Follicular Thyroid Cancer Genetics and Special Cases
Follicular thyroid cancer genetics is some really technical and complicated stuff that rarely will play a role in the evaluation, diagnosis or treatment of follicular thyroid cancer patients unless the cancer has come back or spread to sites outside of the neck (distant sites). Last updated February 2, 2020.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer Known Associated Genetic Mutations
Follicular thyroid cancer genetic abnormalities are rapidly becoming well identified following the human genome project and the cancer genome project.
- Follicular thyroid cancer and its variants more commonly reveal RAS mutations or PAX8/PPAR gamma rearrangements. But importantly, these mutations can be also found in benign follicular tumors as well.
- Aggressive follicular thyroid cancer variants are potentially suggested by mutations of the p53 or PI3kinase genese. To date, identifying these mutations does not translate to targetable treatment approaches and should not direct therapy above what is seen under the microscope (pathology) and Xray findings.