Inherited aspects of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

The presence of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid in multiple generations of one kindred is a statistical impossibility as an occurrence of chance. However, traditional and molecular genetic analyses to date have failed to support the notion of a single gene mutation or identify one, in distinct contrast to medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Findings to date, outside of distinct multicancer syndromes, suggest the interplay of inherited susceptibility and other factors, such as environmental exposures. It is possible that the main identifiable genetic risk factors at this time are the presence of multinodular goiter or Hashimoto's thyroiditis within the family.