Fact 7: Unraveling the Uncommon Nature of MTC
Despite its significant health impact, MTC remains a relatively rare form of cancer. Accounting for only about 1-2% of all thyroid cancers, MTC is indeed not as commonly encountered as its counterparts such as papillary and follicular thyroid cancers. Yet, its rarity does not diminish its relevance.
One of the challenges that come with rare diseases like MTC is the potential delay in diagnosis. Owing to its uncommon nature, clinicians may not immediately consider MTC when presented with a patient showing relevant symptoms, leading to potential delays in treatment. This further emphasizes the necessity for increased awareness and knowledge of MTC among healthcare professionals.
Moreover, research into rare diseases often lags behind that of more common conditions. However, the rarity of MTC has not precluded advancements in understanding its genetics, diagnosis, and treatment. (7)
