Follicular thyroid cancer and Hürthle cell carcinoma: challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management

Abstract

Follicular thyroid cancer is the second most common differentiated thyroid cancer histological type and has been overshadowed by its more common counterpart-papillary thyroid cancer-despite its unique biological behaviour and less favourable outcomes. In this Review, we comprehensively review the literature on follicular thyroid cancer to provide an evidence-based guide to the management of these tumours, to highlight the lack of evidence behind guideline recommendations, and to identify changes and challenges over the past decades in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. We highlight that correct identification of cancer in indeterminate cytological samples is challenging and ultrasonographic features can be misleading. Despite certain unique aspects of follicular thyroid cancer presentation and prognosis, no specific recommendations exist for follicular thyroid cancer and Hürthle cell carcinoma in evidence-based guidelines. Efforts should be made to stimulate additional research in this field.