If your pathology report or molecular test results mention a RAS mutation — most commonly NRAS, HRAS, or KRAS — this refers to a change in one of three closely related genes that help control how thyroid cells grow and divide. RAS mutations are among the most common molecular findings in thyroid cancer and in …
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If your pathology report or genetic test results mention a RET mutation or a RET fusion, these refer to two distinct types of change in the RET gene that play important roles in different types of thyroid cancer. RET mutations — where a specific letter in the gene’s code is altered — are the primary …
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If your pathology report or molecular test results mention a BRAF mutation — most commonly written as BRAF V600E — this refers to a specific change in the BRAF gene found in a large proportion of thyroid cancers. BRAF testing is now a routine part of the molecular workup for thyroid cancer, and the result …
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TERT is a gene that provides instructions for making part of an enzyme called telomerase. Telomerase helps maintain structures called telomeres, which protect the ends of chromosomes. TERT is considered a biomarker. A biomarker is a measurable feature in a tumour, such as a gene change, that helps doctors understand how a cancer behaves and …
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Follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma is a type of thyroid cancer and a subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma, the most common thyroid cancer. It develops from follicular cells, which are the thyroid cells responsible for producing thyroid hormone. The tumour is called a “follicular variant” because, under the microscope, the cancer cells exhibit a follicular …
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Oncocytic carcinoma (previously called Hurthle cell carcinoma) is a rare type of thyroid cancer that arises from follicular cells, which produce thyroid hormone. This tumour is made up mostly of oncocytic cells, a specialized type of thyroid cell that appears larger and more pink under the microscope because it contains many mitochondria (the parts of …
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Cribriform morular thyroid carcinoma (CMTC) is a rare type of thyroid cancer with a distinctive appearance under the microscope and an important link to an inherited condition called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck that helps regulate metabolism. CMTC was once grouped with papillary thyroid …
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HBME-1, which stands for “Hector Battifora mesothelial-1,” is an antibody that binds to a specific protein called mesothelin. It is primarily used in pathology to help identify specific types of cells, particularly in the diagnosis of certain tumours. The marker is most commonly associated with mesothelial cells (which line the body’s cavities) and some types …
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Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a rare type of thyroid cancer that falls between well differentiated thyroid cancers, such as papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid carcinoma, and the more aggressive anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. This type of cancer is considered high-grade, meaning it tends to grow and spread more quickly than other thyroid cancers. …
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Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive type of thyroid cancer. It starts from follicular cells, the cells that normally make thyroid hormone, but over time, these cells change so much that they no longer look or behave like thyroid cells. For this reason, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is sometimes called undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma. …
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