Genetic and Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in the Chinese Population: High <i>BRAF</i> Mutation Allele Frequency, Multiple Driver Gene Mutations, and <i>RET</i> Fusion May Indicate More Advanced TN Stage.
Zhihong Wang, Peng Tang, Surong Hua, Jun Gao, Bin Zhang, Hua Wan, Qixi Wu, Jiaxin Zhang, Ge Chen
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe the genetic landscape and clinical characteristics of Chinese patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and to determine which high-risk genetic characteristics suggest a likelihood of lymph node metastasis (LNM) and lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: -test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: negative population. Similar conclusions about T, N, and N1b stages were observed in relation to multiple driver gene mutations (ORs for each stage=7.48, 2.80, and 7.04, respectively) compared with population without multiple driver mutations. These genetic characteristics may be suggestive of high clinical risk. However, regardless of genetic profiles, patients younger than age 45 years had greater rates of LNM and LLNM. CONCLUSION: fusion events, and had multiple driver gene mutations; thus, these traits may be considered high-risk genetic characteristics in PTC that could warrant aggressive treatment in such population.