Early signs of medullary thyroid cancer and common symptoms

In this article, we examine what medullary thyroid cancer or MTC is, and the early signs and common symptoms. We also cover when to see a doctor and the outlook for people with this condition.

What is MTC?

The American Thyroid Association says that the disease is present in 1–2 percent of cancers of the thyroid in the United States. Elsewhere, a 2016 assessment put the prevalence of MTC at 3–5 percent of all thyroid cancers.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, immediately below the Adam’s apple.

MTC starts in specialized thyroid cells known as parafollicular cells, or C cells. These C cells release a hormone called calcitonin, which controls the levels of calcium in a person’s blood.

Unlike other types of thyroid cancer, MTC can sometimes run in families. When a person inherits MTC from a parent, it is known as familial medullary thyroid cancer (FMTC).

Nevertheless, around 75 percent of MTC cases are sporadic, which mean that the individual with the condition did not inherit it from a parent.

Anyone who notices a persistent lump or swelling just below the Adam’s apple should see a doctor, especially if the symptoms coincide with any of the following signs:

• unexplained hoarseness that does not go away after a while
• difficulty swallowing
• a sore throat that does not get better
• pain in the neck

However, not all neck lumps are cancer. Many other less severe conditions can cause a lump in the neck, such as swollen lymph nodes.

If a doctor suspects that the lump may be cancer, they will usually refer the person to a specialist for further testing.

Outlook

MTC usually progresses slowly. It is also a very treatable condition if caught early. According to a 2017 review, the 10-year survival rate for MTC is:

• 95 percent if cancer is only in the thyroid gland
• 75 percent if cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes in the neck
• 20 percent if cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, and bones

Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the entire thyroid gland and any affected lymph nodes near the thyroid gland. Following surgery, a person usually needs to take medication to replace the hormones the thyroid used to produce.

Other treatment options for MTC include radiation therapy if there is a risk of it returning, and chemotherapy if cancer has spread.

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