Activating BRAF mutations in papillary thyroid carcinomas have been linked to aberrant methylation of several tumor-suppressor genes, including TIMP3, SLC5A8, DAPK and RAR 2 that corresponds with the dedifferentiation of PTC which is correlated with signs of aggressive behavior: extrathyroidal invasion, lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor stage at diagnosis. The gene discussed is BRAF; the disease is neoplasm.