The biology of thyroid oncogenesis

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, our understanding of the molecular biology of thyroid cancer has advanced significantly. These new insights have in turn unleashed a vast potential for clinical application across the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic spectrum. A classic example of this is the identification of the RET proto-oncogene responsible for hereditary medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), which has led to earlier diagnosis by genetic screening, and thus better patient outcomes. It is one of the few hereditary cancers for which at-risk individuals can be identified by genetic testing and be advised a prophylactic thyroidectomy, as they will certainly develop MTC over their lifetime. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.