Etymed
medullary thyroid carcinoma
Definition
A type of thyroid cancer that arises from the parafollicular C cells of the thyroid gland, which produce calcitonin
Clinical context
A 55-year-old woman presents with a neck mass and elevated calcitonin levels. She has a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome. Physical examination reveals a firm thyroid nodule. Fine needle aspiration shows malignant cells that stain positively for calcitonin. This patient has medullary thyroid carcinoma, which is distinct from papillary thyroid cancer because it arises from parafollicular C cells rather than follicular cells.
Mnemonic
MEN2 causes Medullary carcinoma with Calcitonin elevation
These morphemes also unlock…
- medull/o — marrow; inner part
- ary — relating to
- thyroid — shield
- carcin/o — cancer
- oma — tumor; mass