calcitonin

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare tumor representing 5–10% of thyroid cancers, with a 10-year survival rate is about 50–75%. It arises from a particular thyroid cell type: the parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid which secrete calcitonin (CT). Serum CT is a very sensitive and specific method for diagnosing MTC, however, the potential role of calcitonin receptor (CTR) expression on tumor aggressiveness and prognosis remained to be explored.

Authors and affiliations:
Maria João Bugalho 1,2,3, Deolinda Madureira 4, Rita Domingues 2, Teresa Pereira 5 and Luísa Cortez 6

1 Endocrinology Service, Portuguese Institute of Oncology Francisco Gentil EPE, Lisbon, Portugal.

2 Research Unit of Molecular Pathobiology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology Francisco Gentil EPE, Lisbon, Portugal.

3 University Clinic of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.