medullary colon carcinoma

Description

Medullary thyroid cancer, also known as medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, is a rare type of cancer that affects the thyroid gland.

Causes and Risk Factors Medullary thyroid cancer is caused by mutations in the RET gene, which can be inherited or acquired. It makes up about 5% of all cases of thyroid cancer and is very different from the more common papillary and follicular thyroid cancers [7].

Symptoms The symptoms of medullary thyroid cancer can vary, but they often include:

  • A visible lump (nodule) in the thyroid gland
  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • Hoarseness or enlarged lymph nodes that do not go away
  • Bone pain
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Enlargement of the thyroid gland [4]

Characteristics Medullary thyroid cancer is a neuroendocrine tumor that arises from the C cells of the thyroid, which do not accumulate radioiodine but do secrete calcitonin (Ctn) [6]. It can invade soft tissue, the breathing tube and swallowing tube, and extensively involve lymph nodes. Recurrent or metastatic malignant neoplasm affecting the thyroid gland is a possible outcome if left untreated [10].

Diagnosis Medullary thyroid cancer is diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, imaging studies (such as ultrasound or CT scans), and laboratory tests to measure calcitonin levels.

It's worth noting that medullary thyroid cancer is often associated with other conditions, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome. If you have any concerns about your health or suspect you may be at risk for medullary thyroid cancer, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional.

References: [1] - [10] are citations from the search results provided in the context block above.

Additional Characteristics

  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Bone pain
  • A visible lump (nodule) in the thyroid gland
  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • Hoarseness or enlarged lymph nodes that do not go away
  • Enlargement of the thyroid gland

Signs and Symptoms

I couldn't find any information on "medullary colon carcinoma" as it seems to be a non-existent medical term. However, I can provide you with information on the symptoms of medullary thyroid cancer, which is a type of cancer that affects the thyroid gland.

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) typically presents as a lump or nodule in the thyroid gland. Some common symptoms include:

  • Swelling in the neck near the thyroid gland
  • A new lump in the neck or throat
  • Hoarseness of voice or difficulty swallowing due to the tumor blocking the vocal chords
  • Coughing, especially if the tumor is pressing on the airways
  • Diarrhea or constipation due to high levels of calcitonin hormone

It's worth noting that many patients with MTC do not experience any symptoms until the cancer has progressed. If you are looking for information on colon cancer, I'd be happy to provide you with information on its signs and symptoms.

References:

  • [2] Common symptoms of MTC can include swelling in the neck near the thyroid gland, which corresponds to enlarged lymph nodes.
  • [3] Some patients may notice a new lump in the neck or throat. Rarely, patients may feel a lump in throat with swallowing, new hoarseness of voice, or new cough.
  • [7] Symptoms · Swelling of the neck · Hoarseness · Breathing problems due to narrowing of airways · Cough · Cough with blood · Diarrhea due to high calcitonin level ...

Additional Symptoms

  • Swelling in the neck near the thyroid gland
  • A new lump in the neck or throat
  • Hoarseness of voice or difficulty swallowing
  • Coughing, especially if the tumor is pressing on the airways
  • Diarrhea or constipation due to high levels of calcitonin hormone

Diagnostic Tests

Medullary colon carcinoma (MCC) is a rare subtype of colorectal cancer that requires accurate diagnosis for effective treatment. Diagnostic tests play a crucial role in identifying MCC, and here are some of the key tests used:

  • Immunohistochemical staining: This test helps to differentiate MCC from other types of colorectal cancers. MCC typically displays negative chromogranin and synaptophysin staining, unlike neuroendocrine tumors (NET) [9].
  • Morphological diagnosis: Due to its atypical histopathological presentation, immunohistochemical staining and morphological diagnosis are needed for accurate diagnosis [2][10].
  • Clinical features: The diagnosis of MCC includes clinical features of a lower gastrointestinal tumor, imaging or direct visualization, elevated tumor markers, and other symptoms [7].

It's worth noting that the diagnosis of MCC can be challenging due to its rarity and atypical presentation. A combination of these diagnostic tests, along with careful evaluation by a healthcare professional, is essential for accurate diagnosis.

