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

PURPOSE

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

METHODS

The study selected 176 patients with BRAF mutation and 80 without the mutation who underwent surgery at Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital. Clinical and pathological data were collected, focusing on BRAF 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 mutation. The results were verified using a nomogram model.

RESULTS

The analysis results indicate that the BRAF 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 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 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.

CONCLUSION

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 mutation.