[Tumor markers of medullary cancer of the thyroid body. Basic and endocrine aspects]

MTC is characterized by multiple humoral and hormonal manifestations. Although calcitonin is the specific marker of the disease, somatostatin, the pro-opiomelanocortin derived peptides and bombesin--among hormones produced by the tumor--can represent an exacerbation of normal C cells potentialities through genome derepression induced by the cancer. In this paper, the functional polymorphism of princeps tumoral markers and the endocrinological aspects of this neoplasia are reviewed. Molecular biology has been instrumental in discovering new tumoral peptides ("ancestral" CT forms, cryptic peptide and CGRP) and methods of CT detection; therefore, the role of CT could be better evaluated. In addition to its calciotropic role, CT acts also as a neuromodulator on some hypophyseal hormones. Conversely, CT secretion is also regulated by amines and neuropeptides, providing the basis of potential hormonal treatment.