Medullary carcinoma of thyroid

Alternative names:

thyroid - medullary carcinoma

Definition:

A malignancy of the thyroid gland.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause is unknown, but radiation may be a contributing factor. Thyroid function tests are usually normal. Risk factors are radiation therapy to the head or neck, a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia, a prior history of pheochromocytoma, mucosal neuromas, or hyperparathyroidism. The average age at diagnosis is 50 and the incidence is only slightly higher among women. Other types of thyroid cancer are papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid, follicular tumor of the thyroid, thyroid lymphoma, and metastatic thyroid cancer. The incidence is 4 out of 10,000 people.