title: Prophylactic thyroidectomy in the treatment of thyroid medullary carcinoma. Age for surgery?
abstract: Since the association of RET proto-oncogene mutations and medullary thyroid carcinoma in children there has been much discussion regarding timing of surgery. Our study group was formed from a brother and sister (8 and 5) and 3 brothers (9, 13, 16) selected on the basis of a positive family history for thyroid medullary carcinoma. Histological examinations of the thyroidectomy specimens showed that the 8- and 9-year old had microinvasive carcinoma and the remaining three had C-cell hyperplasia. Our recommendation is for prophylactic thyroidectomy for children with RET proto oncogene mutations at an early age, clearly before age 5.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hassett
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costigan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McDermott
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018813:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery*; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013965:Thyroidectomy