TERT Promoter Mutations Are an Independent Predictor of Distant Metastasis in Middle Eastern Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

Abstract

Our study indicates a surprisingly high frequency of <i>TERT</i> promoter mutation in Saudi patients with PTMC. Identifying <i>TERT</i> promoter mutations as an independent predictor of DM in patients with microcarcinoma could explain the inherent aggressive nature of PTMC from Middle Eastern ethnicity and magnify its role in patient risk stratification, which might help in improving therapeutic strategy for these patients.