Role of the BRAF mutations in the microsatellite instability genetic pathway in sporadic colorectal cancer.

Background and Aims Between 10 and 15% of all cases of colorectal cancer are the result of microsatellite instability (MSI) in the genetic pathway due to an alteration in the DNA repair genes. Tumors with high MSI are characterized by a better prognosis. The BRAF oncogene has been linked to the MSI pathway in tumorogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine whether alterations in BRAF are related to MSI and whether they can result in differences in survival rates.