References: [2] Z Fatima · 2021 · Cited by 10 — [7] J CUNNINGHAM · 2014 · Cited by 17 — [9] S Mudrinich · 2022 — [10] Z Fatima · 2021 · Cited by 10 —

Additional Diagnostic Tests

  • Clinical features
  • Immunohistochemical staining
  • Morphological diagnosis

Treatment

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) can be treated with various drug therapies in addition to surgery.

  • Dacarbazine: This is one of the most commonly used chemotherapy agents for MTC, and it has been shown to be effective in treating the disease [3][4].
  • Targeted therapy: Targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have also been explored as a treatment option for MTC. These drugs work by targeting specific proteins involved in cancer cell growth and survival [5].
  • Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy may also be used to treat MTC, particularly if the disease has spread to other parts of the body [4].

It's worth noting that while these drug therapies can be effective, they are often used in combination with surgery and/or radiation therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

References:

[3] by JE Maxwell · 2014 · Cited by 57 — Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and dacarbazine (DTIC) are the two agents with the most extensive track record, and dacarbazine is currently recommended as a treatment for medullary thyroid cancer.

[4] Medullary thyroid cancer can be treated with surgery, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and chemotherapy.

[5] by BH Kim · 2016 · Cited by 56 — MTC can be cured only by complete resection of the thyroid tumor and any loco-regional metastases. The most appropriate treatment is still less clear in cases where the disease has spread to other parts of the body, but targeted therapies may offer a potential option.

Recommended Medications

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Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis of Medullary Colon Carcinoma

Medullary colon carcinoma (MCC) is a rare subtype of colorectal cancer, and its differential diagnosis can be challenging due to its unique histological features. Based on the available literature, the following conditions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of MCC:

  • Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma: This is a very rare condition in the colon, characterized by the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBER) positivity [3].
  • Neuroendocrine carcinoma: This type of cancer often exhibits organoid morphology and can be positive for neuroendocrine markers [5].
  • Poorly differentiated colorectal adenocarcinoma: MCC shares some histological features with this condition, making it a challenging differential diagnosis [2, 7, 8].
  • Colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC): NEC is another type of cancer that can be considered in the differential diagnosis of MCC, especially when organoid morphology is present [5].

Clinical Features and Imaging

In addition to these histological considerations, the clinical features and imaging findings should also be taken into account. The diagnosis of MCC includes clinical features of a lower gastrointestinal tumor, imaging or direct visualization, elevated tumor markers, and other supportive evidence [4].

References:

  • [1] Z Fatima · 2021 · Cited by 10 — Medullary carcinoma (MC) of the colon is a rare subtype of colon carcinoma which includes poorly differentiated and undifferentiated histology.
  • [2] B Winn · 2009 · Cited by 105 — Medullary carcinoma (MC) of the large intestine is a distinct entity that needs to be differentiated from poorly differentiated colorectal carcinoma (PDC).
  • [3] Jun 21, 2024 — Differential diagnosis. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma: Very rare in colon; EBER+.
  • [4] by J CUNNINGHAM · 2014 · Cited by 17 — The diagnosis of medullary carcinoma of the colon includes clinical features of a lower gastrointestinal tumor, imaging or direct visualization, elevated tumor ...
  • [5] by IY CHEN · 2021 · Cited by 3 — Besides SCC, other differential diagnosis to be considered in our case includes colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), which often exhibits organoid ...
  • [6] by AM Blakely · 2021 · Cited by 1 — Medullary histology closely resembles microsatellite-unstable poorly differentiated colon adenocarcinoma with pathologic features of local ...
  • [7] by A Mitchell · 2014 · Cited by 8 — ... tumor [6]. The differential diagnosis of MC includes poorly differentiated colorectal adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma and ...
  • [8] by Z Fatima · 2021 · Cited by 10 — Medullary carcinoma (MC) of the colon is a rare subtype of colon carcinoma which includes poorly differentiated and undifferentiated histology.
  • [9] by C Colarossi · 2021 · Cited by 3 — Medullary carcinoma of the colon is a rare histological variant characterized by a poorly differentiated morphology, an aberrant immunophenotype, and ...
  • [10] by M Wakasugi · 2017 · Cited by 5 — Because the clinical findings are not specific, the differential diagnosis should include acute appendicitis, cholecystitis, cecal diverticulitis, perforated ...

Additional Differential Diagnoses

Additional Information

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It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with questions about your medical condition.