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A '''waffle diagnosis''', also '''waffle category''', is something used to say "I don't know". | A '''waffle diagnosis''', also '''waffle category''', is something used to say "I don't know"; it is a type of equivocation. | ||
In most cases it can be understood/used as a synonym for ''suspicious for malignancy''. | |||
In some classifications, it may be used when the pathologist cannot decide whether something is benign ''or'' suspicious for malignant<ref name=pmid19373907>{{cite journal |author=Layfield LJ, Morton MJ, Cramer HM, Hirschowitz S |title=Implications of the proposed thyroid fine-needle aspiration category of "follicular lesion of undetermined significance": A five-year multi-institutional analysis |journal=Diagn. Cytopathol. |volume=37 |issue=10 |pages=710–4 |year=2009 |month=October |pmid=19373907 |doi=10.1002/dc.21093 |url=}}</ref> ''or'' dysplastic. | |||
==Points to remember== | ==Points to remember== | ||
# These diagnoses essentially say "I don't know"/"I cannot call it benign & I cannot call it | # These diagnoses essentially say "I don't know"/"I cannot call it benign & I cannot call it malignant". | ||
# Their use should be minimized. | # Their use should be minimized. | ||
#* The use of these diagnoses are often used as quality measures. | #* The use of these diagnoses are often used as [[quality]] measures. | ||
#** Pathologists that use 'em too often aren't doing a good job. | #** Pathologists that use 'em too often aren't doing a good job. | ||
#** Good pathologists use 'em when the findings are ambiguous after a diligent work-up. | |||
# Generally, they are not considered to have a distinct pathobiology.<ref name=pmid17378841>{{cite journal |author=Flury SC, Galgano MT, Mills SE, Smolkin ME, Theodorescu D |title=Atypical small acinar proliferation: biopsy artefact or distinct pathological entity |journal=BJU International |volume=99 |issue=4 |pages=780-5 |year=2007 |month=January |pmid= 17378841 |doi= |url=http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118508438/abstract}}</ref> | # Generally, they are not considered to have a distinct pathobiology.<ref name=pmid17378841>{{cite journal |author=Flury SC, Galgano MT, Mills SE, Smolkin ME, Theodorescu D |title=Atypical small acinar proliferation: biopsy artefact or distinct pathological entity |journal=BJU International |volume=99 |issue=4 |pages=780-5 |year=2007 |month=January |pmid= 17378841 |doi= |url=http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118508438/abstract}}</ref> | ||
==Examples== | ==Examples== | ||
===Cytopathology=== | ===Cytopathology=== | ||
*Atypical squamous cells of | *[[Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance]] (ASCUS) - [[gynecologic cytopathology]]. | ||
*Atypical glandular cells | *[[Atypical glandular cells]] (AGC) - [[gynecologic cytopathology]]. | ||
*Follicular lesion of | *[[Follicular lesion of undetermined significance]] (FLUS) - [[thyroid cytopathology]]. | ||
===Surgical pathology=== | ===Surgical pathology=== | ||
*Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) - [[prostate gland]] pathology. | *[[Atypical small acinar proliferation]] (ASAP) - [[prostate gland]] pathology. | ||
*Indefinite for dysplasia - [[ | *[[Atypical intraductal proliferation]] - [[prostate gland]] pathology. | ||
*Smooth muscle tumour of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) - [[ | *[[Indefinite for dysplasia]] - [[gastrointestinal pathology]]. | ||
*[[Smooth muscle tumour of uncertain malignant potential]] (STUMP) - [[gynecologic pathology]]. | |||
*[[Prostatic stromal tumour of uncertain malignant potential]] (STUMP) - [[genitourinary pathology]] | |||
==See also== | |||
*[[Diagnosis]]. | |||
*[[Spot diagnosis]]. | |||
*[[Non-small cell lung carcinoma]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist| | {{Reflist|2}} | ||
[[Category:Cytopathology]] | [[Category:Cytopathology]] |
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