BRAF^V600E mutation in fine-needle aspiration aspirates: Association with poorer prognostic factors in larger papillary thyroid carcinomas

Background: Recent studies have shown that BRAF^V600E mutation is associated with poor prognostic factors in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, there are no studies about the association of the BRAF^V600E mutation with poor prognostic factors according to tumor size in PTC. Methods: We investigated the prevalence of the BRAF^V600E 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 BRAF^V600E mutation was 67%, and larger tumors more often had the BRAF^V600E mutation (p for trend <.05). The BRAF^V600E mutation was significantly associated with male sex, tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, nodal metastasis, and advanced tumor stage (p <.05). There was a significant size-dependent relationship between the presence of the BRAF^V600E mutation and extrathyroidal invasion, nodal metastasis, and advanced tumor stage (p for trend <.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of the BRAF^V600E mutation increased with increased tumor size. Preoperative FNA-detected BRAF^V600E mutation was associated with poor prognostic factors, and the association was stronger in larger tumors.