Is thyroid cancer genetic?

GENETICS. Hereditary conditions: Certain inherited genetic abnormalities have been associated with the development of different types of thyroid cancer: Inherited mutations in a gene called RET have been associated with the development of medullary thyroid cancers, and account for approximately one out of four cases. read more

For example, RET gene mutations are associated with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), which is rare but often hereditary. The gene PTEN is linked to Cowden Syndrome and mainly follicular thyroid cancer, and mutations in the gene SDH and epimutation of KLLN increase the risk for papillary thyroid cancer. read more

Higher rates of thyroid cancer occur among people with uncommon genetic conditions such as: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP): People with this syndrome develop many colon polyps and have a very high risk of colon cancer. read more