Relationship between BRAF V600E mutation, cervical lymph node metastases and extrathyroidal extension in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationship between BRAF V600E mutation status as well as cervical lymph node metastases(CLNM) and clinical pathological features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods The clinicopathologic data of 262 PTC patients who underwent thyroidectomy from January 2012 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were performed ipsilateral cervical central compartment lymph node dissection and BRAF V600E mutation testing. Results Either BRAF V600E or CLNM positive status was associated with extra thyroidal extension of PTC, as compared with that in corresponding negative patients, respectively [BRAF V600E: 30.6% (45/147) vs. 10.4% (12/115), P<0.001; CLNM: 30.8% (37/120) vs. 14.1% (20/142), P=0.001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that PTC with BRAF V600E or CLNM was more prone to develop extra thyroidal extension, respectively (BRAF V600E: OR=5.02, 95% CI=1.56-16.13, P=0.007; CLNM: OR=3.94, 95% CI=1.07-14.46, P=0.039). The combined effect of BRAF V600E and CLNM for PTC was found to be more susceptible to extra thyroidal extension (OR=11.09, 95% CI=3.54-34.74, P<0.001). Conclusions Both BRAF V600E mutation and CLNM are significantly associated with extra thyroidal extension of PTC. PTC with BRAF V600E and CLNM has increased the risk of extra thyroidal extension. Key words: Papillary thyroid carcinoma; BRAF V600E; Cervical lymph node metastases; Extra thyroidal extension