Genetic mutations and prognostic indicators in differentiated thyroid cancer: a molecular perspective

Abstract

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of BRAF, HRAS, NRAS, and KRAS gene mutations and the development of dedifferentiation (iodine-refractory disease) and extrathyroidal disease in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).Materials and methods: Seventy-seven adult patients classified as intermediate and high-risk according to the ATA 2015 guidelines, who underwent total thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine I-131(RAI) therapy between June 2014 and December 2022, were included. Clinical data were collected via the hospital information system, including the number of surgeries, RAI treatments, and levels of thyroglobulin(Tg), anti-thyroglobulin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Histopathological subtypes of DTC were re-evaluated, and mutation analyses of BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS genes were performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Statistical analyses were conducted using Medcalc software, with p-values