Advances in Management of Aggressive Thyroid Cancer: Medullary and Advanced Thyroid Cancer

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare yet aggressive form of thyroid cancer, accounting for 5–10% of all thyroid malignancies but disproportionately contributing to 13.4% of thyroid cancer-related deaths. Similarly, advanced well-differentiated thyroid cancers, characterized by nodal recurrence or distant metastases, represent 5–10% of well-differentiated cases and are associated with significantly diminished disease-free survival. The management of these aggressive subtypes remains highly challenging, necessitating a deeper understanding of their clinicopathological features and underlying mechanisms. Ongoing research continues to explore these critical areas, but key findings, particularly those related to tumor aggressiveness remain subject to debate within the international scientific community.

This Research Topic aims to address key challenges associated with aggressive subtypes of thyroid cancer. It seeks to investigate clinicopathological factors linked to tumor aggressiveness, explore distinct elements contributing to poorer clinical outcomes and survival, and highlight genetic research identifying novel biomarkers of aggressiveness. Additionally, the focus includes advancements in targeted therapies driven by molecular discoveries, with the goal of improving treatment strategies. Submissions that propose innovative approaches with the potential to transform diagnostic and therapeutic practices for aggressive thyroid cancer are highly encouraged. Themes of interest include, but are not limited to

• Clinicopathological Predictors of Aggressiveness: Studies exploring factors such as tumor morphology, molecular profiles, and immune microenvironment associated with aggressive progression and poor clinical outcomes in medullary and advanced thyroid cancers.

• Genetic and Biomarker Discovery: Research identifying novel genetic mutations, epigenetic alterations, and molecular biomarkers linked to tumor aggressiveness, prognosis, and therapeutic targets in aggressive thyroid cancer subtypes.

• Advances in Targeted Therapies: Investigations into the efficacy and mechanisms of novel therapeutic agents, including kinase inhibitors, immunotherapies, and personalized medicine approaches tailored to molecular and genetic profiles.

• Innovative Diagnostic Tools and Strategies: Development and validation of cutting-edge diagnostic technologies, imaging techniques, and molecular assays to improve early detection, prognosis assessment, and treatment planning for aggressive thyroid cancers.

We invite manuscripts in various formats, including original research, reviews, perspectives, hypotheses and theories, methods. Submissions should critically present novel findings and insights into the diagnostic and therapeutic management of aggressive thyroid cancer subtypes

Keywords: Medullary, Thyroid, Cancer, Diagnosis, Treatment, Advances

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.