Progression of diagnosis and treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: To review and summarize recent update on preoperative diagnostic criteria, treatment and postoperative follow-up for medullary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: The relevant literatures and guidelines about medullary thyroid carcinoma were analyzed and summarized. Results: In the early stages of the disease radical surgery still dominated. Ultrasound results suggested that prophylactic lateral neck dissection was required for patients with high risk factors or high levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and calcitonin need prophylactic. Early hereditary medullary carcinoma could receive prophylactic thyroidectomy based on RET gene test results. Advanced progressive medullary thyroid carcinoma could be treated with palliative surgery,molecular targeted drugs and chemotherapy. Conclusions: The prognosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma is poor and lymph node metastasis is easy to occur early. The extent of initial operation should be enough. Locally advanced or distant metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma can be treated with palliative surgery,molecular targeted drugs and chemotherapy.