In the benign cytology group (Bethesda category I or II, n = 104), 4 malignant nodules were negative on BRAF mutation analysis (3 PTCs and 1 follicular thyroid carcinoma) and 2 benign nodules were positive on BRAF mutation analysis (1 nodular hyperplasia and 1 non-surgical benign nodule). Here, BRAF is linked to thyroid gland follicular carcinoma.