Incidence of BRAF mutations in cutaneous melanoma: histopathological and molecular analysis of a Ukrainian population

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of BRAF mutation in cutaneous melanoma in the Ukrainian population with respect to clinical and histopathological data. Materials & methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled 299 primary CM with known BRAF status assessed by RT-PCR. Results: The overall BRAF mutation rate was 56.5% in CM and demonstrated a link with the younger age (p < 0.001), anatomical site (p < 0.001) and histological type of CM (p = 0.022). BRAF-positive CM possessed a slightly higher mitotic rate (p = 0.015) and Breslow thickness (p = 0.028) but did not relate to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Conclusion: The high rate of BRAF mutations in CM patients in the Ukrainian cohort was associated with superficial spreading histology, higher depth of invasion and proliferation.