Medullary carcinoma of thyroid
Alternative Names
Thyroid - medullary carcinoma; Cancer - thyroid (medullary carcinoma); MTCTreatment
Treatment involves surgery to remove the thyroid gland and surrounding lymph nodes. Because this is an uncommon tumor, surgery should be performed by a surgeon who is familiar with this type of cancer.
Chemotherapy and radiation do not work very well for this type of cancer. Radiation is used in some patients after surgery. There are a number of new treatments currently being investigated in clinical trials.
Support Groups
For additional information, see cancer support groups.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Approximately 86% of those with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid live at least 5 years after diagnosis. The 10-year survival rate is 65%.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Cancer spreads to other areas of the body
- Parathyroid glands are accidentally removed during surgery
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.
References
Ball DW. Medullary thyroid cancer: monitoring and therapy.Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2007;36(3):823-37.
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