Biomaterial Database

Surgical treatment of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. 1990

M A Block

University of California at San Diego.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma, comprising approximately 7% of thyroid carcinoma, produces calcitonin, which can be monitored by immunoassay for diagnosis, at preclinical stages, and for persistent disease and its extent. It presents as sporadic and hereditary forms. The latter consists of the multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)-2A syndrome, which includes pheochromocytomas and hyperparathyroidism in some families, and the MEN-2B syndrome, which consistently includes mucosal neuromas and somatic features. The carcinoma, especially the MEN-2B variety, is more aggressive than well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. After the presence and management of a possible pheochromocytoma is resolved, treatment is by total thyroidectomy, the MEN-2 syndromes always indicating bilateral involvement. Gross evidence of medullary thyroid carcinoma is associated with metastases to regional lymph nodes, justifying removal of lymph nodes in the central neck, anterior superior mediastinum, and lateral neck. At operation, attention is given to preservation of parathyroid glands but also to removal of hyperplastic parathyroid glands; subtotal parathyroidectomy usually is needed if clinical hyperparathyroidism is evident. Diagnosis at the preclinical stage, C-cell hyperplasia, permits total thyroidectomy. Lateral cervical lymph node dissection is determined by biopsy of midjugular lymph nodes. In this situation, serum calcitonin levels are usually normal after operation, indicating cure. However, for palpable medullary thyroid carcinoma, serum calcitonin levels are often elevated after appropriate neck surgery. In this event, scanning techniques are used to monitor patients, and reoperation is performed if localization of medullary thyroid carcinoma is achieved. The mediastinum is particularly observed for recurrence. Reoperation is justified for recurrence in the neck and mediastinum. Early diagnosis and monitoring permits long-term survival. In the future it is anticipated that diagnostic genetic techniques will provide definitive and early diagnosis in the hereditary form, permitting earlier treatment with assurance of cure.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006961	Hyperparathyroidism	A condition of abnormally elevated output of PARATHYROID HORMONE (or PTH) triggering responses that increase blood CALCIUM. It is characterized by HYPERCALCEMIA and BONE RESORPTION, eventually leading to bone diseases. PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM is caused by parathyroid HYPERPLASIA or PARATHYROID NEOPLASMS. SECONDARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM is increased PTH secretion in response to HYPOCALCEMIA, usually caused by chronic KIDNEY DISEASES.
D008207	Lymphatic Metastasis	Transfer of a neoplasm from its primary site to lymph nodes or to distant parts of the body by way of the lymphatic system.	Lymph Node Metastasis,Lymph Node Metastases,Lymphatic Metastases,Metastasis, Lymph Node
D008297	Male		Males
D009377	Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia	A group of autosomal dominant diseases characterized by the combined occurrence of tumors involving two or more ENDOCRINE GLANDS that secrete PEPTIDE HORMONES or AMINES. These neoplasias are often benign but can be malignant. They are classified by the endocrine glands involved and the degree of aggressiveness. The two major forms are MEN1 and MEN2 with gene mutations on CHROMOSOME 11 and CHROMOSOME 10, respectively.	Adenomatosis, Familial Endocrine,Endocrine Neoplasia, Multiple,Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome,Neoplasia, Multiple Endocrine,Neoplasms, Multiple Endocrine,Adenomatosis, Multiple Endocrine,Familial Endocrine Adenomatosis,Multiple Endocrine Adenomatosis,Multiple Endocrine Adenopathy,Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes,Multiple Endocrine Neoplasms,Adenomatoses, Familial Endocrine,Adenomatoses, Multiple Endocrine,Adenopathies, Multiple Endocrine,Adenopathy, Multiple Endocrine,Endocrine Adenomatoses, Familial,Endocrine Adenomatoses, Multiple,Endocrine Adenomatosis, Familial,Endocrine Adenomatosis, Multiple,Endocrine Adenopathies, Multiple,Endocrine Adenopathy, Multiple,Endocrine Neoplasms, Multiple,Familial Endocrine Adenomatoses,Multiple Endocrine Adenomatoses,Multiple Endocrine Adenopathies
D009463	Neuroma	A tumor made up of nerve cells and nerve fibers. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Neuromas
D010673	Pheochromocytoma	A usually benign, well-encapsulated, lobular, vascular tumor of chromaffin tissue of the ADRENAL MEDULLA or sympathetic paraganglia. The cardinal symptom, reflecting the increased secretion of EPINEPHRINE and NOREPINEPHRINE, is HYPERTENSION, which may be persistent or intermittent. During severe attacks, there may be HEADACHE; SWEATING, palpitation, apprehension, TREMOR; PALLOR or FLUSHING of the face, NAUSEA and VOMITING, pain in the CHEST and ABDOMEN, and paresthesias of the extremities. The incidence of malignancy is as low as 5% but the pathologic distinction between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas is not clear. (Dorland, 27th ed; DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1298)	Pheochromocytoma, Extra-Adrenal,Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytoma,Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytomas,Pheochromocytoma, Extra Adrenal,Pheochromocytomas,Pheochromocytomas, Extra-Adrenal
D012008	Recurrence	The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission.	Recrudescence,Relapse,Recrudescences,Recurrences,Relapses
D002116	Calcitonin	A peptide hormone that lowers calcium concentration in the blood. In humans, it is released by thyroid cells and acts to decrease the formation and absorptive activity of osteoclasts. Its role in regulating plasma calcium is much greater in children and in certain diseases than in normal adults.	Thyrocalcitonin,Calcitonin(1-32),Calcitrin,Ciba 47175-BA,Eel Calcitonin,Calcitonin, Eel,Ciba 47175 BA,Ciba 47175BA
D002277	Carcinoma	A malignant neoplasm made up of epithelial cells tending to infiltrate the surrounding tissues and give rise to metastases. It is a histological type of neoplasm and not a synonym for "cancer."	Carcinoma, Anaplastic,Carcinoma, Spindle-Cell,Carcinoma, Undifferentiated,Carcinomatosis,Epithelial Neoplasms, Malignant,Epithelioma,Epithelial Tumors, Malignant,Malignant Epithelial Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Malignant Epithelial,Anaplastic Carcinoma,Anaplastic Carcinomas,Carcinoma, Spindle Cell,Carcinomas,Carcinomatoses,Epithelial Neoplasm, Malignant,Epithelial Tumor, Malignant,Epitheliomas,Malignant Epithelial Neoplasm,Malignant Epithelial Tumor,Malignant Epithelial Tumors,Neoplasm, Malignant Epithelial,Spindle-Cell Carcinoma,Spindle-Cell Carcinomas,Tumor, Malignant Epithelial,Undifferentiated Carcinoma,Undifferentiated Carcinomas
D005260	Female		Females