Screening for medullary cancer of the thyroid in France.

Screening of medullary cancer of the thyroid (MCT) in France relies on a collaborative work since 1982. The diagnosis of the index case relies on the detection of calcitonin in the tumor as well as on assay of circulating CT. A common protocol is used for patients and families. The familial screening is systematically carried out, even in apparently sporadic MCTs. A pentagastrin CT stimulation test is asked for all family members, whatever the age. All the data are collected by regional coordinators and centralized in a national register. Until 1987, 1031 MCT cases have been recorded, including 226 familial cases belonging to 62 families (29 MCT only, 29 MEN IIa and 4 MEN IIb).