Data from: Multi-gene co-mutations of BRAF with TERT, PIK3CA, or TP53 are powerful predictors of central lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Data files
Feb 06, 2026 version files 36.32 KB
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README.md
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ThyroidCancer_Dataset.csv
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Abstract
This dataset contains complete clinical and genomic data of 521 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients, aiming to investigate the association between multi-gene co-mutations (BRAF with TERT, PIK3CA, or TP53) and central lymph node metastasis (CLNM). It includes patient demographics, tumor characteristics, lymph node metastasis status, and mutations in key genes.
Background: The accurate preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) poses a significant clinical challenge. Although clinicopathological features are commonly utilized, their predictive accuracy remains limited, and the role of multi-gene co-mutations is not fully understood.
Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate an integrated risk model that combines next-generation sequencing (NGS) data with clinicopathologic features for the preoperative prediction of LNM in PTC.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 521 patients with PTC. Gene mutations were analyzed using NGS. Independent risk factors for central (CLNM) and lateral (LLNM) lymph node metastasis were identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Results: The BRAF V600E mutation was the most prevalent (82.15%). Notably, high-risk multi-gene co-mutations **—specifically, BRAF V600E co-occurring with TERT, PIK3CA, and/or TP53)—**were identified as the strongest independent risk factor for CLNM (odds ratio [OR] = 6.319, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.738–22.976, P = 0.005). Other significant risk factors included male sex, age <45 years, bilateral lesions, tumor size >1 cm, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and extrathyroidal extension,with gross ETE demonstrating the highest ORs (> 21).
Conclusion: Preoperative NGS profiling, particularly the detection of high-risk multi-gene co-mutations, provides a powerful tool for refined risk assessment. This molecularly guided strategy has the potential to inform personalized surgical planning directly, optimizing the extent of lymph node dissection to improve oncologic outcomes while minimizing unnecessary morbidity.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.bvq83bkpx
Description of the data and file structure
This dataset contains anonymized clinicopathological and genomic mutation data from 521 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). It supports the research presented in:
“Multi-Gene Co-Mutations of BRAF with TERT, PIK3CA, or TP53 Are Powerful Predictors of Central Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma”.
Dataset Information
File Name: ThyroidCancer_Dataset.csv
Format: CSV (Comma-Separated Values)
Encoding: UTF-8
Number of Rows: 521 (excluding header)
Number of Columns: 22
Collection Period: June 2022 – January 2025
Institution: Deyang People's Hospital
| Variable Name (CSV Header) | Description | Value Definition |
|---|---|---|
| PatientID | Anonymous patient identifier | P001 - P521 |
| Sex | Sex | 1 = Female, 2 = Male |
| Age | Age at diagnosis (binned) | 1 = "＜45 years", 2 = "≥45 years" |
| MutationStatus | Multi-gene co-mutation status | 0 = Non-co-mutation, 1 = Co-mutation of BRAF with one or more of TERT/PIK3CA/TP53 |
| MutationCount | Count of definitively mutated genes | 0 = No mutation, 1 = Single-gene mutation, 2 = ≥2 gene mutations |
| MutatedGenes | Definitively mutated genes | Specific mutated genes, e.g., BRAF, TERT, PIK3CA, TP53, NRAS, RET, etc.; multiple genes separated by space (e.g., "BRAF TERT"); "NA" indicates no definitive mutation detected |
| PathologyDetail | Detailed pathology subtype | 1 = Classical, 2 = Follicular, 3 = Tall cell, 4 = Columnar cell, 5 = Hobnail, 6 = Sclerosing |
| PathologySimple | Simplified pathology subtype | 1 = Classical, 2 = Follicular, 3 = Other |
| NoduleCount | Nodule count | 1 = 1 nodule, 2 = 2 nodules, 3 = ‚ ≥3 nodules |
| MaxDiameter | Maximum tumor diameter | 1 = ≤1 cm, 2 = >1 cm |
| LesionSide | Lesion laterality | 1 = Left, 2 = Right, 3 = Bilateral |
| Bilateral | Bilaterality | 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| LNM | Lymph node metastasis | 1 = No, 2 = Yes |
| LNM_Total | Total number of metastatic lymph nodes (binned) | 0 = "0" (no metastasis), 1 = "1-5 nodes", 2 = ">5 nodes" |
| Central_LNM | Central lymph node metastasis | 1 = No, 2 = Yes |
| Central_LNM_Count | Number of central lymph node metastases (binned) | 0 = "0", 1 = "1-5", 2 = ">5" |
| Neck_LNM | Neck (lateral) lymph node metastasis | 1 = No, 2 = Yes |
| Neck_LNM_Count | Number of neck (lateral) lymph node metastases (binned) | 0 = "0", 1 = "1-5", 2 = ">5" |
| ThyroidCapsule | Thyroid capsule invasion | 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| StrapMuscle | Vascular invasion (strap muscle) | 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| NerveInvasion | Nerve invasion | 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| ExtrathyroidalExtension | Gross extrathyroidal extension | 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
Genomic Testing Method
Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed using a thyroid carcinoma-related gene panel, covering key driver genes including BRAF, TERT, PIK3CA, TP53, NRAS, and RET.
Usage Notes
1.Privacy Protection: The data is fully anonymized and contains no personally identifiable information.
2.Data Access: Recommended software for opening and analysis includes R (read.csv), Python (pandas), SPSS, or Excel.
3.Missing Values: Empty cells in the CSV file represent missing values.
4.Variable Interpretation: All categorical variables are encoded as numeric values. Please refer to the Variable Description table above for the corresponding definitions.
5.Core Definition: A value of 1 in the MutationStatus column specifically indicates a co-mutation where the BRAF gene mutation occurs simultaneously with one or more mutations in the TERT, PIK3CA, or TP53 genes.
Ethics Statement
This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Deyang People's Hospital (Approval No.: 2025-04-113-K01). The use of retrospective, anonymized data granted a waiver for the requirement of obtaining individual patient informed consent.
Key Findings Summary
BRAF V600E mutation rate: 82.15%
Incidence of high-risk multi-gene co-mutation (BRAF with TERT/PIK3CA/TP53): 3.8%
High-risk multi-gene co-mutation is the strongest independent predictor of central lymph node metastasis (OR=6.319).
Among patients with microcarcinoma (≤1 cm), the incidence of central lymph node metastasis in those with high-risk co-mutations was as high as 81.8%.
How to Cite
If you use this dataset, please cite it as follows:
Yu, Qing; Liu, Hua. (2026). Data from: Multi-gene co-mutations of BRAF with TERT, PIK3CA, or TP53 are powerful predictors of central lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.bvq83bkpx
Contact
Corresponding Author: Qing Yu
Email: 290894185@qq.com
Affiliation: Department of Pathology, Deyang People's Hospital
Address: No. 173 Taishan North Road, Deyang, Sichuan, China, 618000
License
This dataset is published under the CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication license.
Acknowledgments
We thank all patients and clinical staff who participated in this study.
Document Last Updated: February 6, 2026
Human subjects data
This study involving human subjects was approved by the Ethics Committee of Deyang People's Hospital (Approval ID: 2025-04-113-K01) with a waiver of informed consent.