The American journal of medicine
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Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) have been significant, but some issues remain controversial. MTC may occur either as a hereditary or a nonhereditary entity. Hereditary MTC can occur either alone--familial MTC (FMTC)--or as the thyroid manifestation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) syndromes (MEN 2A and MEN 2B). ⋯ Radiation therapy is reserved for skeletal metastasis or nonresectable metastatic MTC. Efficacy of current chemotherapy programs is not well established. Overall, the 10-year survival rates are approximately 65%.