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Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Associated Endocrinopathies in Slovenia from 1995 to 2021
oleh: Sara Milicevic, Mateja Krajc, Ana Blatnik, Barbara Peric
| Format: | Article |
|---|---|
| Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2022-07-01 |
Deskripsi
Background: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare endocrine tumour that is sporadic in 75% of cases and occurs as a part of inherited cancer syndromes in approximately 25% of cases. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and type of <i>RET</i> pathogenic variants (PVs) in the Slovenian MTC patient population diagnosed between 1995 and 2021 and to elucidate the full range of associated endocrinopathies. Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records of 266 MTC patients and their relatives seen in a tertiary centre between 1995 and 2021 was performed. Sequence analysis of exons 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of the <i>RET</i> gene was analysed in most patients using Sanger sequencing. From 2017, the entire sequence of RET gene was analysed in most patients using targeted next-generation sequencing. Results: Germline PVs in the <i>RET</i> proto-oncogene were identified in 21.6% probands from 21 different MTC families. Of their tested relatives, 65% (67/103) were <i>RET</i>-positive and 35% (36/103) were <i>RET</i>-negative. PVs were detected in codon 618 and codon 634 in 28.6%, and in codon 790 in 23.8%. The <i>RET</i>-positive group consisted of 52 MTC patients, 13 patients with C cell hyperplasia and 2 individuals with neither. Associated endocrinopathies were diagnosed in 8/21 families: primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in six families and pheochromocytoma (PHEO) in five families. In 62% of <i>RET</i>-positive families (13/21), no associated endocrinopathies were diagnosed. PHEO was most commonly associated with C634R (6/13) and PHPT with C634R (4/7). Hirschsprung’s disease appeared in one patient with <i>RET</i> PV in codon 618. Based on data from the Cancer Registry of Republic of Slovenia, only individual cases of common cancers with well understood environmental risk factors were discovered; lung cancer in 2/21 of families, papillary thyroid cancer in 3/21 of families, cutaneous melanoma in 2/21 of families, cervical cancer in 1/21 families, and lymphoma in 1/21 families. Conclusions: Analysis of prospectively collected MTC cases during a 27-year period revealed that 21.6% of Slovenian patients are <i>RET</i> PV carriers. Sixty-two percent of families had none of the associated endocrinopathies, confirming the thesis that FMTC is the most common presentation. This could suggest using risk-stratified management approaches when screening for PHEO and PHPT in <i>RET</i> PV carriers. However, more studies are needed to evaluate potential genetic risk modifiers as well as safety, improved quality of life, and medical cost reduction in the case of a patient-oriented approach.