BRAF V600E Mutations in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Their Relation to Clinical Features and Oncologic Outcomes in A Single Cancer Centre Experience

Introduction: BRAF V600E is one of the most common mutations in Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC). Its clinical correlation has been extensively studied with contradictory results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the oncological impact of BRAF V600E mutation on a cohort of Middle Eastern PTC patients treated at a single institute. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed PTC that were treated surgically between 2006 to 2015 were included in the study. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumor blocks were sectioned and tested for BRAF V600E mutation. Short- and long-term oncological outcomes were collected. Results: 128 patients (68% females) were included with a mean age of 38 years (±13.8). Median follow-up was 50 months. BRAF V600E mutation was found in 71% of patientsIThe BRAF negative tumors were significantly larger than the BRAF positive (3.47 cm versus 2.31 cm respectively, P = 0.009). All other clinicopathological characteristics were comparable between BRAF V600E mutation positive and negative groups. The two groups showed similar 5-year Disease-free (P= 0.37) and Overall survival rates (P = 0.94). Conclusion: BRAF V600E mutation did not affect loco-reginal recurrence, distant metastasis, overall and disease-free survival. These results support the diversity of BRAF V600E significance among various ethnicities.