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Does Familial Non-Medullary Thyroid Cancer Adversely Affect Survival?

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Abstract

Background

Familial non-medullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC) is associated with a higher rate of multifocality and a higher recurrence rate than sporadic thyroid cancer. However, the effect of FNMTC on life expectancy is unknown.

Material and Methods

Using data from our FNMTC database, we calculated life expectancy and survival rates after diagnosis of FNMTC and compared the results with the rates for unaffected family members and for the standard US population. Overall life expectancy and survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. We compared patients from families with 2 affected members with patients from families with ≥3 affected members. We also compared patients diagnosed in a known familial setting (index cases and subsequent cases) with patients diagnosed before the familial setting was recognized.

Results

There were 139 affected patients with 757 unaffected family members. The mean age at diagnosis was 40.8 ± 13.9 years and the mean follow-up time was 9.4 ± 11.7 years. Ten patients died of thyroid cancer during follow-up. The life expectancy of patients with FNMTC was similar to that of their unaffected family members. Survival was significantly shorter for patients with 3 or more affected family members, for patients diagnosed before the familial setting was recognized, and for patients with anaplastic cancer.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that FNMTC may be more aggressive than sporadic thyroid cancer, particularly in families with 3 or more affected members. However, when recognized and treated appropriately, it does not significantly shorten the overall life expectancy of the affected patients.

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Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Pamela Derish for her very helpful editorial comments on this manuscript. We would also like to thank all of the physicians who collaborated with us by sending samples for genetic testing (S. Adams, MD, J. Attie, MD, O. Davis, MD, P. Detwiler, MD, C. Greenlee, MD, R. Harmick, MD, R. Komorn, MD, C. Lykins, MD, B. Miscall, MD, J.L. Ponce Marco, MD, J.A. Recabaren, MD, G. Zenger, MD), the Friends of Endocrine Surgery, the Jerrold Heller Family Foundation, the Helen and Sanford Diller Foundation, and the Albert G. Clark Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrine Surgical Oncology, UCSF / Mount Zion Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 94143-1674, USA

    Mariwil Wong BS, Cord Sturgeon MD, Nadine Caron MD, Electron Kebebew MD, Quan-Yang Duh MD & Orlo H. Clark MD

  2. Advanced Research Technologies, Applied Biosystems, 850 Lincoln Center Drive, MS 447, Foster City, CA, 94404-1105, USA

    Frederic Triponez MD & David G. Ginzinger PhD

  3. Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0560, USA

    Mark R. Segal PhD

  4. Thoracic and Endocrine Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Rue Micheli-du-Crest 24, Geneva 14, 1211, Switzerland

    Frederic Triponez MD

Authors
  1. Frederic Triponez MD
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  2. Mariwil Wong BS
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  3. Cord Sturgeon MD
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  4. Nadine Caron MD
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  5. David G. Ginzinger PhD
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  6. Mark R. Segal PhD
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  7. Electron Kebebew MD
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  8. Quan-Yang Duh MD
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  9. Orlo H. Clark MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frederic Triponez MD.

Additional information

Frederic Triponez, MD, is supported in part by a grant from the University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland.

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Triponez, F., Wong, M., Sturgeon, C. et al. Does Familial Non-Medullary Thyroid Cancer Adversely Affect Survival?. World J. Surg. 30, 787–793 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-005-0398-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-005-0398-x

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