What is Familial Medullary Cancer of the Thyroid?
In the case of the familial medullary cancers over 80% of patients have an abnormality in chromosome 10 that consists of germline mutations in the RET gene. Molecular testing of relatives allows individuals to be screened and to predict who will develop cancer. This allows prophylactic surgery to be performed on children with the mutations. The familial MEN type 2A is associated with tumours in other organs (parathyroid and adrenal). The familial MEN type 2B is associated with adrenal tumours and a tall stature with long arms (Marfan habitus). Familial non-MEN is a familial form of medullary cancer with no involvement of other organs.
