Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier

The Afirma test helps clinicians personalize thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions for their patients with thyroid nodules. 

For Providers For Patients
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What is the Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier?

Afirma GSC by Veracyte was developed by combining whole-transcriptome-derived sequencing with advanced machine learning technology.

This approach allows the test to identify whether an indeterminate thyroid nodule is benign or suspicious and provide variant/fusion information for suspicious nodules, helping clinicians make appropriate treatment decisions.

Inherited Risk Assessment
Screening and Risk Assessment
Diagnosis
Prognosis
Treatment Guidance
Recurrence Monitoring

REAL-WORLD PERFORMANCE

Conclusively rule out surgery and confidently guide treatment

>400K

Patients Afirma has helped to avoid unnecessary surgery or personalize treatment plans1

96%

Negative predictive value to provide a result you can trust2 

593

Genes included in the Xpression Atlas component, which is the largest expressed thyroid gene and fusion panel available3 

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Access our Afirma portals

Afirma provider ordering portal

Order the Afirma test and view reports.

Have questions about the ordering process? Contact us today.

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Afirma patient payment portal

Pay your Afirma Thyroid bill using our secure online portal.

Have questions about your bill or payment? Contact us today.

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Insights into the Afirma test

Afirma GSC can seem like a complex test. Listen as this video explains what the test is and why it is a valuable tool to help guide treatment for patients with thyroid nodules. 

I have this unique tool (Afirma GSC) that I can apply on thyroid nodules. The genetic analysis gives us some extra information about the potential of these nodules to be benign with a very high degree of certainty.

Those that fall under the Afirma Benign category are not being sent to surgery because we can conclude with a high degree of confidence that they are indeed benign nodules. Hence, I have cut down the costs that are associated with surgery and I have cut down the potential risks that the patient would be exposed to from the surgery.”4

Kishore Lakshman, M.D., MPH, ECNU, FACE
 Director at the Prima-CARE Thyroid Center 

The Afirma test saved me from a big change in my life and the joy of what I have gotten to keep is to continue having music in my life, to continue teaching at the highest level I can, which is to be able to use my voice when I’m teaching. The Afirma test was like a safety net and I can go on with my life.”4

Patient Testimonial

The thyroid nodule and cancer landscape

Statistics

Each year in the United States, approximately 650K FNA biopsies are performed for thyroid nodules.1

  • Thyroid nodules and cancer are 3 times more common in women than men.5
  • Up to ~147K of biopsies cannot be clearly diagnosed as benign or cancer, known as indeterminate.1
  • In 2026, there will be an estimated 45,240 new cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed in the US.6 

Challenges

Studies have shown that up to 80% of patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules who undergo surgery without molecular testing are found to be benign after surgery.2

When thyroid cancer is found, patients may receive different treatments or surgeries based on several factors, including the cancer type and how likely it is to be aggressive.

Our Approach

Afirma GSC helps personalize treatment decisions

The Afirma test uses a two-step approach to help clinicians and their patients. First, it rules out cancer by finding benign nodules. Second, it provides personalized molecular information from variants and fusions for suspicious nodules. 

Take the next step and learn more about Afirma GSC.

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References

  1. Afirma patients tested from inception through December 31, 2025.
  2. Patel KN, et al. JAMA Surg. 2018. DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.1153
  3. Angell TE, et al. Thyroid. 2019. DOI: 10.1089/thy.2018.0726
  4. Veracyte, Inc. Company data on file. Updated March 2026.
  5. Rahbari, et al. Future Oncol. 2010. DOI: 10.2217/fon.10.127
  6. American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures. 2026.

Disclaimers

Afirma testing is available in the United States as part of Veracyte’s CLIA-validated laboratory developed test (LDT) service, and FDA clearance is not required.

Talk to your doctor about whether Veracyte tests might be right for you.