1.Clinical and Histopathological Profile Of BRAF V600E Mutation In Conventional Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in A Filipino Population
Cecilia Gretchen Navarro-Locsin ; Ann Margaret Villarosa Chang ; Ma. Luisa Daroy ; Alicia Cornista Alfon ; Jose Jasper Andal ; Paula Francezca Padua
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2016;38(2):141-148
BRAF V600E is a possible biomarker for risk stratification and prognostication in papillary thyroid
carcinoma. Studies on its association with aggressive clinicopathological features among East Asian
populations are limited. This study examines the clinical and histopathological features of this
mutation in Filipinos with conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin
embedded thyroid tissue blocks of papillary carcinoma for the study period January 2010 to December
2012 were retrieved. Slides were reviewed and described according to tumour size, variant type,
sclerosis, multifocality, subcapsular location, extra-thyroidal extension, nodal metastasis, and nodal
extracapsular spread. Medical records were reviewed for patient demographics and characteristics.
Mutation status was determined using realtime polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Results:
Sixty-five patients were included in this study. BRAF V600E mutation prevalence was 38.46%. The
mutation positive group was predominantly female, young (mean age 36 years), with tumour size less
than 4 cm, and late-stage disease. Extra-thyroidal extension (60%), significant sclerosis (96%), and
subcapsular tumour location (72%) were the most frequent findings. Eighty-three percent of patients
with nodal metastasis had extracapsular spread. Conclusions: Compared to some Asian populations,
this study of Filipino patients shows a lower prevalence of BRAF V600E mutation. The clinical
and histopathological features of mutation positive patients raise important issues regarding extent
of surgical excision and appropriate management of neck metastasis for this group.