RET mutation status in medullary thyroid cancer(MTC) patients and the significance of genetic screening for mutations in their immediate relatives--a preliminary report.

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) 2A is an inherited disease characterized by the development of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma(PHCH) and hyperparathyroidism(HPT). It has recently been shown to be associated with germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. Genetic testing for RET mutations will, therefore allow the identification of people with asymptomatic MEN 2 who can be offered prophylactic thyroidectomy and biochemical screening as preventive measures.

Telomerase and telomere length in normal and malignant human endometrium as prognostic markers.

Telomerase activation and telomere length maintainence are thought to be essential for cellular immortality and oncogenesis. Normal human endometrium expresses significant telomerase activity in a menstrual phase dependent manner. In this report, we have evaluated telomerase activity and telomere length in post menopausal endometrial hyperplasias and endometrial cancers to study their usefulness as prognostic markers.