Difference between revisions of "Waffle diagnosis"

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A '''waffle diagnosis''', also '''waffle category''', is something used to say "I don't know"; it is a type of equivocation.   
A '''waffle diagnosis''', also '''waffle category''', is something used to say "I don't know"; it is a type of equivocation.   


It is usually used when a 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>  
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.


For some specimen types, it can be understood/used as a synonym for ''suspicious for malignancy''.


==Points to remember==
==Points to remember==
# These diagnoses essentially say "I don't know"/"I cannot call it benign & I cannot call it suspicious".
# 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.
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===Surgical pathology===
===Surgical pathology===
*[[Atypical small acinar proliferation]] (ASAP) - [[prostate gland]] pathology.
*[[Atypical small acinar proliferation]] (ASAP) - [[prostate gland]] pathology.
*[[Atypical intraductal proliferation]] - [[prostate gland]] pathology.
*[[Indefinite for dysplasia]] - [[gastrointestinal pathology]].
*[[Indefinite for dysplasia]] - [[gastrointestinal pathology]].
*[[Smooth muscle tumour of uncertain malignant potential]] (STUMP) - [[gynecologic pathology]].
*[[Smooth muscle tumour of uncertain malignant potential]] (STUMP) - [[gynecologic pathology]].
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