Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in Seniors: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Guide
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Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in Seniors: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Guide

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Published: July 21, 2026 | Last Reviewed: July 21, 2026 | Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, Geriatrics | Reading Time: 5 min




Key Takeaways

  • Understanding medullary thyroid carcinoma seniors is important for seniors and their caregivers.
  • MTC often begins as a small lump (nodule) in the thyroid gland.
  • Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history.
  • Treatment involves surgery to remove the thyroid gland and surrounding lymph nodes.
  • You can ease the stress of an illness by joining a

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Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is cancer of the thyroid gland that starts in cells that release a hormone called calcitonin. These cells are called “C” cells. The thyroid gland is located inside the front of your lower neck.

What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?

Understanding medullary thyroid carcinoma seniors is important for seniors and their caregivers. the cause of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MTC) is unknown. MTC is very rare. It can occur in children and adults.

Unlike other types of thyroid cancer, MTC is less likely to be caused by radiation therapy to the neck given to treat other cancers during childhood.

There are two forms of MTC:

  • Sporadic MTC, which does not run in families. Most MTCs are sporadic. This form mainly affects older adults.
  • Hereditary MTC, which runs in families.

You have an increased risk for this type of cancer if you have:

  • A family history of MTC
  • A family history of

    multiple endocrine neoplasia

    (MEN)

  • A prior history of

    pheochromocytoma

    , mucosal neuromas,

    hyperparathyroidism

    or pancreatic endocrine tumors

Other types of thyroid cancer include:

  • Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid

  • Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid

  • Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid

  • Thyroid

    lymphoma

What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?

MTC often begins as a small lump (nodule) in the thyroid gland. There also may be

lymph node swelling

in the neck. As a result, symptoms may include:

  • Swelling of the neck
  • Hoarseness

  • Breathing problems

    due to narrowing of airways

  • Cough

  • Cough with blood

  • Diarrhea due to high calcitonin level
📖 What Are Exams and Tests?

What Are Exams and Tests?

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history.

Tests that may be used to diagnose MTC include:

  • Calcitonin

    blood test

  • CEA

    blood test

  • Genetic testing

  • Thyroid biopsy

  • Ultrasound of the thyroid

    and the lymph nodes of the neck

  • PET scan

People with MTC should be checked for certain other tumors, especially pheochromocytoma and parathyroid tumors and parathyroid tumors.

📖 How Is It Treated?

How Is It Treated?

Treatment involves surgery to remove the thyroid gland and surrounding lymph nodes. Because this is an uncommon tumor, surgery should be performed by a surgeon who is familiar with this type of cancer and experienced with the operation required.

Further treatment will depend on your calcitonin levels. A rise in calcitonin levels again may indicate new growth of the cancer.

  • Chemotherapy

    and

    radiation

    do not work very well for this type of cancer.

  • Radiation is used in some people after surgery.
  • Newer

    targeted therapies

    may reduce tumor growth also. Your provider can tell you more about these, if needed.

Near relatives of people diagnosed with hereditary forms of MTC are at increased risk of this cancer and should discuss it with their providers.

📖 What Are Support Groups?

What Are Support Groups?

You can ease the stress of an illness by joining a

cancer support group

. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

📖 What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?

What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?

Most people with MTC live at least 5 years after diagnosis, depending upon the stage of the cancer. The 10-year survival rate is 65%.

📖 What Are Possible Complications?

What Are Possible Complications?

Complications may include:

  • Cancer spreads to other areas of the body
  • Parathyroid glands are accidentally removed during surgery
📖 When to Contact a Medical Professional?

When to Contact a Medical Professional?

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of MTC.

📖 How Is It Prevented?

How Is It Prevented?

Prevention may not be possible. But, being aware of your risk factors, especially your family history, may allow for early diagnosis and treatment. For people who have a very strong family history of MTC, the option to remove the thyroid gland may be recommended. You should carefully discuss this option with a doctor who is very familiar with the disease.

Thyroid – medullary carcinoma; Cancer – thyroid (medullary carcinoma); MTC; Thyroid nodule – medullary

  • Thyroid cancer - CT scan

    Thyroid cancer – CT scan

  • Thyroid gland

    Thyroid gland

Asban A, Patel AJ, Reddy S, Wang T, Balentine CJ, Chen H. Cancer of the endocrine system. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds.

Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology

. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 68.

Kim M, Kim BH. Current guidelines for management of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Endocrinol Metab

. 2021;36(3):514-524. PMID: 34154310

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34154310/

.

National Cancer Institute website. Thyroid cancer treatment (PDQ) – health professional version.

www.cancer.gov/types/thyroid/hp/thyroid-treatment-pdq

. Updated May 9, 2025. Accessed April 1, 2026.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN guidelines): thyroid carcinoma. Version 1.2025.

www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/thyroid.pdf

. Updated March 27, 2025. Accessed March 31, 2026.

Pearce EN, Hollenberg AN. Thyroid. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds.

Goldman-Cecil Medicine

. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 207.

Updated by: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.


  • Thyroid Cancer

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

Understanding medullary thyroid carcinoma seniors is important for seniors and their caregivers. MTC often begins as a small lump (nodule) in the thyroid gland. Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history.

What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?

Understanding medullary thyroid carcinoma seniors is important for seniors and their caregivers. the cause of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MTC) is unknown. MTC is very rare.

What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?

MTC often begins as a small lump (nodule) in the thyroid gland. There also may be

lymph node swelling

in the neck. As a result, symptoms may include:

Swelling of the neck

Hoarseness

Breathing problems

due to narrowing of airways

Cough

Cough with blood

Diarrhea due to high calcitonin level

📖 What Are Exams and Tests?

What Are Exams and Tests?

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Tests that may be used to diagnose MTC include:

Calcitonin

blood test

CEA

blood test

Genetic testing

Thyroid biopsy

Ultrasound of the thyroid

and the lymph nodes of the neck

PET scan

People with MTC should be checked for certain other tumors, especially pheochromocytoma and parathyroid tumors and parathyroid tumors. 📖 How Is It Treated?

How Is It Treated?

Treatment involves surgery to remove the thyroid gland and surrounding lymph nodes. Because this is an uncommon tumor, surgery should be performed by a surgeon who is familiar with this type of cancer and experienced with the operation required. Further treatment will depend on your calcitonin levels.

About the Author: This article was researched and written by the SilverWell Hub editorial team. It was medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, Geriatrics.

Sources: This article is adapted from MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. See our full Medical Disclaimer.

Published: July 21, 2026 | Next review: January 2027