Lack of Association of B-type Raf Kinase V600E Mutation with High-risk Tumor Features and Adverse Outcome in Conventional and Follicular Variants of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Somatic B-type Raf kinase (BRAF) V600E mutation in exon 15 was frequently found in high frequencies associated with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). The phenotype of these cancers expressed aggressive clinical and pathological features. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of BRAF V600E mutation among conventional and follicular variants of PTC and its association with aggressive tumor factors and outcome.

STUDY DESIGN: Patients who were operated and received further treatment for PTC during 2012 were included in the study. BRAF V600E mutation analysis was done by extracting genomic DNA from tumor tissue.

RESULTS: Of the 59 patients included in the study, 51% harbored BRAF V600E mutation, but the mutation status was not associated with aggressive tumor factors and adverse outcome.

CONCLUSION: BRAF V600E mutation was not significant predictor of aggressive tumor behavior in conventional and follicular variants of PTC.