Significant Impact of Prognostic Molecular Markers in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Abstract

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common subtype of thyroid cancer and is the most prevalent one in the endocrine system. According to worldwide reports, its incidence has been increasing in recent decades. The discovery of DNA sequencing methods and molecular diagnostic techniques provides an insight into the understanding of PTC molecular biology which opens a new perspective in finding molecular markers. Expanded studies have been executed on identifying the genes involved in PTC development and their prognosis. Currently, clinical and pathological features of tumor (such as size, extra thyroid extension, lymph node invasion, and capsular invasion) are used to predict the prognosis of PTC. The present article provides an updated condensed overview of PTC molecular alterations involved and recent biomarker investigations.