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Background. The ret proto‐oncogene activation (PTC/ret^TPC oncogene) in thyroid papillary carcinoma has been reported in different populations with different frequencies. Thyroid papillary carcinoma appears to behave more aggressively in the Persian Gulf region than elsewhere. In the current study, the frequency of PTC/ret^TPC oncogene in thyroid tumors from Saudi Arabia was investigated.

Methods. PTC/ret^TPC oncogene transcripts were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction amplification of cDNA synthesized by treatment of total RNA with reverse transcriptase. Seven multinodular goiters, 1 follicular adenoma, 4 follicular carcinomas, 40 papillary carcinomas, and 5 anaplastic carcinomas were studied.

Results. Only one papillary carcinoma specimen was found to have PTC/ret^TPC oncogene transcripts. The breakpoint of the rearranged PTC/ret^TPC oncogene is identical to that previously described …