Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) types 2A and 2B are rare genetic diseases, which lead to the development of medullary thyroid cancer, usually in childhood. Surgery is the only standard treatment.
Patients with medullary thyroid cancer can be cured only by thyroidectomy, but only when it is performed at a time when the tumor is confined to the thyroid gland. Traditional chemotherapy is not effective in this cancer.
The PET Section has developed a clinical trial with the targeted agent vandetanib for children and young adults with medullary thyroid carcinoma and is currently ongoing.
Contact Information
If you have questions regarding the Phase I and II trials for refractory cancers including medullary thyroid carcinoma, Children’s Oncology Group Phase I consortium trials, or Neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2 trials trials, contact either of the people listed for that type of trial.
Phase I and II trials for refractory cancers including medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Trish Whitcomb (phone: 301-496-0128, e-mail: whitcomt@mail.nih.gov)
Children’s Oncology Group Phase I consortium trials
- Anne Goodwin (phone: 301-594-4762, e-mail: goodwina@mail.nih.gov), or
- Wendy Goodspeed (phone 301-594-4762, e-mail: goodspew@mail.nih.gov).
Neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2 trials
- Andy Gillespie (phone: 240-760-6185, e-mail: gillesan@mail.nih.gov), or
- Andrea Baldwin (phone 201-594-9976, e-mail: baldwina@mail.nih.gov)
Staff
- Brigitte C. Widemann, MD
- Meredith K. Chuk, MD
- Eva Dombi, MD
Nurse Practitioners
- Andrea Baldwin, CRNP
- Joanne Derdak, CRNP
Research Nurses
- Andy Gillespie, RN
- Wendy Goodspeed, RN
- Anne Goodwin, RN
- Trish Whitcomb, RN
- Kate Tepas Wise, RN
The multidisciplinary team at the National Cancer Institute consists of:
- pediatric oncologists
- nurse practitioners
- research nurses
- radiologists
- neurologists
- geneticists
- pathologists
- social workers
- dermatologists
- additional specialists
- NCI CCR Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Clinic