Medullary thyroid carcinoma: a review of 19 cases

ABSTRACT

Ninteen patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma were referred for further management following surgery to NEMROCK during the period 1985 to 1989. Nine patients were males and 10 were females with male to female ratio of 1 1.1. The mean age was 49 years with an age range of 28 - 75 years. Seventy four percent of all patients presented by a painless swelling in front of the neck. Two patients had associated endocrinopathies. Total thyroidectomy was performed for 11 patients, hemithyroidectomy for 5 patients and only biopsy for 3 patients with advanced disease. Post-operative irradiation was given for patients who had hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy without neck dissection. In this study, post-operative irradiation given to patients subjected to less extensive surgery was found as effective as total thyroidectomy and neck dissection in controlling the locoregional disease [mean follow-up period 30 months] 67% versus 75%, respectively