There are different types of treatment for children and adolescents with tumors related to MEN2 syndrome. You and your child’s oncology team will work together to decide treatment. Many factors will be considered, such as your child’s overall health and whether the cancer has been recently diagnosed or has returned.
Your child’s treatment plan will include information about the cancer, treatment goals, treatment options, and possible side effects. It will be helpful to talk to your child’s cancer care team before starting treatment about what to expect. For help every step of the way, check out our brochure Children with Cancer: A Guide for Parents.
The types of treatment your child may receive include:
Surgery
Surgery to remove the thyroid gland may be done when a child has medullary thyroid cancer caused by MEN2 syndromes. The thyroid may also be removed to prevent the development of medullary thyroid cancer.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to block the action of specific enzymes, proteins, or other molecules involved in the growth of tumor cells.
Selpercatinib and vandetanib are used to treat medullary thyroid cancer caused by MEN2 syndrome.
Learn more about targeted therapy to treat cancer.
Clinical trials
For some children, participating in a clinical trial may be an option. There are different types of clinical trials for childhood cancer. For example, a treatment trial tests new treatments or new ways of using current treatments. Supportive care and palliative care trials look for ways to improve quality of life, especially for those who have side effects from cancer and its treatment.
You can use the clinical trials search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting participants. The search allows you to filter trials based on the type of cancer, your child’s age, and where the trials are performed. Clinical trials supported by other organizations can be found at the ClinicalTrials.gov website.
Learn more about clinical trials, including how to find one and join one, at Cancer Clinical Trials Information for Patients and Caregivers.
Treatment of tumors caused by childhood MEN2A syndrome
There is an increased risk of medullary thyroid cancer, an aggressive form of thyroid cancer, in people with MEN2A syndrome. Children with MEN2A syndrome and certain changes in the RETIRED Gene usually has surgery to remove the thyroid before age 5 to reduce the chance of cancer forming or spreading. Treatment for pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism is also given as needed.
Treatment of medullary thyroid cancer in children with MEN2A syndrome may include:
Treatment of tumors caused by childhood MEN2B syndrome
There is an increased risk of medullary thyroid cancer, an aggressive form of thyroid cancer, in people with MEN2B syndrome. Babies with MEN2B syndrome and certain changes in the RETIREDGene usually undergoes surgery to remove the thyroid and reduce the chance of cancer forming. Treatment for pheochromocytoma and other conditions is also given as needed.
Children with MEN2B syndrome who have medullary thyroid cancer may be treated with:
Treatment of recurrent tumors caused by childhood MEN2 syndrome
If MEN2 syndrome-related cancer comes back after treatment, your child’s doctor will talk with you about what to expect and possible next steps. There may be treatment options that can shrink the cancer or control its growth. If there are no treatments, your child may receive care to control the symptoms of cancer so that he or she is as comfortable as possible.
