[Familial papillary carcinoma of the thyroid: biogenetic identification and clinical assessment of 4 families].

The Authors report 9 patients who were affected by familial papillary carcinoma of thyroid These patients were members of 4 families and they were selected in a general group of 97 patients affected by papillary cancer of the thyroid who underwent surgery from 1991 to 1998. The 9 patients were 1st degree relatives: two sisters, two sisters, two sisters and three brothers. The clinical course was similar in patients whether familiar or sporadic group, but average age in first was 10 yrs lower than in the latter group. Functional cervical dissection was needed only one time by lymphatic metastasis. Observed survival was 100% (follow up 92-16 months) and no specific complication was reported. Thyreoglobulin value was less than normal in every patients. Ret linkage analysis was always performed and no rearrangement was found; in 4 patients APC gene was detected but it was never seen. Case studies are consistent with an autosomal dominant trait that shows an high penetrance if associated with a permissive codominant trait. The authors believe that are necessary further studies on this occurrence. In papillary thyroid cancer familiarity was observed in 9.6%, than authors propose that relatives of thyroid papillary cancer should be underwent to screening.