Can Genomic Screening Aid Early Detection of Thyroid Cancer?
In patients with RET gene variants, genomic screening was found to ease early detection of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), revealed a new Geisinger study.
Incidence of Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Medullary thyroid cancer accounts for 2% to 5% of all thyroid cancers and is responsible for 13% of all deaths related to thyroid cancer. About one-quarter of MTC cases are hereditary and can be attributed to variants in the RET gene.
The Geisinger study evaluated 75 patients who were found to have RET gene variants as part of the MyCode Community Health Initiative. None of the patients had any symptoms of thyroid cancer prior to receiving these genetic results. Twenty of these patients chose to have a thyroidectomy after learning of the RET variant; 13 also had lymph nodes removed. Of the 20 patients who chose to have surgery, cancer was detected in 12. Two additional patients had C-cell hyperplasia, a known precursor to MTC. The results were published in JAMA Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer Genetics
"It is possible that some patients in the study chose not to have surgery due to an absence of symptoms at the time of detection, or were hesitant to act upon a potential risk," said Nicholas Purdy, D.O., FACS, director of head and neck surgery in Geisinger's department of otolaryngology and a lead author of the study. "It is important to further identify barriers to care and make sure that all patients receive the information they need to make informed decisions about their care."‘In around 60% of patients with RET gene variants who had their thyroid removed, the occurrence of medullary thyroid cancer was observed.’
"Genomic screening through MyCode allows us to find previously unrecognized risks for cancer and other serious diseases and intervene early," said Adam Buchanan, M.S., MPH, chair of Geisinger's Department of Genomic Health and a co-author of the study. "But it also compels us to support patients and clinicians throughout the process and conduct research that improves the likelihood of positive health outcomes for patients and families."
Source: Eurekalert