The role of BRAF mutations in primary melanoma growth rate and survival

Abstract

Background The clinical behaviour and prognosis of primary melanomas harbouring BRAF mutations is not fully understood. Objectives To investigate the effect of mutation status on primary melanoma growth rate and melanoma-specific survival (MSS). Methods A prospective cohort of 196 patients with stage I-III primary cutaneous melanoma were followed for a median of 92 months, pre-dating the institution of BRAF inhibitor therapy. Clinicopathological variables were correlated with mutation status and hazard ratios (HRs) estimated for MSS. Results Of 196 tumours, 77 (39·2%) were BRAF V600E, 10 (5·1%) BRAF V600K and 33 (16·8%) were NRAS mutant. BRAF V600E mutant melanomas were associated with favou..