AMP case report: February 2017 test yourself answers

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In the February 2017 issue was a report, “An unusual BRAF mutation in a patient with melanoma,” written by members of the Association for Molecular Pathology. Here are answers (in bold) to the three “test yourself ” questions that followed that case report.

1. What percentage of melanoma patients have an activating BRAF mutation?

a) 20–40 percent

b) 40–60 percent

c) 60–80 percent

d) 80–100 percent

2. At present, why isn’t next-generation sequencing the first-line test for BRAF?

a) It has a low sensitivity.

b) It has a low specificity.

c) It has a longer turnaround time compared with other tests.

3. Why is it important to test the BRAF mutational status in melanoma patients?

a) Some BRAF inhibitors are specific to V600E.

b) BRAF mutations can confirm a melanoma diagnosis.

c) It provides useful information about tumor staging.