Medullary thyroid carcinoma in the background of non-neoplastic toxic nodular goiter
Document Type
Case Report
Department
Diabetes/Endocrinology and Metabolism
Abstract
Background/objective: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is an uncommon thyroid cancer (TC), rarely found in hyperfunctioning goiter.
Case report: We present a case of a woman treated for breast carcinoma (BCA) found to have a benign hyperfunctioning nodular goiter, its likely transformation to MTC, and its treatment. Family history revealed papillary thyroid cancer in her nephew.
Discussion: Most TCs in hyperfunctioning nodules are differentiated carcinomas. Familial MTC or MTC in association with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 is the expected genetic association in this case.
Conclusion: The association of BCA and MTC may have been coincidental, given the high prevalence of BCA in females. It could have been the result of a common genetic precursor of both tumors and/or treatment modality such as external beam radiation therapy used to treat BCA. This case highlights the importance of considering MTC as a potential diagnosis even in cases of hyperfunctioning nodular goiter. We call for consideration of calcitonin level measurement in the workup of thyroid nodules in select cases. Close follow-up of thyroid nodules, particularly in patients with another primary malignancy, is important because of possible common genotype triggers.
Publication (Name of Journal)
AACE Clinical Case Reports
DOI
10.1016/j.aace.2024.08.008
Recommended Citation
Rizwan, A.,
Saad, M.,
Fatima, S.,
Ameen, A.,
Akhtar, S.
(2024). Medullary thyroid carcinoma in the background of non-neoplastic toxic nodular goiter. AACE Clinical Case Reports, 10(6), 249-252.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_med_diabet_endocrinol_metab/129