Correlation analysis between BRAF^V600E mutation and ultrasonic and clinical features of papillary thyroid cancer

The study investigates the value of the BRAF^V600E mutation in determining the aggressiveness of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and its correlation with ultrasound features.

The study selected 176 patients with BRAF^V600E mutation and 80 without the mutation who underwent surgery at Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital. Clinical and pathological data were collected, focusing on BRAF^V600E mutations and associated ultrasonic features. Correlation analysis, as well as univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, were conducted to identify independent risk factors for BRAF^V600E mutation. The results were verified using a nomogram model.

The analysis results indicate that the BRAF^V600E mutation correlates with tumor size, nodule size, taller-than-wide shape, margin, and shape of papillary thyroid cancer. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic effect of these features on BRAF^V600E mutation. The results showed that nodule size had the most significant area under the curve (AUC = 0.665). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that taller-than-wide shape ≥1, ill-defined margin, irregular shape, nodule size (≤1.40 cm), TT4 (>98.67 nmol/L), and FT3 (<4.14 pmol/L) were independent risk factors for BRAF^V600E mutation. While considering all these factors in the nomogram, the Concordance index (C-index) remained high at 0.764. This suggests that the model has a good predictive effect.

Ultrasound features including nodule size, taller-than-wide shape ≥1, ill-defined margins, irregular shape, higher TT4 levels, and lower FT3 levels were associated with papillary thyroid cancer aggressiveness and BRAF^V600E mutation.