Ohio State researchers are working to improve the treatment of medullary thyroid cancer, a rare and sometimes aggressive form of the disease. Medullary thyroid cancer occurs in approximately five percent of patients, and can present significant challenges. “It more often spreads to lymph nodes, and you can even have metastasis at times to the liver, lungs, bone and brain,” Nolan Seim, MD, says. Symptoms of medullary thyroid cancer include isolated thyroid nodules that can grow large in size, with family history being a potential risk factor. Ohio State researchers are conducting clinical research at the OSUCCC – James as part of their effort to improve outcomes for patients. “The trial actually treats these cancers before surgery,” Seim says. “You want treated at a multidisciplinary academic center like The James at Ohio State.”