Diagnostic utility of BRAFV600E mutation testing in thyroid nodules in elderly patients

摘要

BackgroundThyroid cancer is a rare disease characterized by the subtle appearance of a nodule. Fine-needle cytology (FNC) is the first diagnostic procedure used to distinguish a benign from a malignant nodule. However, FNC yields inconclusive results in about 20% of cases. BRAF^V600E mutation is the most frequent genetic alteration in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC); its high prevalence makes this oncogene a useful marker to refine inconclusive FNC results. However, the prevalence of the BRAF^V600E mutation depends on detection methods, geographical factors, and age. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of BRAF^V600E mutation and its utility as a diagnostic tool in elderly subjects.