Molecular Pathogenesis of Thyroid Neoplasia

Abstract

Abstract Knowledge and understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of thyroid neoplasia has greatly expanded over the past decade, in part due to integrated genome-wide studies such as The Cancer Genome Atlas. The genetic and genomic landscapes of the common types of thyroid cancer have been elucidated (e.g., papillary carcinoma) or are the topic of ongoing investigation (e.g., anaplastic carcinoma). Pathologic and clinical translation of these advances has led to enhanced diagnostic evaluation of patients with thyroid nodules, improved tumor classification schemes, more informed clinical trial enrollments, and more precise therapeutic strategies. Here, the current genetic and genomic features of thyroid cancer that are currently being used in pathology and clinical practice to improve perioperative diagnosis, to predict neoplastic behavior, and to determine clinical trial enrollments or treatment options for patients with thyroid cancer are presented.