Which thyroid cancer is often bilateral?

Which thyroid cancer is often bilateral?

• A. Papillary
• B. Medullary
• C. Follicular
• D. Anaplastic

Answer: (B)

Medullary thyroid carcinoma is tied closely to hereditary syndromes (such as MEN2) caused by RET mutations. In these conditions, the cancer often involves both thyroid lobes, sometimes appearing multicentric, because the mutation predisposes the entire gland to develop tumors. This bilateral tendency is a hallmark of medullary disease in the familial setting, making it the most likely thyroid cancer to be found in both sides. The other cancers can be multifocal, but their bilateral involvement is less characteristic and not as strongly linked to a hereditary, bilateral pattern.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma is tied closely to hereditary syndromes (such as MEN2) caused by RET mutations. In these conditions, the cancer often involves both thyroid lobes, sometimes appearing multicentric, because the mutation predisposes the entire gland to develop tumors. This bilateral tendency is a hallmark of medullary disease in the familial setting, making it the most likely thyroid cancer to be found in both sides. The other cancers can be multifocal, but their bilateral involvement is less characteristic and not as strongly linked to a hereditary, bilateral pattern.