Abstract
Inherited mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, which encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase,
predispose individuals to the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) cancer syndromes.
The major component tumor of these syndromes is medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
To date, somatic mutations in RET have been identified in tumors from individuals
with MEN 2 finding. RET M918T mutation is present in 95% of the MEN2B cases, and approximately
50% of sporadic MTCs harbor this mutation. We performed a mutational analysis in 17
cases of Medullary thyroid carcinoma, the somatic missense mutation at codon 918 of
RET was found in 2 of the 17 MTCs, and one case presented MEN2 phenotype including
MTC. The percentage of RET M918T mutation is similar in Mexican MTC patients to other
series, although other mutations could be implicated in our population.
Key words
Thyroid cancer - medullary thyroid cancer - NEM2B - RET mutations - 918 codon of exon
16 at RET gene