title: Running in the family: A rare diagnosis of familial papillary thyroid cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Whilst inherited medullary thyroid cancer has been extensively reported, familial non-medullary thyroid cancer is a rare and less well described clinical entity. Familial forms of the disease demonstrate more aggressive features than sporadic non-medullary thyroid cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 54 year old lady was referred with globus on a background of a longstanding goitre. Three first degree relatives had a history of non-medullary thyroid carcinoma. Investigations revealed a papillary thyroid carcinoma and the patient proceeded to total thyroidectomy and ipsilateral Level VI neck dissection, followed by adjuvant radioiodine ablation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Familial papillary thyroid carcinoma syndrome is defined as three or more first degree relatives diagnosed with the disease in the absence of other known associated syndromes. It is often associated with the presence of benign thyroid disorders, and is characterised by the early onset of multi-focal bilateral locally advanced tumours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Familial papillary thyroid cancer is a rare clinical entity but should be considered where ≥3 first degree relatives are diagnosed with non-medullary thyroid cancer. It is necessary to exclude other familial tumour syndromes to make the diagnosis. It demonstrates more aggressive features with higher rates of local recurrence than its sporadic counterpart, and therefore mandates more aggressive management than might otherwise be indicated. Screening of first degree relatives should be considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The case of a 54 year old female diagnosed with familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma is reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine Surgery, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland. Electronic address: Lauren.O-Connell@ucdconnect.ie.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine Surgery, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Prichard
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine Surgery, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skehan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine Surgery, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: McDermott