BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma – additional marker of risk stratification

Background Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is heterogeneous group of tumor less than 1 cm in the diameter. The volume of surgical treatment stay unstable because unclear biological potential of PTMC. Aim The aim of our study was to assess the utility of BRAF gene mutation as preoperative additional marker of risk stratification. Materials and methods We include 44 patient who were operated in general surgery department Pavlov State Medical University from 2001 to 2013. In all 44 cases BRAF gene mutation was detected and compared with clinic-morphological features (multifocality, invasive growth, lymph node metastasis, recurrence) retrospectively Results In our study the frequency of BRAF gene mutation was 68.2%. On multivariate regression analysis the presence of bilateral tumoural foci, lymph node metastasis and the presence of capsular invasion were significantly related to BRAF positive gene status. Conclusions Thus, appropriate volume for the BRAF positive PTMC is thyroidectomy with central compartment lymph node dissection.