DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjmcr.2026.v14i02.017

Pages: 248-250

We report the case of an 84-year-old woman with medullary thyroid carcinoma associated with previously undiagnosed diabetes, presenting as an acute complication. Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor that develops from parafollicular C cells. It is common in elderly women. The patient complained of intermittent respiratory distress and a cervical swelling. Calcitonin levels were very high, and a cervicothoracic CT scan revealed heterogeneous hypertrophy of the right lobe containing multiple micro- and macronodular formations with foci of calcification and necrosis pulmonary metastases were present. Parathyroid hormone levels were elevated, suggesting probable multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). Blood glucose and urine dipstick tests revealed an initial complication of ketoacidosis. The diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma within probable MEN2 associated with diabetes was made. Due to the patient's age and the presence of pulmonary metastases causing organ failure, which clinically demonstrates the severity of ketoacidosis, in addition to the aggressive nature of medullary carcinoma in elderly patients, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit.