Medullary carcinoma of Thyroid is characterized by all, except –
**Question:** Medullary carcinoma of Thyroid is characterized by all, except -
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Parathyroid Adenoma
C. Thyroid Storm
D. Hypothyroidism
**Core Concept:** Medullary carcinoma of thyroid (MCT) is a rare malignancy that arises from parafollicular C cells in the thyroid gland. These cells secrete calcitonin, a hormone regulating calcium levels in the body.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
MCT is characterized by the following features:
1. **Hypercalcemia:** This is a crucial clinical sign in MCT, as the tumor produces excessive calcitonin, leading to hypercalcemia.
2. **Produces calcitonin:** As mentioned earlier, MCT is a malignancy arising from parafollicular C cells, which secrete calcitonin.
3. **Hypoparathyroidism:** This is due to the destruction of parathyroid glands by the tumor, leading to low parathyroid hormone levels and hypocalcemia.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. **Parathyroid Adenoma:** A parathyroid adenoma is a benign tumor arising from parathyroid glands, which typically causes hyperparathyroidism, not hypoparathyroidism.
B. **Thyroid Storm:** This is a life-threatening emergency characterized by severe thyrotoxicosis and does not specifically relate to MCT.
D. **Hypothyroidism:** Unlike MCT, hypothyroidism is a characteristic feature of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, another autoimmune thyroid disorder.
**Clinical Pearl:** MCT is essential to differentiate from other thyroid malignancies and autoimmune conditions to guide appropriate management, which includes surgical intervention, radioiodine therapy, and targeted therapy.
**Core Concept Overview:**
Medullary carcinoma of thyroid is a rare malignancy that arises from parafollicular C cells, producing calcitonin, leading to hypercalcemia. This tumor is characterized by hypercalcemia, hypoparathyroidism, and produces calcitonin. The correct answer, "Hypothyroidism", is incorrect because it is a characteristic feature of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a different thyroid disorder.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A) Parathyroid adenoma: Unlike MCT, parathyroid adenoma is a benign tumor arising from parathyroid glands, causing hyperparathyroidism, which is different from hypoparathyroidism seen in MCT.
B) Thyroid storm: This is a life-threatening emergency characterized by severe thyrotoxicosis and does not specifically relate to MCT.
C) Hypothyroidism: As mentioned earlier, this is a characteristic feature of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a different autoimmune thyroid disorder.
**Why Parathyroid Adenoma is Incorrect:**
A parathyroid adenoma is a benign tumor arising from parathyroid glands, which usually causes hyperparathyroidism, a condition distinct from