In the field of thyroid neoplasms, the most interesting recent change regards the introduction of a new terminology for follicular-patterned thyroid tumors, named Noninvasive Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-like Nuclear Features (NIFTP). This pre-malignant tumor is considered to be the putative precursor of invasive carcinoma. However, given that several issues are still unresolved, the application of ancillary tools, based on omics-techniques, may improve the clinical management of these challenging cases. The present paper highlights the proteomic profiles of a series of NIFTPs submitted to Fine Needle Aspirations (FNAs) and analysed by MALDI-imaging in order to confirm the heterogeneous phenotype of nodules included in the present NIFTP terminology and to underline the necessity of more accurate biomarkers that can be used for their characterization.

Ethical and economic implications in terms of healthcare costs, operative risks, morbidity, as well as the potential need for lifelong hormone replacement therapy, seem to be significant reasons to approach the characterization of NIFTPs using alternative tools such as MALDI-MSI.

在甲状腺肿瘤领域，最近最有趣的变化是为滤泡型甲状腺肿瘤引入了一种新术语，称为具有乳头状核特征的非侵入性甲状腺肿瘤（NIFTP）。该恶性前肿瘤被认为是浸润性癌的假定前体。但是，鉴于仍未解决几个问题，基于组学技术的辅助工具的应用可能会改善这些具有挑战性的病例的临床管理。

从医疗保健成本，手术风险，发病率以及终生激素替代疗法的潜在需求等方面的伦理和经济意义，似乎是使用MALDI-MSI等替代工具表征NIFTP的重要原因。