BRAFV600E mutation in fine-needle aspiration aspirates: Association with poorer prognostic factors in larger papillary thyroid carcinomas

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have shown that BRAFV600E mutation is associated with poor prognostic factors in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, there are no studies about the association of the BRAFV600E mutation with poor prognostic factors according to tumor size in PTC. Methods: We investigated the prevalence of the BRAFV600E mutation and its association with prognostic factors according to tumor size of PTC. BRAF V600E mutation status was assessed in thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens from 605 patients before thyroidectomy for PTC, and its association with postoperative clinicopathologic factors was evaluated. Results: The overall prevalence of the BRAFV600E mutation was 67%, and larger tumors more often had the BRAFV600E mutation (p for trend