThyroidPrint has been developed by GeneproDX, a molecular diagnostics company based in Santiago, Chile. The company has partnered with Biocartis to development the test on the Idylla platform.
Leonie Wheeldon (far left) is pictured with RCHT colleagues, Sarah Martyn, Consultant Sonographer; Gerard Little, Biomedical Scientist; and Mandy Keen, Clinical Imaging Assistant.