Medullary carcinoma

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
Philadelphia GLP-1 weight loss and GLP-1 clinic NYC

Medullary carcinoma
Micrograph of medullary thyroid carcinoma
Synonyms	Medullary thyroid carcinoma
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Neck mass, hoarseness, dysphagia, diarrhea
Complications	Metastasis, paraneoplastic syndrome
Onset	Typically in adulthood
Duration	Long-term
Types	Sporadic, familial
Causes	Genetic mutation in the RET proto-oncogene
Risks	Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
Diagnosis	Fine needle aspiration, ultrasound, calcitonin levels
Differential diagnosis	Papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma
Prevention	Prophylactic thyroidectomy in high-risk individuals
Treatment	Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy
Medication	Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Prognosis	Variable, depends on stage and spread
Frequency	Rare, 3-5% of all thyroid cancer cases
Deaths	N/A

Medullary carcinoma is a type of cancer that originates from the medulla of various organs. It is most commonly associated with the thyroid gland, but can also occur in the breast, colon, and other organs.

Introduction

Medullary carcinoma is a distinct type of cancer that is characterized by the production of calcitonin, a hormone that helps regulate calcium levels in the body. This type of cancer is often associated with certain genetic syndromes, such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2).

Types

There are several types of medullary carcinoma, including:

• Medullary thyroid carcinoma: This is the most common type of medullary carcinoma. It accounts for about 4% of all thyroid cancers and is often associated with MEN2.
• Medullary breast carcinoma: This is a rare type of breast cancer that is characterized by a distinct cellular pattern.
• Medullary colon carcinoma: This is a rare type of colon cancer that is often associated with a better prognosis than other types of colon cancer.

Symptoms

The symptoms of medullary carcinoma can vary depending on the organ affected. Common symptoms can include a lump in the neck (for thyroid medullary carcinoma), changes in bowel habits (for colon medullary carcinoma), or changes in the breast (for breast medullary carcinoma).

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of medullary carcinoma often involves a combination of physical examination, imaging tests, and biopsy. Genetic testing may also be performed, particularly for individuals with a family history of medullary carcinoma or MEN2.

Treatment

Treatment for medullary carcinoma typically involves surgery to remove the tumor. Additional treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, may also be used depending on the stage and location of the cancer.

Prognosis

The prognosis for medullary carcinoma can vary depending on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the individual's overall health. Early detection and treatment can improve the prognosis.