Screening for familial medullary thyroid carcinoma
Emmertsen, K.; Nielsen, H.E.; Hansen, H.H.; Elbrønd, O.; Mosekilde, L.
Danish Medical Bulletin 27(6): 262-265
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0907-8916 PMID: 7460633 Document Number: 160303
To disclose possible familial occurrence of MCT , 60 relatives of 16 patients formerly treated for MCT were examined. The investigation included determination of basal and pentagastrin stimulated serum immunoreactive calcitonin (S-iCT), serum Ca and 24 h urinary catecholamine excretion. Among the 16 MCT patients, 2 were related as 1st cousins and an additional relative was being treated at another institution for MCT. Thirteen asymptomatic relatives in this family were examined. S-iCT was elevated in 3, of whom 2 underwent thyroidectomy with the diagnosis of MCT being histologically verified. In the 3rd, surgery was not undertaken because of a heart disease. Pheochromocytomas or parathyroid adenomas were not found. The investigation of this family will be extended and regular control of family members at risk is necessary. Among relatives of the remaining 14 patients, no evidence suggested the presence of MCT or other manifestations of MEA, and MCT in these patients was considered sporadic.