Collect whole blood in a purple top (EDTA) tube.
5 ml
3 ml
Refrigerate sample until shipment. Send the sample at room temperature with overnight delivery for receipt Monday through Friday within 24 hours of collection.
Whole blood can be refrigerated until shipment.
Heparinized specimens, severely hemolyzed specimens, frozen, clotted or possibly commingled specimens, blood in non-sterile or leaky containers, mislabeled or inappropriately labeled specimens.
Do not heat, freeze or centrifuge blood before shipment. Refrigerate sample until shipment.
Mon - Fri 9:00am to 4:00pm
2-3 weeks
81403
Clinical Features:
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) is an autosomal dominantly inherited cancer disorder classified in to three subtypes: MEN 2A, MEN 2B and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). All three subtypes carry a high risk for development of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MTC). The onset of MTC is in early childhood in MEN 2B and early adulthood in MEN 2A.
MEN2A is characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and parathyroid hyperplasia. MEN2B is characterized by bilateral medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, diffuse ganglioneuromas of the intestinal tract, mucosal neuromas, and skeletal abnormalities. Symptoms of MEN2B are evident within the first decade of life and progresses rapidly.
Molecular Genetics:
Approximately 95% of families with MEN 2A have a mutation in exon 10 or 11 of the RET proto-oncogene. Approximately 95% of individuals with the MEN 2B phenotype have a single point mutation in the tyrosine kinase of the RET proto-oncogene at codon 918 in exon 16. Approximately 85% of patients with FMTC have an identifiable mutation in exons 10, 11, 13, 14 or 15 of the RET proto-oncogene.
Test Methods:
Sequence analysis of the mutation previously identified in a family member will be performed.
Detection Rate:
The analytical sensitivity is close to 100% for point mutations by DNA sequencing.
Results:
Test results with interpretation will be mailed and/or faxed to the referring physician following completion of the test. Additional reports will be provided as requested.
Utility:
The clinical utility of these assays is in confirming a clinical diagnosis of MEN 2A, facilitate pre-symptomatic testing of at risk relatives, confirm the need for clinical surveillance or surgery in patients positive for a mutation, and to facilitate prenatal diagnosis.
Whole blood in EDTA purple top tubes is the preferred sample. High molecular weight genomic DNA, cheek epithelial cells, or other samples containing DNA may be acceptable. Contact the laboratory for specific instructions regarding such samples before sending the sample.