Unusual features of multiple endocrine neoplasia.

Abstract

In addition to the common presentations of the multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes, unusual organ involvement as rare manifestations of a single disease may occur. Among our patients we have identified four cases in which unusual features of MEN were present. In the first patient, bilateral adrenal cortical adenoma, parathyroid adenoma, multiple pancreatic tumors, and follicular thyroid carcinoma were observed. The second patient suffered from thymic carcinoid, parathyroid hyperplasia, gastrinoma, and pituitary adenoma. Additionally, one family was discovered in which medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), Hirschsprung's disease, and pheochromocytoma occurred and another family had MTC and ovarian cancer. Based on these observations, we stress the importance of screening for MEN syndromes in all patients with pathologic findings in any endocrine organ.