Purpose: This study focuses on the oncologic influence of BRAF V600E mutations in a cohort of Middle Eastern PTC patients treated at a single centre. We test the association of BRAFV600E mutation with papillary thyroid carcinoma at King Hussein Cancer Center.
Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed PTC who underwent surgical treatment between 2006 and 2015 were included in this study. Oncological outcomes, both short and long termed were collected.
Results: A total of 128 patients (68% females) were included in this study with a mean age of 38 years (±13.8). The median follow-up period was 50 months. The BRAF V600E mutation was found in 71% of patients. The tumor size for patients with a negative BRAF V600E mutation were significantly larger in comparison to patients who tested positive for the mutation (3.47 cm versus 2.31 cm, respectively, P = 0.009). The two groups showed similar disease-free survival (DFS) rates; positive = 75% (median 43 months (0-168)) compared to 78% for the negative BRAF V600E mutation (median 38 months (3-142)) (P= 0.162, HR=0.731) Furthermore, both groups showed similar overall survival rates: positive = 94.5% (median 56 months (0-228)) compared to 94.6% for the negative BRAF V600E mutation (median 43 months (3-157)) (P = 0.941, HR= 0.940).
Conclusion: BRAF V600E mutation had no effect on loco-regional recurrence, distant metastasis, overall survival or disease-free survival. These findings may be attributed to geographic variations or reflect that BRAF V600E may only serve as an indicator of poor prognosis in high risk groups.