Two cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare thyroid malignancy but accounts for a significant mortality. We present 2 cases of MTC and review the literature regarding its management and genetic screening.

CLINICAL PICTURE

Patient 1 presented after a routine health screening and subsequently was found to have a germline mutation for MEN 2A. Patient 2 presented with sweating irritability and a thyroid mass which illustrates the progressive relentless nature of the disease and highlights current imaging practice.

TREATMENT

Both patients underwent extensive surgery and received postoperatively ablative dose of radioactive iodine. Patient 2 also had a large dose I-131 MIBG therapy and further surgery.

OUTCOME

In Patient 1, postoperative calcitonins remained elevated indicating residual disease. Patient 2 underwent further radioguided surgery; however, his postoperative calcitonins remained elevated.

CONCLUSION

MTC can be relentless. Routine genetic screening of all patients with MTC, Tc-99m pentavalent (V) DMSA imaging, near total thyroidectomy with routine central neck dissections and removal of all lymph nodes in the central neck compartment should be performed.