Purpose: To evaluate the association of known prognostic factors with the BRAF(V600E) mutation and its association with ultrasonographic (US) features in Korean patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).
Materials and methods: This retrospective study was institutional review board approved; informed consent was not required from patients. From July 2008 to November 2008, 339 consecutive patients underwent surgery for PTMC. US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed to evaluate BRAF status in thyroid nodules before surgery. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between BRAF status, determined by using clinicopathologic factors, and several US features.
Results: Univariate analysis revealed an association between the BRAF(V600E) mutation and both tumor size and extracapsular invasion. Tumor size, extracapsular invasion, and high TNM stage (III and IV) were significantly associated with BRAF(V600E) in multivariate analysis. BRAF(V600E) was not significantly associated with any US features.
Conclusion: The BRAF(V600E) mutation can be used as a potential prognostic factor in PTMC patients in a BRAF(V600E)-prevalent area. Future studies will be needed to determine how this information can be used to alter patient care.