KRAS and BRAF mutation analysis from liquid-based cytology brushings of colorectal carcinoma in comparison with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.

Real-time PCR-based molecular diagnostic techniques were used for the comparative identification of the most common KRAS and BRAF mutations from methanol liquid-based cytology samples and matched, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Methanol-based fixation and preservation of brushing samples of colorectal carcinomas could contribute to sample collection, short-term storage and subsequent molecular analysis, by improving workflow and enhancing the identification of putative mutations.