Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in Patients with Graves' Disease-A Case Series and Literature Review

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland, leading to systemic manifestations such as hyperthyroidism, Graves' orbitopathy, and pretibial myxedema. Contrary to previous beliefs that hyperthyroidism protects against thyroid cancer, recent studies reveal an i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical medicine 2024-08, Vol.13 (15), p.4391
Main Authors: Popa, Oana, Balaș, Melania, Golu, Ioana, Amzăr, Daniela, Varcuș, Flore, Cornianu, Mărioara, Iacob, Mihaela, Popa, Valentin-Tudor, Vlad, Mihaela
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Antiarrhythmics
Antibodies
Anticoagulants
Blood pressure
Care and treatment
Complications and side effects
Diagnosis
Dysphagia
Endocrinology
Family medical history
Females
Graves disease
Heart rate
Hyperthyroidism
Immunoassay
Laboratories
Metastasis
Patients
Surgery
Thyroid cancer
Ultrasonic imaging
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Summary:Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland, leading to systemic manifestations such as hyperthyroidism, Graves' orbitopathy, and pretibial myxedema. Contrary to previous beliefs that hyperthyroidism protects against thyroid cancer, recent studies reveal an increased incidence of thyroid malignancies in GD patients, particularly differentiated thyroid carcinomas and, in rare cases, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). This case series presents three female GD patients diagnosed with MTC, highlighting the complexities of diagnosis and management. All patients exhibited thyroid nodules with suspicious ultrasonographic features, elevated plasma calcitonin levels, and required total thyroidectomy. Histological examination confirmed MTC. These cases underscore the importance of routine calcitonin screening in GD patients with thyroid nodules to facilitate early detection and improve prognosis. Our findings suggest that while the coexistence of GD and MTC is likely incidental, vigilant monitoring and comprehensive evaluation are crucial for timely intervention. This study advocates for integrating calcitonin testing into the standard diagnostic protocol for GD patients presenting with thyroid abnormalities.
ISSN:2077-0383
2077-0383
DOI:10.3390/jcm13154391