The rare intracellular RET mutation p.Ser891Ala in an apparently sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

SUMMARYMedullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a malignant tumor originating from parafollicular C-cells and accounts for 4-10% of all thyroid carcinomas. MTC develops in either sporadic (75%) or hereditary form (25%). Mutations in the RET proto-oncogene are responsible for hereditary MTC and the rate of heritable disease among apparently sporadic MTC (sMTC) cases varies from 6 to 15%. RET genetic testing is now considered fundamental in MTC management but the extent of the molecular analysis required to exclude inherited disease is still controversial. While the screening of all known mutation loci is recommended by some authors, the high costs associated with a full analysis should be also taken into consideration. Here, we illustrate and discuss this controversial issue by reporting a patient who present all characteristic features of sMTC, and in whom a standard genetic analysis by restriction enzyme restriction excluded hereditary disease. Nevertheless, an extensive molecular analysis that included all codons was prompted by the diagnosis of thyroid neoplasm in a patient's sister, and identified the rare intracellular RET p.Ser891Ala mutation. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(8):586-91 SUMÁRIO O carcinoma medular de tireoide (CMT) é um tumor maligno originado das células C parafoliculares e corresponde a 4-10% de todos os carcinomas de tireoide. O CMT se desenvolve ou de forma esporádica (75%) ou hereditária (25%). As mutações no proto-oncogene RET são responsáveis pelo CMT hereditário, e a ocorrência de doença hereditária entre casos aparentemente esporádicos de CMT varia de 6 a 15%. A avaliação genética do RET é considerada fundamental no manejo do CMT, mas a extensão de análise molecular necessária para se excluir a doença hereditária ainda é controversa. Embora a avaliação de todos os loci de mutação conhecidos seja recomendada por alguns autores, os altos custos associados com a análise completa devem ser considerados. Neste relato, ilustramos e discutimos esse assunto controverso por meio do caso de um paciente que apresentou todas as características clássicas de CMT esporádico e no qual a análise genética por restrição enzimática excluiu a doença hereditária. No entanto, devido ao diagnóstico de uma neoplasia de tireoide em uma irmã do paciente, foi indicada uma análise molecular mais extensa que identificou a rara mutação intracelular p.Ser891Ala no proto-oncogene RET. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(8):586-91

Special issue on molecular genetics in endocrinology

“…(18) describe an interesting case in which the two types of multiple endocrine neoplasm coexist, and discuss the genetic findings associated with this condition, whereas multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 is revisited by Blom and cols. (19) in a description of the rare S891A RET mutation in a patient with medullary thyroid carcinoma. In addition, genetic studies in oncogenic osteomalacia by Chang and cols.…”