Medullary thyroid carcinoma

Medullary thyroid carcinoma originates from  parafollicular, also called C-cells, of the thyroid gland. In four clinical forms:
 * sporadic (70-80% medullary ca, most aggressive)
 * familial (AD inherited)
 *  MEN 2A and MEN 2B syndromes (together with pheochromocytoma, neurofibromas, parathyroid adenomas, ...)

Clinical picture + diagnostics

 * Similar to differentiated thyroid cancer,
 * secretes calcitonin ( marker),
 * is more aggressive than differentiated carcinoma, at the time of diagnosis Molecular mechanisms of metastasis in more than 50% of cases,
 * in medullary thyroid carcinoma in connection with MEN 2A and MEN 2B syndromes, vanillic acid is measured,
 * 50% of medullary ca produces CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen).

Therapy
Total thyroidectomy, external radiation (C cells do not accumulate iodine), chemotherapy.

Forecast
Despite the aggressiveness, the prognosis is favorable - 75% of patients survive for 15 years.

Related Articles

 * Thyroid tumors
 * Differentiated thyroid cancer
 * Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Source

 * ws:Medulární karcinom štítné žlázy