Medullary thyroid carcinoma: genetic advances, treatment recommendations, and the approach to the patient with persistent hypercalcitoninemia

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 1998 Oct;7(4):681-706.

Abstract

Medullary thyroid cancer is a tumor of the thyroid C cells that occurs in sporadic and hereditary clinical settings. Genetic testing of at-risk individuals is available and has been applied to patient management. Plasma calcitonin levels are a sensitive marker for the presence of disease. Surgery offers the best hope for cure and also is an effective modality for managing metastatic and recurrent disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Calcitonin / blood*
  • Carcinoma, Medullary / blood
  • Carcinoma, Medullary / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Medullary / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Medullary / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Medullary / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genetic Testing
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a / blood
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a / genetics
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a / surgery
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
  • Risk Factors
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / blood
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Thyroidectomy

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Calcitonin