The shorter CAG repeat of the AR gene is associated with more severe CAD, which suggests a role for the sensitivity to androgens in the increased frequency of CAD in males. In addition, a protective role of endogenous oestrogen, which is higher in the longAR subgroup, can contribute to the observed difference.

In our study, we found that 7·75% patients with apparently sporadic MTC do carry G533C mutation involving exon 8 of ret. We feel that there is now a need to include exon 8 mutation screening in all patients diagnosed as sporadic MTC, in Greece.

No abstract

Mutations in the RET proto-oncogene have recently been recognized to be responsible for the inherited multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome. As expected, Greek patients with MEN2 and FMTC carry RET mutations similar to those of other ethnic groups. In those regions of the gene that were analyzed, mutations were detected in six out of six families with classical MEN2A, three out of five of the families with familial MTC, and one case with MEN2B. Presymptomatic screening using DNA analysis has now replaced calcitonin stimulation tests in the offspring of families where the mutation has been characterized. The use of these methods will improve the prognosis in MEN2 patients and will also reduce the psychological burden of risk for a potentially lethal disease on family members.