Here, we comprehensively analyzed BRAF, NRAS, KRAS, and TERT promoter mutations from 73 matched neoplastic tissue and plasma DNA samples, including preoperative plasma, along with 27 matched metastatic lymph nodes, in order to investigate diagnostic utility of circulating markers in distinguishing early-stage thyroid cancers from other mimicking thyroid lesions and healthy individuals. Here, TERT is linked to thyroid cancer.