title: Molecular diagnostics of melanoma fine-needle aspirates: a cytology-histology correlation study.
abstract: Patients with advanced-stage melanoma harboring a BRAF mutation are candidates for BRAF inhibition as a therapeutic strategy. The use of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) to diagnose metastatic melanoma is increasing. Studies examining the predictive value of BRAF mutation analysis on melanoma FNAs via correlation with follow-up excision findings are lacking. We examined 37 consecutive FNA cases of metastatic melanoma in which the aspirated lesion was subsequently excised. DNA was purified from Diff-Quik-stained FNA smears and tissue blocks from corresponding excisions in parallel. BRAF mutation status was successfully obtained from both specimen types in 34 (92%) of 37 cases. BRAF mutations were detected in 12 (35%) of 34 cases-11 V600E and 1 V600K. Results of BRAF mutational analysis were concordant in all 34 FNA smear/tissue excision pairs. Thus, melanoma FNA for molecular diagnostics represents a rapid, minimally invasive, and effective management strategy in this era of precision medicine.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, 2G332 UH, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5054, USA.
authors.forename: Kurt D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Bernacki
authors.forename: Bryan L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Betz
authors.forename: Helmut C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Weigelin
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Lao
authors.forename: Bruce G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: Stewart M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Knoepp
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Roh
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000556:secondary; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf