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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
07:01
An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
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Educational Case: Endocrine Neoplasm: Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.
Sheila Segura1, Gloria Ramos-Rivera1, Mark Suhrland1
1Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
Academic Pathology
|July 7, 2018
Summary
Medullary thyroid cancer, a rare neuroendocrine tumor, originates from C cells and accounts for 5-10% of thyroid cancers. The RET proto-oncogene is key for diagnosis and treatment guidance in sporadic and hereditary forms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor originating from neural crest-derived parafollicular C cells.
- It represents 5% to 10% of all thyroid cancers globally.
- MTC can manifest sporadically or as part of hereditary syndromes like Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 2 (MEN2) and familial MTC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular underpinnings of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
- To summarize the clinicopathologic characteristics of MTC.
- To highlight the significance of the RET proto-oncogene in MTC.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article.
- It synthesizes information from existing literature on MTC.
- Focuses on molecular genetics and clinical presentation.
Main Results:
- The RET proto-oncogene is a critical genetic factor in MTC development.
- Mutations in RET are implicated in both sporadic and hereditary forms of MTC.
- The most frequent clinical presentation is a solitary thyroid nodule.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the molecular basis, particularly RET proto-oncogene mutations, is crucial for MTC diagnosis.
- Genetic screening for hereditary MTC is essential.
- This knowledge aids in guiding treatment strategies for medullary thyroid cancer.
Keywords:
clinical featurescytologic diagnosisendocrine neoplasmsmedullary thyroid carcinomamolecular basisorgan system pathologypathologic featurespathology competenciesMore Related Videos
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