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Multifocal Thyroid Follicular Cell-Derived Carcinomas With Discordant Molecular Drivers: Morphologic and Clinical
Eren Altun1,2, Muhammer Ergenç3, Sylvia L Asa1
1Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
None:
Thyroid carcinomas of follicular-cell origin are divided into 2 distinct morphologic and molecular families, RAS-like and BRAF p.V600E-like. Multifocality is common, usually of a single type. We retrospectively examined thyroid specimens diagnosed between 2019 and 2025 at one institution to evaluate the prevalence, clinicopathologic features, and immunohistochemical profiles of multifocal thyroid carcinomas with discordant molecular drivers. Clinical, demographic, and pathologic data were collected. Tissue microarrays were constructed for immunohistochemistry to localize BRAF p.V600E, NRAS p.Q61R, HBME-1, CK19, and Galectin-3. Among 1778 thyroid specimens, 626 thyroidectomy cases contained follicular cell-derived carcinomas. Multifocal disease was identified in 245 patients (39.1%); 63 (25.7%) had coexisting RAS-like and BRAF p.V600E-like carcinomas within the same gland. Most cases had a dominant tumor >1 cm and a second tumor <1 cm; in 19 cases (7.8%), both tumors were ≥1 cm. RAS-like tumors were larger (mean 3.6 cm) than BRAF p.V600E-like tumors (mean 1.85 cm; median 2.30 vs. 0.60 cm, P <0.001). HBME-1, CK19 and galectin-3 expression was more frequent in BRAF p.V600E-like tumors (81.0%, 82.5%, and 74.6%) compared with RAS-like tumors (63.5%, 65.1%, and 28.6%) ( P =0.004, P =0.003 and P <0.001). Lymphatic invasion occurred in 14 cases and lymph node metastasis in 10, predominantly from BRAF p.V600E-like papillary thyroid carcinoma, including 9 metastases arising from the smaller tumor focus. Two collision tumors were identified. We conclude that RAS-like and BRAF p.V600E-like tumors commonly coexist within the same thyroid gland. BRAF p.V600E-like papillary thyroid carcinomas demonstrate greater metastatic potential regardless of size, highlighting the importance of comprehensive histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular evaluation for accurate risk stratification and individualized management.
