Sung M. Kim MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Charles M. Intenzo MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

It has been reported that BRAF mutation is the most common in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). It correlates strongly with high-risk clinicopathological characteristics, tumor recurrence and reduced sensitivity of radioiodine therapy, due to reduced expression of sodiumiodine symporter and lost capacity of iodine uptake. The study evaluates the association between the presence of BRAF mutation in the PTC, high-risk clinical parameters , and the presence of stunned thyroid.

A total of 30 thyroid cancer patients who had a radioiodine treatment for PTC were retrospectively reviewed to see if the presence of BRAF gene mutation in the PTC patients and to see correlation between BRAF gene mutation and clinical parameters of high-risks clinicopathological parameters in PTC such as age, sex, tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, nodal and distant metastases (TNM staging).

Twenty-one patients had a positive BRAF gene mutation (group= A) and 9 patients had a negative gene mutation (group=B). Age and sex distributions between the two groups are similar, with no statistical significance. However, group A has a higher frequency of T3a, T4a, N1b, M1 and extranodal spread. There are 4 (19%) stunned thyroid in group A and 1(11%) in group B; no statistically significance.

PTC patients with BRAF gene mutation positive has a higher grade of PTC than those patients without a gene mutation. There is no association between presence of BRAF gene positive and presence of stunned thyroid. The presence of gene mutation would be important parameter for management of PTC patients.

Presence of BRAF gene mutaion is one of important clinicopathological parameters for management of papillary thyroid cancer patients in the future. Its presence indicates a higher grade of PTC that  will behave aggressively.

Kim, S, Intenzo, C, Association between the Presence of Genetic BRAF Mutation and Clinicopatholical Characteristics in the Papillary Thyroid Cancer Patients.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14013787.html