Thyroid cancer: Medullary cell carcinoma

• What is Medullary Cell of the Thyroid
• Statistics on Medullary Cell of the Thyroid
• Risk Factors for Medullary Cell of the Thyroid
• Progression of Medullary Cell of the Thyroid
• Symptoms of Medullary Cell of the Thyroid
• Clinical Examination of Medullary Cell of the Thyroid
• How is Medullary Cell of the Thyroid Diagnosed?
• Prognosis of Medullary Cell of the Thyroid
• How is Medullary Cell of the Thyroid Treated?

What is Medullary Cell of the Thyroid

Cancers of the Thyroid may be of the Medullary Cell type and usually arise from the medullary cells located between the thyroid follicles, which are responsible for production of calcitonin.

The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck in the front. It acts as the body’s carburettor and accelerator determining how quickly we burn our fuel.

It regulates body metabolism and energy. The vallecular cells make the thyroid hormone responsible for the above, and C cells located between the thyroid follicles make calcitonin (which regulate calcium).

Statistics on Medullary Cell of the Thyroid

It is rare, accounting for only 10% of thyroid cancers and occurs usually in the middle aged with sex incidence being more common in females (Three times more common).

Geographically, the tumour is found worldwide but is more common in caucasians.

Higher incidences are also found in Japan and in some of the Pacific Islands as a result of nuclear weapons.

Risk Factors for Medullary Cell of the Thyroid

There is a genetically inherited risk with this cancer, occurring more commonly in people with an abnormal RET gene.

Patients with multiple endocrinal plasia (MEN) are also at a higher risk.

Progression of Medullary Cell of the Thyroid

This type of tumour spreads by local spread into surrounding tissue such as the trachea and muscles of the neck. Lymphatic spread can occur to regional liver nodes especially in the neck.

Blood-borne spread can disseminate this tumour to the bones, liver and lung.

How is Medullary Cell of the Thyroid Diagnosed?

General investigations may show under active or over active thyroid tests but they will usually be normal.

Prognosis of Medullary Cell of the Thyroid

Early thyroid cancers can be associated with a good cure rate with a greater than 90% in the 5 to 10 year survival period.

How is Medullary Cell of the Thyroid Treated?

Surgery offers the best chance of cure from this disease.

Improvement in symptoms is an important measurement. Specific monitoring may be by imaging of metastases.

The symptoms that may require attention are somatic pain in metastatic disease.

Stridor from invasion of the trachea may require specific treatment such as laser bronchoscopy.