Medullary thyroid gland carcinoma

Medullary thyroid gland carcinoma

Definition

A neuroendocrine carcinoma arising from the C-cells of the thyroid gland. It is closely associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes. Approximately 10% to 20% of medullary thyroid carcinomas are familial. Patients usually present with a thyroid nodule that is painless and firm. In the majority of cases nodal involvement is present at diagnosis. Surgery is the preferred treatment for both primary lesions and recurrences. This carcinoma is generally not very sensitive to radiation and almost unresponsive to chemotherapy.

Also known as C cell carcinoma, carcinoma of parafollicular cell, carcinoma, C-cell, malignant, medullary carcinoma, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland, medullary carcinoma of thyroid, medullary carcinoma of thyroid gland, medullary thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, medullary thyroid gland carcinoma, MTC, parafollicular cell carcinoma, thyroid gland medullary cancer, thyroid gland medullary carcinoma, thyroid gland neuroendocrine carcinoma, thyroid medullary carcinoma — per MONDO

Also identified as

Affected Organs

Organ Involvement Source
Craniocervical region Disease Has Associated Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Craniocervical region Disease Has Primary Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Endocrine gland Disease Has Associated Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Endocrine gland Disease Has Primary Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Neck Disease Has Associated Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Neck Disease Has Primary Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Thyroid gland Disease Has Associated Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Thyroid gland Disease Has Primary Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0